Are you tired of Instagram-perfect bubble baths and expensive spa days being sold to you as "self-care"? In this eye-opening episode of Burnout to Thriving, Cecilia Mannella dives into the surprising political origins of self-care and how it transformed from a revolutionary act of resistance to a $450 billion industry that's more about selling products than actual wellness.
Self-care wasn't always about rose-all-day and bubble baths. What began as a political movement by Black Panthers creating free healthcare clinics and feminists establishing women's health collectives has transformed into a commercialized industry. The original intent was resistance against medical racism and patriarchal control over women's bodies – a far cry from today's Instagram-worthy self-care aesthetic.
What's particularly troubling about this evolution is how capitalism has positioned self-care as something you need to purchase. When we feel overwhelmed, the solution marketed to us requires spending money on products and services, creating a system where wellness becomes accessible only to those with financial means. But authentic self-care isn't about consumption – it's about boundaries, rest, and challenging the exploitative logic of a system that profits from our exhaustion.
