Self-Care is an Outcropping of Capitalism
The self-care industrial complex is in many ways trying to profit off our burnout. But the workism episode of the Ezra Klein show opened my eyes to the idea that self-care itself is an example of how capitalism has permeated our lives. “Self-care” is what happens when leisure needs to feel productive. It rebrands relaxation into a virtuous activity. Now, instead of staring at the sky to relax, we meditate and gua sha our jawlines. Productive relaxation, optimizing ourselves so we can be more productive at work, live longer, and enhance the lymphatic drainage in our faces. I encourage you to rebrand your leisure time as leisure for the sake of leisure. Even better: leisure for no sake at all. Sometimes we work, and sometimes we rest. When you’re resting, just do what feels good, and enjoy it, the end.
