You Don’t Have To Practice Your Self-Care Out Loud

Mini rant ensuing in …

         At this moment in time, entire careers have been created by being visible. Most of our news, influences, arguments and more take place on public platforms. Everyone is scrutinized by the curated content they decide to post online. It is not lost on me that this includes myself, a person who is attempting to create both a career and her own space, in the digital world. This is not necessarily a negative thing. Social media and the likes can be very empowering and often serve as a catalyst in creating relationships that would have never come to be otherwise. However, I’ve noticed recently a trend of reminding people to take care of themselves, which is beautiful because we often need outside reminders for such things. But, I’ve also seen a lot of highly curated content, with vague, disingenuous dialogue, fronting as “self-care” rituals, or “self-care” reminders. This content serves no other purpose than to garnish views and to paint the picture of someone who is doing the work.

It doesn’t have to be a picture perfect, IG worthy moment.

I’d just like to remind all of my internet friends, you don’t have to practice your self-care out loud. It doesn’t have to be a picture perfect, IG worthy moment. It doesn’t have to be bath bombs, face masks and aromatherapy. It can be ugly, it can be a much-needed cry. It doesn’t always need beautiful fonts or color coordinated backgrounds. Taking care of yourself should not be for the viewing pleasures of others. Taking care of yourself publicly is meant to remind others, this is not a fight they tackle alone. It is incredibly difficult to remember this when so much of life is looking at how well others have it “together”. You don’t have to be visible when you don’t want to be, and when you do want to be visible, it doesn’t have to fit a certain aesthetic, as long as you’re taking care of yourself. Take your time, reach out when you need and want to.  My inbox is always open.

-C.