It’s a super quick one from me this episode. I talk about the commodification of self-care and wellness, and how it looks like spending £7 on protein smoothies, pricy jade rollers and £20 yoga classes. It’s quite the contrast from the origins of self-care where activists, particularly black and women’s rights activists, turned to self-care for survival.

Granted I love these things (I’m a sucker for a smoothie after my reformer pilates class!), however it’s important to not allow the idea of self-care to be lost in marketing messaging and spending as it’s an action after all…

How I see it is this - treat yourself to CBD oils or that lavender scented sleep-spray or jade roller, but let’s get the actions down first. For me, some of the things that make up self-care are journalling, turning inwards and listening to my body, self-discipline, setting boundaries and great sleep. Nevertheless, to get the great sleep my body truly needs, I felt the need to buy a weighted blanket and a blackout eye mask recently!

The articles I quote in the episode:

A history of self-care - http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2017/04/the_history_of_self_care.html?via=gdpr-consent

Why the commodification of self-care might actually be a good thing - https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/soul/article/44463/1/commodification-self-care-good-thing

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