YES.
“…Self-care is “an act of political warfare” not only because the personal is indeed political, but because when black women take care of themselves, they challenge the myth of the superwoman (Michele Wallace) and simultaneously challenge structures of oppression that praise black women for being the perpetual “mules of the world” (Zora Neale Hurston). And ultimately, to take care of ourselves is to treasure ourselves, and ensure that we’ll have the longevity to continue our activist work against racism, sexism, heterosexism, and other “-isms” that attempt to circumscribe and control bodies in this world…”
~ Shanesha Brooks-Tatum, “Subversive Self-Care: Centering Black Women’s Wellness,” for The Feminist Wire
http://thefeministwire.com/2012/11/subversive-self-care-centering-black-womens-wellness/
I love more things, but the above are definitely included.
It’s an upside-down world when the things we ought to be doing collectively - like ensuring clean water and preventing climate change - are seen as “big brother” government over-reach, while things that ought to be private - like anything that happens in a bedroom or a doctor’s office - are subject to scrutiny by moral arbiters bent on protecting their version of “values”.
I was by myself for a pretty long time. I needed to do that. I think everyone that I know has wanted to do that or needed to do that at some point. I think when you spend enough time when it’s quiet around you and you don’t open your mouth for three or four days, there’s parts of your brain that can kind of rest. I think when we’re out in the world and we have to talk to people, we edit ourselves. You know, we have to like, act a little bit. As honest as we may be as humans, when we’re out here, we’re all kind of wearing mirrors on our faces. You know, constantly reacting to how to react to the people around you. And I think when you’re alone for a long enough time, you can feel a lot more peace.
“
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Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, in an interview speaking about living in his father’s cabin for three months when writing ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’. (via rainydaysandblankets)
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Your emotions are like 3yr olds. They need to be heard, accepted, acknowledged, and respected. They never need to be in charge.
