Lots of self care talk today!
We discussed this topic a few weeks ago on my podcast, You Both Suck. If you haven't listened yet, please check it out! It's a fun show and I'm not just saying that. We take submissions from listeners (like you!) and debate them on air. It's similar vibes to "Am I The Asshole" on Reddit, but we go a bit deeper into the problem and we offer solutions too. We’re also on YouTube if that’s more your speed.
ANYWAY. The episode I'm referring to is this one - someone wrote in about a friend who is all about "TikTok Self Care" as she called it, where, unless you're in her face, she kinda forgets you exist. She meditates, does yoga, and is all about "mindfulness," meanwhile seems to be the least mindful person. What gives??
I can tell you!
Social media is a HOTBED for toxic positivity and #selfcare tropes that don't actually serve you. I'm all for "protect your peace," but not if it means "avoid your problems and the people who caused them." Sure, you should put up boundaries with troublesome people in your life, but people (especially younger people), hear this phrase and think "I should just ignore them and the problem will go away."
That's not helping you or anyone.
In order to resolve any problem with a friend or a partner, you have to communicate. And there are healthy ways to do that without sounding like a self involved doucheflower.
I also wrote about my first experience with electroacupuncture at Hoots Acupuncture in Williamsburg, because I deal with pretty severe chronic pain in my neck. It’s actually a PTSD symptom; my body is always in this state of hyper-vigilance, so my shoulders and my neck muscles clench up like crazy for no reason. And let me tell you, it is not fun.
When my neck acts up, it has a pretty serious effect on my mental health (as well as being just blindingly painful), so I decided to try acupuncture, and not just regular acupuncture, electroacupuncture.
You can read more about it here, but ultimately it was helpful, it just took more than one session. And it feels kinda weird, but not in a bad way.
If you do book an appointment with TCM Hoots, tell him Dara referred you and get $20 off your first visit (new patients only)! He has offices in Williamsburg and in Astoria.
Til next time!