Self-Care 101

The term “self-care” has become a buzzword plastered across social media feeds, accompanied by videos of expensive skincare routines, intricate yoga patterns, and meticulously made journals. It's easy to get lost in the sea of posts that forcefully advertise themselves as the ultimate solution to your self-care needs, bombarding you with messages like "This is THE routine you MUST follow!" These videos can leave us feeling confused about what “self-care” actually is; we can also feel pressured to 'maximize' our self-care routine, and the overwhelming amount of strategies suggested by social media can lead to decision fatigue, leaving us feeling overwhelmed with too many choices and unsure of how to efficiently use your limited free time. Self-care is supposedly our stress-relief strategy, but figuring out how to do it right ends up stressing us out even more. It's a total paradox, leaving us to question: what even is self-care?

Self-care is a deeply personal journey, unique to each individual. It's not a one-size-fits-all concept, and it's not about following a trend. It's about understanding and meeting your own needs, in a way that works best for you. For some, it might be a morning exercise routine, while for others, it could be night meditation before bed. Trying to categorize or define something as diverse as self-care seems counterintuitive, especially when it varies so much from person to person. With so many people and needs in the world, it’s almost impossible to have an all-encompassing definition. However, providing a basic understanding can offer a starting point. It’s important to, at least, grasp its basic idea since the word “self-care” gets tossed around like some kind of omnipotent cure for all problems. According to Danielle Rousseau, an assistant professor at Boston University and licensed therapist, self-care can be broken down into seven pillars: mental, emotional, physical, environmental, spiritual, recreational, and social. These pillars work together to keep our well-being stable.

What's important in practicing self-care is understanding these pillars and recognizing which areas require attention. For people dealing with stressful days, it might be a focus on emotional self-care, allowing them to feel and process emotions without judgment. Alternatively, it could involve a combination of mental, emotional, and physical self-care through activities like exercising and unwinding with a favorite Netflix series. The beauty of self-care lies in its versatility– there's no one-size-fits-all. It's about knowing what ‘thing’ makes you feel better. Whether it's a quiet walk in nature, a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend, or simply taking a moment to breathe deeply, self-care is doing whatever best fits your needs to nurture your well-being. In a world where hustle culture often glorifies productivity over self-care, it's essential to prioritize our mental, emotional, and physical health. Self-care isn't selfish; it's a necessity for persevering through tough days and balancing the good and bad. 

The next time you're bombarded with images of extravagant self-care routines on Instagram, remember that true self-care isn't about following trends or fitting into a mold. It's about listening to your needs, knowing what you want, and embracing whatever makes you comfortable. Self-care shouldn’t be treated as just another fleeting trend; It's something everyone does every day to muster up enough energy to keep going, day in and day out. By understanding the seven pillars of self-care and relating them to our own needs, we can create a more compassionate and fulfilling relationship with ourselves. Whenever you feel stressed, upset, or tired, take a moment to ask yourself: What do I need to feel whole? And there's no right or wrong answer– do only what feels right for you.