“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde
Mental health remedies have taken the middle and upper classes by storm under the modern moniker “self-care.” However, lately, self-care has been redefined as buying things until you feel better. Big brands are capitalizing on the rise of self-care as a practice, marketing more and more products toward younger, richer people, and consequently ignoring many of the people who need the benefits of self-care the most; this makes self-care seem like an infeasible luxury rather than an obtainable and wholly beneficial practice.
We live in a capitalist world; commodification is inevitable. But despite the self-care industry trying to cash in on our insecurities, we can still choose to love ourselves as we are, in whatever way is healthiest. Regardless of some of the questionable motives behind the movement, the global recognition of self-care is, ultimately, a good thing.
I am guilty of occasionally dismissing the importance of self-care, trivializing it as a mere luxury. Despite what I may think from constantly being exposed to the idea of self-care through ads on my computer, TikTok discourse, and conversations with friends, the importance of self-care is not always obvious to others. If simple practices like daily gratitude or face masks can help people, even save a life, doesn’t that inherently outweigh any silliness involved? Taking care of oneself is both a valid and vital practice. It is not mere materialization of preserving mental health but tangible, sustainable practices that will directly correlate to increased health and happiness.
As high schoolers, it is ideal for our images to appear stressed at all times. Being “booked” and busy means that you’re cool and important and that everyone is vying for your time and attention. However, constant stress is not sustainable. Self-care is key to maintaining a healthy mind and body and can be practiced in countless ways. After all, sentiments like “maintain a healthy sleep schedule” and “practice gratitude” are continually repeated for a reason.
Various self-care practices are backed by science to genuinely improve your physical and mental well-being. For me, practices like meditation, applying lavender oil, and consistent exercise have noticeably improved my lifestyle. One might argue that the privilege to devote time to such activities is unattainable, but for me, doing so is achievable when I prioritize taking care of myself, especially over unhealthy practices I might inadvertently choose instead. I used to often ask myself, “Why do I feel like this?” and then realize, “Oh, I haven’t gone outside today.” Self-care habits as simple as spending time outdoors can be the difference between stress and relief.
The more we engage in public conversation about these practices, the more accessible self-care becomes. It is critical for those who believe they do not have the time, resources, or knowledge to self-administer these healing practices to know that they can. Self-care is achievable, and everyone deserves access to the basic human right of taking care of oneself without concerns about cost or convenience.
