You Care Too Much: the important act of self-care

What does self-care mean to you? For me, in addition to my daily routine of putting my face on, it’s getting that much needed “me time” and letting my body relax and recover from life. I make a conscious effort to not schedule anything on Sundays. Sundays are my “me day” – I catch up on freelance work, my TV shows, stay in my PJs and end the day with a lush cosmetics bath. It’s my Sunday ritual.

Self-care is such an important act, one that I think we often push to the sidelines for various reasons: we’re too busy caring for others, we don’t have time because of our jobs, school work or adulting, blah blah blah. I won’t lie, I catch myself making excuses too sometimes. When I chose to dedicate one day a week to self-care, the excuses started happening a whole lot less. And honestly, it taught me just how important and valuable the simple act of self-care is.

The weeks that I don’t take the time to practice self-care are also the weeks that just seem to emotionally, physically and mentally drain me, for no reason other than the fact that I just have this feeling like I’m being “rushed”.

To me, self-care is taking time for myself to relax and let go. It’s making lists of useless things and thoughts to help me sort out my feelings. It’s bushing my hair when I wake up. It’s choosing to not brush my hair when I wake up. It’s making sure there isn’t gluten in literally everything I eat/drink/touch so that I don’t die***. It’s accepting my gluten-allergy, stomach and immune system for what it is. It’s accepting myself.

***totally exaggerating, kinda…

This summer, I had an amazing opportunity to work on one of the most inspiring books (I realize I may be a bit biased, but seriously it’s the truth) and rewarding freelance projects. You Care Too Much is an collection of stories, poems, illustrations and photography created by women on the question of self-care.

The book explores the idea on self-care on a much deeper level than just soaking the day’s worries away in a hot bubble bath. It’s a book that challenges you and really prompts you to dig deeper.

You Care Too Much is a collection of poetry, fiction, confessional writing, art and photography by seventeen female contributors on “the question of self care.” 

Self-care™ has become a buzzword— Listicles, Instagram, and GOOP remind us to take a break, treat ourselves—we deserve it. But it’s not enough to hear Gwyneth say that, so matter-of-factly, without it feeling like it’s just another thing we’re expected to make time for, another thing we should be doing well. What happens when a hot bath or pedicure aren’t enough? Where is the guide that will lead us to real healing, in the moments we need it most? 

These are the questions that inspired seventeen contributors to tackle the meaning of self care—and the very related theme of caring for others—in their own lives. The result is a dynamic and surprising collection about the great search for our best selves.

— Erin Klassen

Erin Klassen is a writer, editor, #GirlBoss and founder of With/out Pretend; an independent publishing company based in Toronto. With/out Pretend puts a large amount of focus on working with emerging female writers and artists, which is so inspiring to see. Erin is also the brain behind the collection, as well as the equally inspiring book Portraits. She is just a magical and inspiring human being.

(I also had the opportunity to assist with re-developing her brand, which was an equally amazing experience.)

Do you have any self-care rituals, or any thoughts on the topic of self-care? Let me know in the comments & don’t forget to check out You Care Too Much!

(I realize this isn’t my typical blog post, but I really wanted to take the time to share this book because it’s kind of amazing. Sorry not sorry.)