Here Hannah discusses the difference between the often trendy self-care suggestions and hashtags and the action we need to take to truly nourish our selves and maintain our wellbeing.
"Self care is trendy at the moment, but there's something we aren't talking about: sometimes self care is a distraction. It's an escape from truly caring for ourselves by focusing on what looks good to the outside, caving to the mounting pressure that we "should" be checking off the list of activities endorsed as solving all of our problems. But to truly care for ourselves, we might have to do things that aren't so instagrammable. It might mean we spend time making a spreadsheet of expenses, or going to bed with a dirty kitchen, or letting go of the goals that are exhausting us instead of fulfilling us."
"I'm certainly guilty of "obligatory" self-care, and particularly in fields of health and wellness it's challenging to navigate what's helpful and what's simply more pressure to keep up the image. But every day we have the chance to choose the real ways of enriching our lives and restoring ourselves.
We can choose compassion for ourselves instead of unhelpful criticism. We can avoid toxic positivity and decide not to keep up with the fake friends that drain our energy. We can STOP justifying our procrastination and distractions as self-care and start parenting ourselves and making choices for long-term wellbeing.
We can choose a life that feels good over one that looks good. We can work towards meeting our own needs so we aren't anxious and dependent on other people. And we can learn how to be someone who knows that luxurious coffee orders, hot yoga, and bubble baths are ways to enjoy life, not escape from it."
Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahrosemtbc for more!