The phrase “Self Care” is thrown around so much especially on social media. So many people will post a picture of fresh nails, beauty treatments, girls nights and in the hashtags you will almost certainly find #selfcare.

Yes, self care looks different for everyone, but I feel like #selfcare is masking the real conversations about mental health. I get my nails done every 3 weeks without fail and it does make me feel better but it doesn’t improve my mental health. Yes I go out with the girls and it is so nice to let my hair down but does that stop my anxieties slipping in during the day? If only!

I wish that #selfcare sat at the foot of posts showing people out in nature, meditating, spending quality time with loved ones, time alone with a book or podcast rather than the consumerist activities that you see on the gram.

After becoming a mum I didn’t know what self care looked like. I believed it was selfish and something that I shouldn’t and couldn’t do because my main priority was no longer myself but Noah. Then when looking to the mums I followed on the gram it appeared that the only way to #selfcare was spending money and that left me always wanting something rather than simply taking the time for myself.

This took me a long time to figure out and a lot of my savings too!

I believe that if we all shared what really helped improve our mental health, the sustainable and simple behaviours or activities then we would all be in a better position mentally. #selcare is an individual thing. But if we shared what really helped us then we could learn from each other rather than masking our emotions with things what we can pay for.  

How will you use #selfcare to support mental health?