“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde
What is Radical About Self-Care?
Self-Care is political, radical, and controversial. Every self-help book and health and beauty company has a “self-care” line. Self-care is so prevalent in our society; is it possible for it to be viewed as radical? When did taking care of yourself become commercialized? Let’s look at some history.
“The origins of self-care first started to spread in the medical community in the early 1950s, but it wasn’t until civil rights activists, particularly The Black Panther Party began to use it as a form to “counter activist burnout” that it gained mainstream popularity.” (How the Black Panthers used self-care as a form of empowerment)
These freedom fighters created pathways for accessible healthcare, distributed healthy food, and created community programs. Mindfulness and yoga practice were taught to empower and teach people how to care for themselves. During the late 19th century, Japanese immigrants introduced America to Buddhism and meditation to the laboring class. In 1970, “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,” a compilation of talks by Shunryu Suzuki, was published. American Buddhism started among the hippy, Queer, working-class, and Black communities of California before spreading across the country and entering the American consciousness. Self-care is radical because it goes against the grain of American bootstrapping and rigid Puritan views. Putting yourself first, before your employer, before your partner, and before your government's expectations will always create tension and be seen as a political statement of self.
“If we don’t start practicing collective self-care now, there’s no way to imagine, much less reach, a time of freedom." - Angela Davis
What is the Difference Between Luxury Self-Care and Radical Self-Care?
Before going further with this topic, I want to start by stating that we need both luxury self-care and radical self-care! Luxury Self-Care is when you pick up a fashion magazine, see “Top Self-Care Habits'' on the cover, or walk down the aisle of your favorite big box store, and there are hundreds of brightly colored products advertised to reduce your stress. Bubble baths, spa vacations, and organic face masks are all luxury self-care options. There is nothing wrong with luxury and treating yourself as worthy of indulgence. The issue is when luxury becomes commercial. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to participate in self-care. Self-care isn’t a thing, and it’s not something you can buy; it’s a state of mind - habits and boundaries which you commit to putting yourself first. Radical self-care is when a new mother takes those five minutes to eat a healthy meal or shower. Radical self-care is when you take those personal care days at work for your own doctor’s appointments. Some days radical self-care is taking a shower when depression has taken over. We can all participate in self-care. You don’t need to be a yogi or “in to'' holistic health to take time for self-care, and you don’t need to buy anything.
Self-care is not selfish; it is decidedly the opposite of selfishness. The advice I give the most to my clients is that you can’t get water from an empty well. Filling your well (self-care) gives you the water (energy and resources) to help others. Self-care is how you tell the world that you matter, that you are here to be seen, and that your needs are important. Being seen is radical, and we all deserve to be seen. Radical self-care is how we honor our early freedom fighters and our ancestors and is how we honor ourselves.
What does Radical Self-Care Look Like?
Radical self-care looks different for everyone and often looks different from day to day. Radical self-care is anti-ableist, anti-ageist, and anti-racist. For some, radical self-care is a daily meditation and yoga practice. For others, radical self-care is taking their anti-depression medication. Positive behaviors like showering, eating vibrant foods, and joyful movement are all radical self-care. Sex and masturbation are radical self-care. Reading or listening to books for pleasure is radical self-care. Asking for help or delegating work is radical self-care. Taking moments in nature or spending time with loved ones is radical self-care. The list goes on. Radical self-care is when your needs, desires, and wants are met.
If you need help with creating a radical self-care routine, book a complimentary consultation with Sur-Thrive Wellness. Simply booking an appointment with me is an act of Radical Self-Care, as we will build a program tailored to you. Whether you are surviving or thriving, this is an opportunity to meet you where you are at.
My dear readers, May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you be loved.
In lovingkindness,
Krystal Linn, RMT, CHt, CLC
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Cited works:
Audre Lorde, self-care and its roots in Black history. (n.d.). MHT. https://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/blog/awareness/why-acknowledging-and- celebrating-the-black-feminist-origins-of-self-care-is-essential
Gershon, L. (2019, January 3). When Buddhism Came to America. JSTOR Daily. https://daily.jstor.org/when-buddhism-came-to-america/
Scott, C. (2022, March 11). How the Black Panthers used self-care as a form of empowerment. The Baltimore Times Online Newspaper | Baltimore News. https://baltimoretimes-online.com/living-well/2022/03/03/how-the-black-panthers-used-self-care-as-a-form-of-empowerment/
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, December 9). Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_Mind,_Beginner's_Mind
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