My Argument Against Self-Care
The article discusses the concept of self-care and how it can be isolating, with individuals being expected to take care of themselves without support from others. The author suggests that instead of telling people to practice self-care, we should show up for them and offer community care. By doing so, we can break the cycle of isolation and prioritize supporting one another in times of need.
- ▪The author's friend Anna was working hard and needed a rest day, but was hesitant to take one until the author offered to rest with her.
- ▪The concept of body-doubling for productivity can also be applied to rest, where individuals support each other in taking breaks.
- ▪Modern society can be isolating, and people often keep their challenges to themselves, making it difficult to prioritize showing interest in friends and neighbors.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
← WritingpersonalMy Argument Against Self-CareJune 25, 2026·2 min read#communityI have a friend, let's call her Anna. Anna has been working her ass off on multiple projects and commitments; and she has an incredibly significant milestone this coming Sunday. I told her a few times: hey, you should take Monday as a rest-day. She brushed me off, said "sure sure" and moved on in the conversation. We continued on talking, but my mind was stuck on my suggestion and her response - here, I'm expecting Anna to do the hard work of caring for herself. I took her amazing achievement, her maybe-it's-not-enough feeling she expressed, and I threw it on her - she should just feel better, but herself. I stopped the conversation. I checked my calendar and then I told her: hey, I'm going to rest with you.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Shirahaddad.
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