Do you have self-care rituals? These women are sharing some of their favorite routines:
Sasami Ainsworth (SASAMI), Musician
What does the term “self-care” mean to you?
“It’s something I have become more in-tune with as I’ve gotten older and have more to take on. Also, as I’ve gotten to know myself, I can sense more quickly when I’m losing my balance. There’s also long-term and short term self-care. For example, I’ve had eczema my whole life, and as I’ve grown up, I have learned certain triggers for flare-ups, like stress, sugar, and smoking. For my long-term self-care, I avoid those things, but sometimes we make exceptions for short-term wellness—like eating some damn cookies because sometimes you just gotta to get through the day.”
How do you feel about the way in which “self-care” has been commercialized within the modern wellness space?
“I think it’s probably like kale getting popular. Sometimes things that should just be a part of our general wellness only get attention by becoming a commercialized craze. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the concept of self-care being mainstream. I would guess the current growth in attention on self-care correlates with patriarchal structures, beauty standards, and societal norms breaking down. “
How are you practicing or applying “self-care” into your own life at this current time?
“For me, caring for others and spending time with friends and family is important to my mental health, so I have been trying to FaceTime with as many people as possible—balancing staying connected, but also not spending too much time on my phone is the key. I have been making art, drinking water, dancing, reading and writing music. I’ve also been organizing my finances and finishing up my taxes—I think finances and other bureaucratic stresses can be self-care areas that doesn’t get talked about enough.”
Shannon Maldonado, Founder & Owner of Yowie
What does the term “self-care” mean to you?
“For me, it’s about being nicer to myself. I used to define it by face masks and objects, but now it’s just about giving myself space to just be without self criticism or comparison to others. I’d love for us to accept that it varies for each person. The homogenization of how we should feel, react to things, or handle stress due to social media is something that I hope will change in the future.”
How do you feel about the way in which “self-care” has been commercialized within the modern wellness space?
“At this point, the term ‘self-care’ feels so muddled and more of a marketing tool than anything. It feels similar to so many brands grabbing onto ‘sustainable’ as a virtue signal to the consumer, yet it often is just about profits and status.”
How are you practicing or applying “self-care” into your own life at this current time?
“As a small business owner, I find that I am not always the best at taking care of myself. In the past, I’d constantly make excuses for why my time or health wasn’t as important as moving my brand forward, or finishing up this one last important email or design file. Then I got sick three times this winter and realized my body was asking (read: begging) me to slow down.
While in quarantine, I haven’t had a choice but to listen to that inner voice and take things at a slower pace. I’m still adjusting a month into self-isolation, but I am feeling more healthy and sleeping better than I have in a long time. My boyfriend and I are cooking every meal together and spending more time just getting to know one another. My version of self-care currently looks like reading long articles online, training with the Nike Training Club, and watching and reviewing movies from the Criterion Channel. I also have said no to many things while in here and allowed myself to be unavailable as I adjust to all that’s happening. That part especially feels so good.”
Salem Mitchell, Model
What does the term “self-care” mean to you?
“Self-care for me means doing whatever I need to do to make myself feel the most happy and healthy at that time. There are times where self-care for me is spending time with loved ones, disconnecting from social media, eating healthier foods, going on a hike, or getting a facial. Other times self-care is sleeping in, crying, listening to loud music, drinking wine, or jumping on the couch.”
How do you feel about the way in which “self-care” has been commercialized within the modern wellness space?
“On one hand, I think the concept of self-care has positive intentions and being broadcasted on social media, in publications, and commercialized overall can be potentially beneficial. It may normalize and encourage the idea. However, on the other hand, it can be confusing because self-care can’t really be defined or spread to the masses in one form. We’re all individuals who have to tend to our individual needs.”
How are you practicing or applying “self-care” into your own life at this current time?
