Many people have already said it, but we’re saying it again: Self-care isn’t just about bath bombs and facial masks.
Sure, these nice things can help us feel better at times. But, we should not always rely on them, especially if our problems are rooted in things that are far deeper and more complex than we can see.
This is why, in order to really make a difference, we should change the way we look at self-care. Instead of buying into the consumerist approach to it, we should do things more differently.
Take a break from social media
Social media has its way of making us feel down. Images portraying unrealistic standards of beauty still flood our feeds, making us more insecure about how we look. Posts of other people about their lavish trips and fancy things constantly remind us of what we cannot afford, too. And, of course, there are the so-called trolls who spread misinformation.
No wonder, being on social media can be really stressful. And, sometimes, these cons just outweigh the pros that once delighted and convinced us to sign up for our social media accounts.
This is where the need for social media detox comes in. From time to time, we need to take a break from social media in order to clear our minds. Sure, unfriending or unfollowing toxic people can also be a great idea.
Besides, the time we spend scrolling through our feeds and dealing with people that don’t spark joy can be used for other things that may be more productive.
Know what truly matters and understand the root of our problems
With capitalism, it’s easy to fall into traps set up by companies who only want more money from us. With their genius marketing gimmicks, they are able to convince us that we need the products they are selling, even if we really don’t.
To avoid this, we should constantly reflect on what truly matters to us as individuals. Do we really need that many clothes? Can we really wear all those shoes and skincare products? Do we really have to travel for travel’s sake?
Sometimes, we answer yes to each of these questions just because we are confused, and we don’t really know what we need or want. Or, perhaps we just feel like we’ve got nothing else to do to ease our burdens. And somehow, we hope that buying a lot of stuff or booking those trips would miraculously solve our problems.
Does it always have to be like this? Definitely, not.
In fact, we can do something about it. We can take a break and reevaluate our lives to see what really causes us stress and pain.
Our living conditions should be scrutinized, too, because it may be the very reason why we always have this urge to distract ourselves with mindless trips and purchases.
And, once we get to know more about ourselves, we’ll be able to figure out the best way to care for ourselves. This way, it is also easier to know when we finally need help.
Spend more time with the right people and say no more often
Being surrounded by the wrong people can do more harm than we can imagine. The world is already full of negativity, and we don’t really need more negatrons in life. So why not avoid them, right?
Besides, it’s actually a great form of self-care. Instead of forcing ourselves to deal with people who stress the hell out of us, making us crave instant pleasures disguised as proper self-care, why don’t we just limit our contact with these individuals?
Relationships should be reevaluated, too. It’s time to ask ourselves if it’s still worth staying in one, or if it is already time to let go.
Even how we deal with family members and friends should be assessed objectively. Sure, we love them. But, if they are too toxic that our mental health is already being compromised, maybe it’s time to distance from them as well.
Also, we can say no more often to others. Just because we can do something does not mean we should, especially if it is at the expense of our well-being.
It’s about time that we value our time and energy, choose our battles, and stop spreading ourselves too thin.
Love and care for our bodies
The whole body-shaming thing is so tiring, especially for women who are constantly told how to look.
Apart from blatant attempts of other people to comment on our physical features, there are also these subtle yet damaging messages that try to get to our heads through the different media we consume.
The thing is, we have to stop listening to these comments and messages. We also need to stop taking them into consideration when we are making decisions concerning our bodies. Instead, we should only listen to our own voices. This way, it will be much easier for us to love and care for our bodies.
Speaking of caring for our bodies, of course, we should not forget about the importance of physical health. While working on our mental health, it is also imperative that we get proper hydration, ample sleep, regular exercise, and proper nutrition.
Also, we should stop being ashamed of things that are perfectly normal. Menstruation, for example, is something menstruating individuals should be talking about more. It is only by accepting how our bodies work that we can truly accept them, love them, and give them the care they need.
See? Self-care is not so simple at all. It can even require some processes that can be uncomfortable.
Let’s be honest, though. Sometimes the best way to feel care for ourselves is to confront the very things that hurt us. Yes, it does not seem fun.
But it is rewarding in the long run, because it allows us to come up with long-term solutions.
There are also times when we need to take a stand and fight against the things that make our lives miserable, like capitalism, patriarchy, social injustices, and climate crisis. These things loom over our existence, and no amount of nice bath products or a number of trips to trendy destinations can make them go away.
So, we fight.
