If we go on any social media platforms, the primary advice we get about self-care from influencers is to get facial massages, buy scented candles, get the newest iPhone version or do anything involving consumption. It has become an indulgence in capitalism and a justification to ignore social injustice and humanitarian crises around the globe. With a scroll of a finger, we can easily erase the horrors that erupted before our screen and purchase the newest product of Stanley cups to cleanse our minds with more relaxing things. This is far from what self-care truly is.
The weaponization of self-care by corporations and social media influencers has distorted our definition of it, turning self-care into a form of hyperindividualism and using the preservation of our peace of mind as an excuse for our motivated ignorance about societal issues.
The true purpose and definition of self-care is not what influencers and corporations sell us. The origin of self-care took the form of a medical concept used by doctors to encourage patients to be active agents for their healing and treatment. It was then popularized and politicized by the Black Panther movement in the 1960s and 70s to preserve one’s mental health while fighting against the injustices and inequality in society. It was never about indulgence and luxury and an excuse to shelter ourselves from the horrors around the world. It was and should be a technique for self-preservation and self-empowerment as we navigate the labyrinth of social injustices that affect us all.
Many of us have heard the saying “Ignorance is bliss.” This quote has positive connotations; after all, too much knowledge can be dangerous. However, practicing this in every aspect of our lives can lead us to hyperindividualism, the excessive desire to disconnect from society and act hyper-individualistically without regard for others. We would rather be alone with our thoughts and withdraw from society than face the realities of the world in which we live.
In a TikTok video by @underthedesknews, she encouraged her viewers to “stay off social media for the weekend” as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fully mobilizes its forces to enact its genocide on Palestinians. As practical as staying off social media sounds, it only fuels our motivation to be apathetic to one another. Yes, this news does stir discomfort and anxiety within us, but the truth is, these issues are bound to be uncomfortable. That is a reality we have to face.
By isolating ourselves and shutting our eyes to these atrocities in the name of “self-care”, there presents a danger of us falsely portraying ourselves as victims of these sufferings. Far away from any danger, we need days off of class or a brand new thing for the sake of self-care. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people live with bombs dropping over their heads instead of rainfall, with children sent to mass graves instead of classrooms. This may be a hard pill to swallow but to realize this is to find true empathy, and that should not be an aperiodic trait found in only a select few but a standard practice we all should strive for and embody.
As we brace for increasingly turbulent times ahead, engaging with our community is more important than ever before. Giving ourselves time to process and grieve for what ought to be grieved and taking care of our mental, physical and emotional health are essential and non-negotiable. However, that can never be truly achieved by constantly turning our heads away from issues that harm and affect those around us.
While the loneliness and disconnection epidemic continues to creep into our daily lives, deepening the discord between us, we must actively choose to move away from hyperindividualism and our distorted definitions of self-care. Instead, we must emphasize the importance of connecting and finding solace in our community. No matter how tempting it is to close our eyes and isolate ourselves from the cruel realities of the world, we must remember that we can only confront them by keeping our eyes wide open.
