Self Care Remains to be Radical
If you’re feeling stressed, uncertain about the future, or even physically unsafe, stay calm — it’s not just you. .Society is in an intense space currently. Melting ice caps, inept governments, unpredictable job markets, a rising cost of living, and instagram models are on the rise. I know you feel all of this chaos because experts have declared an anxiety epidemic in America. That's right. The rates of stress and anxiety are diagnosed at such alarming and widespread rates that the ‘experts’ are now keeping track of our stress levels. Today, 1 in 5 people are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Most mental health professionals recommend some form of self-care. Whether it be; taking deep breaths, a moment of silence, mani-pedis, meditation, long baths, or a glass of wine, self-care has become an essential part of mental health. Self-care was once thought to be a concern for the wealthier class or those who can afford to take a day off or a moment to themselves. Mental health and self-care was not something tangible to those who had little space in their minds for anything but making ends meet.
Today, self-care is radical. It has become a trend. #SelfcareSunday or #SelfCare are the most buzzworthy topics amongst millennials. These hashtags are attached to 15 million posts on Instagram.
After practicing years of self-care without identifying it as self-care, I have determined how radical the act can be. Society honors piety and selflessness far above selfishness and prioritizing the health of ones well being. Self-care serves no one except those who give it.
Self-care remains radical because the act of putting your own needs and well being primary does not serve the greater good. The truth and appeal of self-care lie in the fact that one cannot fully give themselves to anything without having anything to give. It is no secret that we enter and exit this lifetime alone. We are taught that as soon as we arrive, we join this giant species. The human species and its society occupy the remainder of our lives. Although we did not seek this community, we are expected to participate in this society to survive in this life.
Participation in daily life sometimes feels like an uphill battle. However, realizing that the first person you knew was yourself may usher in this desire to do something totally different. Self-care is the difference we are taking part in. Self-care is radical because it rejects to the expectation to participate completely in this society at all times.
