You Deserve It (But Only If You Can Afford It)
At some point, self-care stopped being about rest and became about spending. What started as a radical act of preservation—especially for marginalized people—has now been hijacked by hashtags, overpriced candles, and Instagrammable bathtubs. Because nothing says “healing” like going into credit card debt for a Himalayan salt lamp.
The message is clear: You’re broken. But don’t worry. For $49.99, we can fix you.
When Wellness Becomes a Weapon
The self-care industry—worth over $1.5 trillion globally—thrives on one thing: your exhaustion. It feeds on your burnout, capitalizes on your anxiety, and repackages survival as a shopping list.
You’re told to “treat yourself” after a long day…
- But why was the day so long in the first place?
- Why are you expected to grind, then reward yourself with glittery nonsense that does nothing to solve the underlying rot?
Spoiler: Because it’s profitable.
The Rise of Toxic Positivity
Slap a pastel font on a trauma response and suddenly it’s a vibe.
Toxic positivity tells you:
- Don’t complain—just meditate.
- Don’t question the system—just manifest harder.
- Don’t rest—unless it’s accompanied by a $60 weighted blanket and a subscription box.
It’s emotional gaslighting disguised as empowerment. And it’s selling faster than essential oils at a cult mixer.
Capitalism Dressed as Compassion
Let’s be clear: self-care can be powerful. But not when it’s sold back to you by the same system that made you need it in the first place.
The corporations pushing “you time” are the same ones normalizing 60-hour workweeks, fighting unionization, and designing phones that ensure you never disconnect.
Self-care becomes a bandage over a bullet wound—sold to you by the guy who fired the gun.
What Real Self-Care Looks Like (And Why They Don’t Want You Doing It)
Real self-care isn’t sexy. It’s not marketable. And it definitely doesn’t involve branding.
It looks like:
- Saying no without guilt.
- Setting boundaries even if it pisses people off.
- Logging off.
- Resting—not to recover from labor, but to reclaim your humanity.
- Building community, not clout.
You can’t monetize authenticity. That’s why they don’t push it.
Final Thought: Stop Buying Peace From the People Who Took It
Next time you’re told to treat yourself, ask who profits from that guilt. Ask why your joy is always attached to a shopping cart. Ask who benefits when you’re too tired to resist, so you reward yourself just enough to keep going.
Then ask: What if the best form of self-care is burning the whole system down and starting fresh?
Until then, skip the luxury bath bomb. The revolution will not be eucalyptus-scented.
