Self-Care is a Mother

Self-care is a mother! Consumerism has hijacked the concept of self-care and turned it into a multi-billion(!) dollar industry, marketing ‘quick fixes’ that are in actuality fleeting external care. External self-care can feel good in the moment but needs to be paired with the hard work of internal self-care (e.g., therapy) to truly elevate your well-being.

In episode 13 of___ Is a Mother, we discuss the difference between fake (external) self-care and real (internal) self-care. We take some time to give ourselves kudos for the difficult things we have been tackling to better our overall wellness, and we discuss what we wish we were doing more to support our true self-care. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• Self-compassion and taking time to celebrate wins big and small is an important form of self-care. 
• Setting boundaries around technology, work, and social media can reduce the overwhelm of constant stimulation, distractions, and comparison.
• Being productive is much more important than being busy, no matter what Corporate America has drilled into us. 
• Prioritizing quality time with your partner is necessary to nurture your relationship. 
• Going back to the basics and prioritizing rest and sleep is paramount to overall wellness. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Un)Well Documentary

Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD

Good Inside: Self-Care Is An Inside Job 

SB CBD Sleep Gummies

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

Ep 3: Returning to Work After Giving Birth is a Mother

Ep 10: Financial Planning is a Mother with Karen Holloway, Financial Advisor

NPR story: Real self-care takes real systemic change

Chapters

• 0:00 Self-care is a Mother
• 5:29 Jamie and PV discuss the concept of self-care, particularly in relation to the wellness industry and how companies are capitalizing on people's need for self-care.
• 9:49 Self-care is important but some practices, like frequent massages or baths, are not sustainable or impactful for long-term health.
• 13:43 Jamie shares an example of how they were journaling but not doing it properly, focusing on the external act rather than the internal work.
• 17:27 PV prioritizes self-care through exercise, therapy, and spending time with supportive friends and family.
• 23:31 People should give themselves credit for their achievements more often.
• 27:29 Jamie and PV reflect on their self-care and empowerment journey, recognizing the importance of taking back their power.
• 33:17 Parents prioritize creating space for co-parenting and self-care to avoid shouldering responsibilities alone.
• 37:02 There is a need for people to disconnect from electronics and find time to be bored in order to stimulate creativity and imagination.
• 43:40 Jamie struggles to differentiate between being busy and being productive, often associating the two as the same thing.
• 54:14 PV and Jamie want to prioritize having fun and nurturing their relationship, feeling that their current schedule and responsibilities have made it difficult to do so.