I recently came across alarming content on social media centered around "self-care." What I saw shocked me and left me wondering about the long-term effects social media influencers have in promoting a toxic culture of overconsumption in the name of "self-care."
Me being a wellness girlie myself, I would never have dreamed of witnessing a toxic culture of self-care emerge from the digital ethers. The words "toxic" and "self-care" would have never been in the same paragraph for me previously. Yet leave it to social media to desecrate any sacred practice in the name of capitalism and views.
I always thought of self-care as the remedy for feminine beings who are often overworked, depleted, and suffering from burnout. But the recent viral trends I’ve seen have left me feeling repulsed to some degree.
A woman filming herself using 14 products full of toxins for her skincare routine-sped up into a 30-second reel with all the products linked-is sending an alarming subconscious message to everyone, especially the youth.
The truth is, this isn't real self-care at all. It's a commercial slot for brands that endorse these social media influencers. I doubt that woman uses half of those products regularly.
It’s a downright lie.
Real self-care is how we take care of our internal energy and immediate environments. It’s how we show up in relationships and how we set energetic boundaries.
Real self-care is about nurturing your well-being on a holistic level-mind, body, and soul. It’s not about how many products you can stack on your bathroom counter or how aesthetic your routine looks on camera. It’s about creating a sustainable life that prioritizes your peace, health, and personal growth.
True self-care is waking up early to meditate, journaling your emotions, or simply resting when your body signals it's tired. It’s about choosing nutrient-dense meals that nourish your body instead of succumbing to emotional eating. It’s about having the courage to say “no” when you’re overstretched and ensuring the energy you give to others aligns with your capacity.
What these social media influencers often promote as self-care isn't that at all. It’s a performance. It’s a ridiculous amount of products. When social media glorifies overconsumption, it shifts the focus from genuine self-healing to materialism.
This not only distorts our understanding of self-care but also ingrains feelings of inadequacy for those who can’t afford or access the latest trends and products.
Self-care can be as simple as cleaning your room. It can be going outside to ground your bare feet into Mother Earth or bask in the sunshine. It can be investing in a self-help book or a gentle personal development course with wisdom you’ll carry for a lifetime.
Things like meditation, breathwork, movement, and prayer are free forms of self-care you can do anytime and anywhere.
Don’t get me wrong-I love to treat myself. I love a good spa day. I love luxurious products too. But I will not be trapped in the trend of harmful promotions that lead to overconsumption in the name of "self-care."
So next time you see a “self-care” reel urging you to buy into the latest craze, pause and ask yourself:
Is this truly serving my well-being, or is it just feeding the algorithm?
Am I trying to avoid something by distracting myself with a feel-good, one-time dopamine hit in the form of an unnecessary purchase?
We must return to the heart of self-care: practices that center on self-love, inner harmony, and authentic connection. Let’s stop glorifying excess and start honoring simplicity. It's about leeting go, rather than adding on.
Because at its core, self-care isn’t about doing more... it’s about being more present, more grounded, and more in tune with yourself and your energy. True self care can be FREE.
To read more about holistic ways to truly care for yourself, READ HERE.
Self-care is meant to be a sacred, simple, intentional practice-not a commercialized trend.
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If you feel ready to inspire the beauty, wisdom, and grace within you, this guide is here to help you deepen. There is no rush. No expectations. Just a gentle invitation to come back to yourself and settle in.
You are already whole.
This guide is a gentle invitation back to the sacredness that you carry within.
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