If you struggled to carve out time for “self-care” before the pandemic, finding it now seems nearly impossible. The pre-pandemic era allowed parents to rely on family members for support during emergencies, but those days are over. Many small businesses are closing due to staffing shortages, and in some areas, employees are working excessive hours to fill the gaps. Health issues within families are escalating, with delayed care becoming the norm. Healthcare workers are stretched thin, and hospitals are inundated with patients.
In this climate of chaos, the common refrain is, “Don’t forget to prioritize yourself! Your mental health matters!” As if we don’t already know this; as if time is a luxury we can afford, and COVID has vanished. We find ourselves overwhelmed, trapped in a cycle of trying to catch up thanks to the hurdles COVID has thrown our way. What once felt like a minor inconvenience now feels monumental. Children falling ill is no longer a quick fix; it’s a lingering concern. The anxiety of sending kids to school amid COVID worries is unprecedented and, for many families, is taking a toll on every front.
Despite the push for self-care, many of us struggle to meet even our basic needs, let alone those lofty ideals of self-care. While we are aware of the importance of taking care of ourselves and know we deserve it, the reality is that the notion of self-care can often feel out of reach. The well-intentioned standards of self-care often create a divide between those who can easily indulge in it and those who cannot. Originally introduced in the medical field in the 1950s to help institutionalized patients maintain dignity through basic self-care tasks, the term morphed into something quite different by 2015.
Now, the pandemic has stripped self-care of its glamour, pushing us to find comfort in the small moments, like enjoying a cup of tea or sitting quietly on the porch during a rainstorm. However, the harsh truth remains: self-care can feel like a privilege that many cannot afford, not just financially, but in terms of time and mental capacity.
Dr. Alex Martin, a psychiatrist and contributor to major publications, notes that self-care has become a catch-all concept, shifting the burden of mental and emotional well-being onto individuals while societal support systems crumble. While I’m not dismissing the importance of self-care, it’s crucial to recognize that for some, pursuing these ideals might feel like yet another task on an already overwhelming to-do list.
Every day brings fresh expectations that often go unmet, leading to a sense of defeat. For some, the thought of adding self-care to the agenda can feel daunting. Even if we manage to set aside time for ourselves, it rarely feels sufficient. Ultimately, what many of us truly seek is inner peace, yet our efforts can sometimes lead us further away from it.
Peace isn’t achieved through a checklist; it’s a state we cultivate. It’s especially hard to find peace during a global pandemic that has turned life upside down. Perhaps the most caring thing we can do for ourselves in these times is simply to acknowledge our limitations and accept that doing our best is enough.
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Summary:
The pandemic has shattered the illusion of self-care, revealing its inaccessibility for many. With increased responsibilities and societal pressures, the concept of self-care has morphed into an unrealistic expectation rather than a genuine comfort. While we may know we need to take care of ourselves, the reality is that many are struggling to meet even basic needs. Real peace comes from acceptance and recognizing our limits, especially during these chaotic times.
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Self-care, pandemic, mental health, societal pressures, inner peace, acceptance
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