“During this strange time, I’ve been very kind to myself. It was a bit of a back and forth at first. I felt like I needed to get a lot done. I thought I was going to be waking up super early, getting dressed up, exercising everyday, and cleaning every single inch of my house, but I’ve removed those pressures from myself and it’s actually made me more productive. My self-care has more so been about getting dressed up when I feel pretty and taking a day off from exercising sometimes because I don’t have to force myself to stay on an imaginary schedule. The only strong consistencies are doing my skincare routine everyday, reading a few chapters of a book each week to pull me away from all the screens in my house, and staying in touch with all of my family members.”
I thought I was going to be waking up super early, getting dressed up, exercising everyday, and cleaning every single inch of my house, but I’ve removed those pressures from myself and it’s actually made me more productive.
Riya Hamid, Visual Artist & Writer
What does the term “self-care” mean to you?
“I’m sure the term self-care was well-intended in its conception, but sadly I think it has adopted a more neoliberal approach intended for us to purchase more products or view ourselves in relationship to the capitalist framework itself. It’s all very insidious and very much a double-edged sword.”
How are you practicing or applying “self-care” into your own life at this current time?
“Self-care to me is peering internally and asking myself if my needs are being met, if I’m synchronized with what my body and mind are telling me, receptive to difficult truths, but also acknowledging the need to be tender and compassionate—not just towards myself, but to others.
I believe self-care also means self-accountability. It means doing the gritty work of tapping into what’s really going on—why am I feeling this way, what systems are in place that keep me tethered to these unsettling feelings, and what can truly provide relief? For me, this looks like spending quality time in solitude—reading, watching selections from Criterion, focusing the best I can on my breathing, and doing the best I can to engage with those who are closest to me—because we are nothing without one another. We need another and always will, especially in times like these.”
Miski Muse, Founder of Skintellects
What does the term “self-care” mean to you? Do you believe in it as a concept?
“Lately, it has meant that I’m taking better care of my mental health as a result of everything that’s going on. I am meditating more, I am reaching out to loved ones who fill me with joy, I am stepping out for fresh air in my backyard. It brings me peace of mind when I take care of myself and don’t obsess over what is happening in the world every minute.”
How do you feel about the way in which “self-care” has been commercialized within the modern wellness space?
“I believe it has been entirely too commercialized and lost its true meaning along the way. I can’t sit here and tell people what self care is vs. what commercialized self care is, but I like to stick to what feels authentic. I hope that people are able to find what works for them and not necessarily what they see on Instagram working for the next person.”
How are you practicing or applying “self-care” into your own life at this current time?
“I like to think I am always in a state of self-care. It is a big part of my life that grounds me. No matter what kind of day I may have, I know I have a list of things that can calm me down. Recently, I’ve been making more at home masks, learning to braid, making playlists, writing, doing yoga everyday, and hanging out with my family. All of these things center me and are a part of my ‘self care’ routine.”
Hellen Yuan, founder of HELLEN
What does the term “self-care” mean to you?
“To me, self-care is setting an intention to nourish my mental, emotional, and physical health through various methods that raise my vibration. When we are stressed, anxious or in fear, this affects our energy and lowers our vibration. Self-care could look like: setting boundaries against negative energy, creating space for ourself to be able to recharge, and staying in tune with your body’s needs. Set forth deliberate actions to meet those needs.”
How are you practicing or applying “self-care” into your own life at this current time?
“I wake up in the morning and put on my headset, listen to my sound bath from Dynasty Electrik, and with my eyes closed, I use my aromatherapy inhaler on each nostril, inhaling a deep breath of beautifully scented oils. I make a daily tonic juice in the morning, drinking different colors throughout the week to give my body vitamins from a natural source of vegetables and fruits.
I focus on making colorful, whole foods, and go on regular walks and hikes. In the middle of the day, when I am working, I go into the backyard and stretch or sit to meditate in the sun for five minutes. In the evening I listen to my sound bath again, and end each day with the inhaler.”
