zanabism:

Really too bad that self-care has been so effectively kidnapped by like capitalism lmao bc it was formerly meant for people in empath-based and emotionally laborious roles to learn how to care for oneself in addition to professionally caring for others, not to mention to support (primarily women) those who are socialized to take on the burden of nurturing all members of their family before taking care of themselves. 

It’s really sad bc women especially are raised and positioned in society to learn how to care for *literally* everybody BUT themselves — girls are taught to physically and emotionally care for family, friends, superiors and even strangers before themselves. Wanting to put themselves first & asking for help is even taught to be a “selfish” thing for women to do lol — and self-care was literally revolutionary in encouraging women to care for themselves in a way that could prevent long-term physical and emotional damage.

But like. Self-care has been so infected with consumerism and hijacked that it’s not only been totally rewritten as a “treat yourself” kind of numbing practice via goods but it’s also become a way for workplaces to put the blame back on the people in emotionally laborious and otherwise damaging job roles to take care of themselves – i.e. “learn to take care of yourself” and “be sure to take care of yourself” rather than restructuring the workplace to prevent harm. all of a sudden its OUR job to know how to self-care rather than for workplaces to better their work environments to prevent damage lol