You Belong Here

Stretch

2025 has started off with a bang. From the tragedies in New Orleans and Las Vegas to today’s fires raging in the LA area, Trump’s sentencing hearing, and the Supreme Court deliberating a TikTok ban, the year has been nothing short of eventful. And we’re only 10 days in.

In times like these, it’s easy to feel like the world is spinning out of control, like reality itself is shifting under our feet like sand.

It’s not all in your head. These feelings are valid.

In unprecedented times, caring for ourselves is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Self-care is essential not only for our own well-being but for the health and resilience of our communities. You can’t pour from an empty cup. As we face the cascading challenges of this era, community care and solidarity will be crucial. But if your own cup is depleted, how can you effectively care for and support others? When we’re running on empty, resisting oppression becomes exponentially harder.

“But Jaya, how can we focus on self-care when it feels like the world is falling apart?”

Self-care has become a misunderstood buzzword. Originally rooted in social justice, the term was reframed by Audre Lorde in her 1988 essay collection, A Burst of Light. Lorde wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

What does this mean? True self-care isn’t about manicures, spa days, or retreats—at least not in the superficial way popular culture markets them. Genuine self-care disrupts the systems that aim to oppress, exhaust, and deplete us. By tending to ourselves, we sustain the energy and wellness needed to resist and challenge these very systems.

So what does authentic self-care look like? The answer varies for everyone, but here are a few ideas:

• Holistic wellness practices that honor your needs: Ask yourself, What do I need to feel physically, emotionally, and mentally well?

• Therapy and mental health support: Seeking help is an act of strength, not weakness. Caring for others begins with actively caring for yourself.

• Daily routines and rituals that ground you: This could be as simple as staying hydrated or creating a morning ritual that calms your nervous system.

• Setting boundaries and honoring them: Remember, “no” is a complete sentence. Prioritize your well-being by being clear about what you will and won’t tolerate—even if others disapprove.

• Leaning into community: Oppression thrives when we isolate ourselves. Humans are designed for connection, so don’t hesitate to ask for help and offer it in return.

As we navigate the peaks and valleys of the year ahead, embrace authentic self-care practices. They will not only fortify you for the challenges to come but also enable you to pour into others in a way that is genuine and sustainable.

Reflect

1. What does self-care mean to you? Has your understanding of it changed over time?

2. What systems in your life feel like they deplete your energy, and how can you challenge or resist them?

3. How often do you seek support from your community, and what holds you back from doing so?

4. If you were to pour from a full cup, how would that change the way you show up for yourself and others?

Act

1. Check in with yourself daily: Ask, What do I need to feel physically, emotionally, and mentally well today? Then prioritize at least one thing to address those needs.

2. Seek therapy or counseling: Reach out to a professional to work through stress, trauma, or emotional challenges.

3. Identify one area where you need stronger boundaries: Practice saying “no” or stepping back from activities that drain you.

4. Reflect regularly: Journal about what’s working, what’s not, and how you can adjust your self-care practices.

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