The Calming and Soothing Scents Of My Childhood

There’s a song by Kelly Clarkson that always makes me cry… and gosh, I’m already crying just thinking about it.

I’ll spread my wings
And I’ll learn how to fly
Though it’s not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won’t forget the place I come from

Sometimes it gets hard and I miss home. I especially miss my dad, which can seem silly because I usually talk to him on the phone every day, and often more than once.

Do you ever get sad thinking about what you’ve left behind? It’s the Law of Polarity (or Opposition) at work.

When I’m having one of those moments, I turn to my favorite memories… and I feel better because gratitude and love are energies of high frequency, feelings that help you tune into God.

I’ve purposely decorated my home with sights of my homeland. We speak Spanish and cook our vegan meals with a Dominican flare. I actively seek experiences that connect me to my childhood and take me back to my roots.

Neuroscience shows that there are smells that literally take you right back to your childhood and transport you right back home. One of my favorite scents is what we call in my homeland “Vaporú,” which is a popular way to call Vicks VapoRub.

As a Dominican, you must have a jar of Vaporú handy, because according to our abuelos and abuelas, VapoRub is the solution to every ailment and pain. And, of course, I still think they are right!

My grandpa, a man I deeply loved and admired, was the town’s healer, and he always carried VapoRub with him. I like to pretend that the VapoRub is extra strong, but the tears are truly out of nostalgia.

I love that, even though I spread my wings and flew far away from home, I still can do what my grandpa did, by using VapoRub when a cold threatens my precious little ones. I’m excited that now that Eliana is over two, she can also partake of its familiar touch and soothing vapors. The calming ingredients inside the jar really make a difference, providing relief instantly upon topical use, which means no side effects!

I know having a cold can feel like pure misery, especially when you can’t sleep,  or have a stubborn cough, congestion, discomfort, or a runny nose. The one thing we can all agree as moms that we dislike about motherhood is seeing our children sick.

But lovingly slathering a thick layer of Vicks VapoRub on their chest and throat is definitely a very beautiful experience, not only because of the scents of camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol but because it is in those moments that a child learns how loved and cherished he or she is. It is also one of those special moments in which we can be present with our children, and focus on their relief.

It’s such a wonderful experience for me to know that my daughters understand my relationship with VapoRub, and to imagine that they will too remember feeling pampered and cared for, just because of this aroma.

I really love staying connected to my heritage, to the legacy of those who came before me.

If you don’t have a tub of Vicks VapoRub with you, you can use this coupon and arm yourself with this amazing cold-busting “weapon.”

What are some calming and soothing scents that take you back to your childhood? Share with me in the comments below!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Vicks VapoRub and Latina Bloggers Connect. However, all opinions expressed are all mine.