Many of us have been conditioned by society to put others before ourselves, especially as women. The feminist movement has brought forward a new era of empowerment, telling us we don’t need to sacrifice our own needs to serve others.
However, in the name of feminism, it’s become easy to justify cutting out self-care. Some criticize pampering yourself and prioritizing your own well-being as “anti-feminist” behavior.
But is that really true? In this article, we’re going to explore the harmful effects of abandoning self-care in the name of feminism.
What happens when you don’t practice self-care? Often, burnout happens. When you’re perpetually tired and stressed, you won’t be performing at your best. This is true for every aspect of your life, whether it’s your job, your relationships, or your personal projects. By rejecting self-care, you’re sending a message to your subconscious that you’re not important enough to care for. This message can spiral into negative thinking about your self-worth. When you constantly focus your attention on others, you’re at risk of ignoring your own mental and physical health.
Many women today are feeling pressure to constantly give themselves to others, whether it be at home or work. Suddenly, taking the necessary time to properly take care of yourself can feel like a betrayal to the feminist cause. Some have even claimed that prioritizing your own requirements over your family and workplace is “selfish and lazy.” But this idea is harmful and still follows the patriarchal ideology we’ve been trying to escape from. Feminism is not about completely negating others’ needs in favor of your own. It’s about recognizing your own values and needs as equally important to those around you. The only way we’re going to change harmful societal patterns is by empowering each other to live authentic lives.
The trick to practicing self-care isn’t to replace one oppressive ideology with another. Self-care should be about taking time for yourself, not in reaction to anyone else’s requirements or needs, but simply because you recognize the value of your own well-being. It’s not about indulging in temporary pleasures and selfishness, but about respecting yourself enough to take care of your own physical and mental health.
Self-care is an integral aspect of our lives that we often neglect in the pursuit of others’ interests. By denouncing self-care in the name of feminism, we perpetuate patriarchal ideologies that require women to overlook their own well-being. The key is to not give in to negative self-talk or feel guilty for taking care of yourself. By incorporating self-care into our daily routines, we are teaching ourselves and those around us that our well-being is not a commodity, but a fundamental aspect of living a fulfilling life.
