Self-Care On An Unwell Planet
How recognizing that our well-being is tied to the planet’s health evolved my approach to self-care.
When I first got on the self-care bandwagon, I used it as a band-aid solution to avoid facing my stress and productivity obsession, satisfy my need to “fix” myself, and sustain a life where I was always on the edge of burnout. It was the self-iest of self-care and reflected how little I felt like I belonged to myself, my communities and our planet.
Today, I have a way more expansive vision for my self-care: to actively build a mutually regenerative future where we can all flourish (me included!).
Here’s what this looks like in practice:
The cyclical self-care practices I do take into consideration the well-being of people and our planet
The purpose of my self-care is aligned with my deepest values–values I feel are essential pillars of a regenerative future, like reciprocity and belonging
The self-knowledge and self-trust I cultivate through the practices guide my path, so I can discern whether I’m on the right track toward my vision
THE BIG SHIFT
The purpose of my self-care transformed when I realized it’s impossible to become truly “well” on an unwell planet.
It’s an increasingly unavoidable truth: our ability to be well is wholly dependent on the well-being of our planet and all who live on it.
Sure, I can aspire to have perfect digestion, a gorgeous skincare routine and a superfood diet. But what’s the point if our air and water are polluted, if drought and disaster become an everyday occurrence, and our soils are depleted?
Rather than giving up on my self-care in light of this reality, I looked for how to expand my self-care to include community and planetary care.
DISCOVERING THE OPPORTUNITY
Once we realize that our well-being is interconnected with the well-being of all, we can start to see the ways we can take care of ourselves that also support the health of our communities and planet.
Crystals of unknown origin? Unlikely to support the well-being of the communities they were mined in unfortunately.
Choosing organic foods even when they’re not on the Dirty Dozen list? An easy way to support my health and the health of the communities and ecosystems where the food was grown.
These small decisions can seem insignificant. But when we start integrating planetary and community care through small shifts in the ways we care for ourselves, something entirely new becomes possible. We show our brains that the just, mutually regenerative future we envision is achievable–and we actively build that future by the choices we make today.
EVOLVING YOUR APPROACH
This approach to self-care is not about putting others’ needs ahead of your own.
As women and menstruators, we’re living in a man-made world that constantly takes more than it gives to us. You deserve care and nourishment.
But it’s an opportunity for you to consider how your self-care might care for you and the web of life, and how giving it a bigger purpose might lead you somewhere infinitely more beautiful.
It’s also not about throwing out everything you’ve been doing.
Instead write down a list of your existing self-care practices and audit them through using the following questions:
Do my self-care practices support or detract from others’ and our planets’ ability to be well?
How might these practices evolve to consider the well-being of my community and planet? What small changes can I make?
What is my purpose for wanting to be well?
What will I do with the well-being I cultivate for myself?
These questions have led me to walk away from some well-being tools, like essential oils and a yoga studio that had amazing classes but engaged in blatant cultural appropriation. They’ve also led me to tweak my existing practices, like taking my daily meditation practice outside to connect with nature, supporting a local organic farm through their CSA program, or looking for ways to support access for all people to the tools that have helped me.
The result has been greater connection, more joy, and a true knowing that I can embody the just future I envision even in the smallest daily practices while actively supporting my well-being too.
Photo Credit: Rafaela Lima
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This post is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the information provided should be construed as medical advice. If you have concerns related to your menstrual cycle, please consult a licensed health care provider.