I saw this tweet and I instantly was like yup, that's it, that's the tweet.
Self-care has become one of the biggest buzzwords. We use it as an excuse to treat ourselves after the smallest inconvenience, well at least I do. For example, if I get through one LSAT prep section, I'm like time for a nap... only to wake up hours later like Mr. Krabs wondering how I've managed to sleep through what could've been at least two more sections of testing material. Self-care is described as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's health. A more productive self-care practice can look like a visit to the nail salon after a long work week or a trip to the bookstore after a tough therapy session.
Self-care can be practiced in many different areas of your life to include emotional, physical, social, psychological, financial and spiritual self-care.
It is so easy to get caught up in the fast lane that life can take us on. Running between home, work or school, family, friends and sprinkle in a love life, and your hands are full. It was not until recently until I found out the key to self-care, which is collective self-care or community healing.
I've been so inspired and in awe of the many communities of healing that I am becoming a part of. To be in community with what has been primarily women of color, I feel seen, heard, and supported. I know that when I am in community with them, that it is judgment-free, but I also understand that crucial and sometimes hard conversations have to be had.
Collective Self-care and/or community healing is just what it sounds to be. It is the practice of preserving or improving one's health, but with the support of your people, your village. This village will be with you to love you, hold you accountable, and to walk with you as you are on your journey. Healing spaces can be created through online platforms, virtual meeting spaces like Zoom, messaging apps like GroupMe, in-person meetups, gyms, and even book clubs. It is important to be patient with yourself at all times because not all self-care is glamorous.
Collective self-care means knowing you can lean on someone and also making sure that someone can lean on you. Self-awareness is knowing what is going in and out of your body, mind, and spirit. It is setting and respecting your boundaries and not only taking time to be social but also taking time to rest.
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare." -Audre Lorde
What are some ways that you can transform your self-care practice? How will you begin to create those self-care communities and healing spaces? If you’re in those spaces, what does collective healing look like for you?
With love 💋,
Teryn Denae