Redefining Self-Care

M

eet Suri. Suri was stressed out. Every Sunday, the week dawned bright and hopeful, with playdates and doctor’s appointments neatly marked on her calendar. But by Thursday nights, Suri would lie flat on the couch, chewing on a slice of cold pizza, and feeling like she’d been spit out of the dishwasher.

When Suri heard about the life-changing magic of self-care, she decided to take it for a spin. She took bubble baths. Booked manicures. Lit scented candles. Shipped the kids out to babysitters. Went out for coffee dates.

And it helped. Suri felt good.

For a day or two.

But the suffocating stress of life would slowly creep back. As her self-care rituals became more and more elaborate, Suri felt breathless trying to stay afloat. Self-care became another to-do on her list.

Acupuncture. Massage therapy. Essential oils. Retreats. It was never enough. The reality is, she concluded, that life is too much. It’s just. too. much.