Internet
self-care
What does self-care mean?
Sometimes critiqued as a commodified, consumerist buzzword.
"Brands turned self-care into a $200 candle, somehow."
Origin
A term from medicine and the civil-rights era (Audre Lorde framed self-care as political survival). It became a mainstream wellness buzzword in the 2010s and a meme staple after.
Frequently asked questions
What does self-care mean?
It's intentionally looking after your own mental and physical wellbeing. Online it's also used ironically to excuse indulgence.
Who coined self-care?
The concept has medical roots, but writer Audre Lorde famously framed self-care as an act of political survival.
Why is self-care criticized?
Critics say brands turned it into consumerism, marketing products as wellness instead of real rest.
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