Self-Care: A Revolutionary Act
Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash
Self-Preservation
Self-care for women, and BIPOC women in particular, can be difficult in a society that does not support our health and wellbeing. Poet and activist Audre Lorde presented the idea of revolutionary self-care for Black women decades ago. She states that caring for yourself “…is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation…” Finding self-care spaces that are welcoming for us can be challenging. Being happy and healthy in a world that often undermines our mental, emotional, and physical wellness is an act of self-preservation and can be extremely empowering.
Revolutionary Self-Care
Revolutionary self-care is more than massages and bubble baths. These activities are wonderful and certainly nurturing. I would also encourage us to think of self-care from a broad perspective. Consider creating a life that nurtures your happiness and wellbeing. Here are some questions to think about when including revolutionary self-care into your life.
- Boundaries
Are you setting appropriate boundaries with regards to your time and energy? Do you ignore your impulse to say no to sometimes? Do you feel resentful, overwhelmed and/or tired because of this? - Basic Needs
Are you giving yourself what you need when you need it? Do you rest when you are tired, eating when you are hungry, etc? Or are you ignoring your needs? - Create Nurturing Spaces
Do you enjoy spending time in your personal and professional spaces? Are there things in your environment that make you feel happy, calm, inspired, and invigorated? - Managing Overwhelm
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you making yourself a priority so that you have the energy and mental capacity to be present in your profession, with your family, in your relationships and other areas that of life that you feel are important to you?
Your Plan
These and many other questions can be useful to consider when creating a life that incorporates revolutionary self-care. Feel free to contact me for a complimentary 15 minute video call consultation to learn more about how I can help you implement your revolutionary self-care plan!