Why Self-Care Isn't About the Face Masks and Baths

As millennials, we sometimes get caught up in the trends and hot topics driving society today. Fortunately and unfortunately, one of those trendy topics has become self-care. With trends, comes monetization and one of the things that can easily fall into that realm is self-care.

I previously had an idea about self-care, especially as I started to speak about it more often and in more spaces; however, I can say I had it slightly wrong. I was right about the time that you spend on yourself and that self-care does not have to cost money. I was also right in the actionable things that I was doing in the name of self-care. Where I was wrong though, was how I shared these thoughts, ideas and actionable items with you.

Yes, I do enjoy a face mask and body scrub and call it self-care, but for me, the time spent doing those tasks, although relaxing is not the intention behind the act. What makes the face mask and body scrub self-care for me is the intention to reclaim my clear and smooth skin. What we understand about stress is the impact that it has on your body and sometimes that comes with breakouts and blemishes. It is my intention to take care of my skin by using and/or purchasing/investing the necessary products to resume it’s previous clarity. That is self-care.

Another self-care practice that I have engaged in is budgeting. It doesn’t feel good to live check to check. Although this is not a skill that I have mastered as yet, I do enjoy knowing that I have enough money to last me until the next check and to do so comfortable. The intention is to live within my means and be comfortable while doing it. I can schedule my calendar and my time spent doing activities for myself and Aiden around knowing what is within the budget or is not.

This is why I have the focus on wellness. Knowing the 8 Dimensions of Wellness and what I need to do to feel as though I am fulfilling my needs in each is what drives my self-care practices. So yes, I may take a bath and do a body scrub, but that is because I want my dry skin to be exfoliated and hydrated. Yes, I will occasionally take my laundry to the wash-and-fold because I need to take time to focus on other tasks, rather than spending hours in the laundromat. I also wish to have my house clean and tidy, which makes me intentionally spend the time on other tasks.

Self-care is truly about doing the things that make you feel well. In order to be intentional about your self-care, you have to know what your wellness goals. If you are aware, you are able to do what is necessary to make you feel good and to achieve those goals.