Self-care is Resistance
Self-care isn’t selfish!
There are many misconceptions when it comes to self-care, from what it is to why you do it. Self-care has long been seen as a luxury reserved for the rich, instead of what it really is: essential for everyone.
Self-care has become a buzzword, with many questionable examples unleashed into consumerism. If you were to develop an understanding of self-care strictly through social media, you would be under the impression that self-care is spa treatments and splurge purchases! When in reality, that’s not the self-care our bodies usually need. Americans struggle with taking true downtime, vacations, or other decompressions that truly make us feel rejuvenated that last beyond a purchase or nice vacation. In general, Americans:
Though drinking water and eating may seem very simple and “baseline” - and that’s the point! When you’re not taking basic care of yourself, you can’t help anyone else - and in fact, you may actually be hurting others and yourself. From lack of energy and focus to lowering your immune system, this can negatively impact your everyday life and overall health (and don’t forget, we’re in the middle of a pandemic - this is a very important time to take care of yourself!).
If you are prioritizing your physical health, self-care may look different from what we’ve suggested above, but it is still essential. If you are emotionally fed-up, self-care can be signing petitions, writing emails, making phone calls to elected officials, and donating. Self-care can be making sense of your role in this world, it can be actions that make you feel less hopeless. Self-care is different for everyone, and by definition, it is prioritizing your mental and physical health and carving out time to take care of yourself (just you! Not anyone else - can’t stress this enough!).
RESISTANCE
So, how is this resistance? Internalized trauma keeps us from expecting or demanding the equality we deserve. Trauma is not only a personal experience, it can be passed down through the generations, intergenerational and historical trauma is very real and hurts millions of people every single day. Instead of personal trauma which dissipates, historic, generational trauma festers, grows and often is not recognized by those causing the trauma. Oppressors use trauma and physical exhaustion as tools to keep marginalized people in their socially prescribed place, both consciously and unconsciously. As humans, we can only handle so much! Physical and emotional exhaustion can completely stop you hard in your tracks, pulling you away from your focus, your potential, your work, and your goals. It can negatively impact the quality of your work, to the point where you are no longer a threat to the status quo or oppressive systems. Real change takes focus, assembly, and determination, all of which comes from your ability to maintain your strength. Those protesting, seeking to create change in the world, working at non-profits or other places dedicated to social change must take care of themselves in order to keep this important work moving forward.
For example, if you want to provide simple first-aid services to protesters, you will need all of your energy to carry out these tasks. You will need to be detailed intending to their injuries, calm in the face of chaos, focused on maintaining safety, and energized to care for as many fellow protesters as possible. In order to show up and do this, you need to get solid sleep the night before, stay hydrated, eating right, and getting the right amount of nutrients. Without assessing and protecting your health, your work is at risk. In fact, your life and the future you’re fighting for are at risk. Self-care allows us to continue the work of resistance and social change, big and small.
TIPS
Self-care is one of those “easier said than done” issues. Leaving falsehoods of self-care and breaking bad habits is one of the most challenging aspects of this. This is why our first tip is to start small. Don’t overwhelm yourself into thinking self-care is not for you, or doesn’t fit into your lifestyle. Start by taking care of the most glaringly obvious negative habits in your life. Do a self-evaluation, we all have struggles, you most likely know exactly what you need to adjust in your life to be healthier. Start there, create a baseline for your wellness.
Next, keep yourself accountable! Knowing yourself, and the personal obstacles that keep you from positive growth are key here. When you plan your goals, keep in mind the things that will impede your progress. Knowing I am stubborn, instead of one reminder, I might need three. Customize your strategies to your personality and internal obstacles.
Lastly, be realistic in your planning! If you give yourself a month to get something done, set daily goals to break up the work. Short and long-term goals alike need to be broken up day by day, task by task, to ensure they are doable and add value to your life. Accomplishing small goals one at a time, promotes your progress and feeds your confidence, which will make accomplishing larger goals easier and more satisfying.
We care about you and hope that you’re prioritizing your well-being because you are important. Your voice is unique. Your perspective is powerful. You’re doing hard work every day, and we need you there. While it may seem selfish to focus on self-care right now, it’s not! Self-care is not a luxury to be pulled out only when things are stable. In stressful times, such as these, self-care could not be more important. Whether it be a simple assessment and realignment of your health or a completely new mentality, remember to take care of yourself every day. Make it a habit so it sticks. And please, please drink water, wash your hands, and get plenty of sleep!
Want more? See our Instagram live from June 19 (Juneteenth!) with Ashlynn Bell, speaker, activist, and Ph.D. student, where we discussed self-care as resistance.