The Real Meaning of Self-Care and Why It Matters

It is not to be confused with consumer offerings such as spas and retreats that are ultimately temporary fixes.

- Chong Siow Ann

Of late, the curse "May you live in interesting times" feels particularly apt. Amid the chaotic upheaval of the world order—an unsteady global economy, war flaring across regions, climate volatility and other disruptions, including the personal loss of someone I held dear—I find myself gripped by angst about the future. Inexplicably, the term "self-care" surfaced in my mind. It is something I often hear from my younger colleagues when they take time off to "refuel, recharge and reconnect". Until recently, I would groan inwardly. I am not sure if this judgmental reaction—which comes as quick as a reflex—is typical of my generation, where the idea of prioritizing one's own needs feels self-indulgent. But now, many believe the opposite: that to truly care for the people and things we love, we must first care for ourselves. Self-care, then, is not selfishness.

The notion of "self-care" dates back to the ancient Greeks such as Socrates and other classical thinkers, who urged their contemporaries to "cultivate the self" or "care for the soul".

The term was repopularized in the 1970s and 1980s by people of color and queer communities in America as an assertion of one's worth and dignity—an act of resistance against dominant, oppressive structures.

Starting in the mid-2010s, the idea of self-care was co-opted by consumer culture and shed its political undertones to be about personal wellness. The expansion of the consumer internet—populated by influencers—created a universe awash with advice, tips, products, programmes and services, transforming self-care into a mainstream cultural phenomenon and an aspirational, deluxe lifestyle.

BEYOND A QUICK FIX TO REAL SELF-CARE

But consumer offerings such as superfoods, detox cleanses, meditation apps, spas and retreats are ultimately temporary escapes.