Sustainability as Self-Care: Nourish Yourself and the Planet

Balancing the Hustle and Finding True Nourishment

In the chaos of our busy lives, it can feel nearly impossible to find time for true self-care. Whether you’re a parent juggling the demands of work, family, and home, or an ambitious professional chasing the next big project, the idea of slowing down and nurturing ourselves can seem like a distant fantasy.

As a therapist and self-proclaimed “justice seeker”, I’ve long grappled with the paradox of self-care. On the one hand, I know how critical it is to take care of ourselves – to fill our own cups so we have the energy and resilience to show up for others. But on the other hand, the frenzied pace of modern life and the constant pressure to achieve and produce can make self-care feel more like a luxury than a necessity.

Recently, I had a revelatory realization: what if we could reframe self-care not as an individual indulgence, but as an act of collective nourishment? What if the very things that replenish and sustain us on a personal level could also contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities and our planet?

This is the essence of sustainability as self-care – the idea that by making conscious choices to reduce our environmental impact and live more in harmony with the natural world, we can actually cultivate a deeper sense of personal fulfillment and inner peace. It’s a radical reframing that challenges the prevailing narrative of self-care as a purely individualistic pursuit, and invites us to expand our understanding of what it means to truly care for ourselves.

Dismantling the Myth of Independent Self-Sufficiency

Let’s start by unpacking the concept of self-care and where it really comes from. As it turns out, the origins of this ubiquitous term can be traced back to the words of Audre Lorde, a pioneering Black, disabled, and queer feminist who wrote about self-care as an act of “political warfare” against oppressive systems.

Lorde’s perspective was grounded in the understanding that true self-care is not about indulging in luxuries or optimizing our productivity, but rather about actively resisting the relentless demands of a capitalist society that seeks to extract every ounce of energy from us. She recognized that in order to sustain ourselves and our communities, we need to be willing to slow down, disengage from harmful systems, and reclaim our fundamental interdependence.

Yet, over time, the radical roots of self-care have been co-opted and sanitized, transformed into a glossy, consumerist wellness industry that promises liberation through the purchase of the right products and experiences. And in the process, the critical connection between individual and collective wellbeing has been all but erased.

As one writer eloquently argues, the prevailing notion of self-care in our hyper-individualistic culture is founded on the false premise that we can somehow be “independent” or “self-sufficient” – that we can attend to our own needs in isolation, without the essential contributions of our communities, our ecosystems, and the very land beneath our feet.

But the truth is, we are inextricably interconnected. Every breath we take, every drop of water we drink, every morsel of food we consume – all of it is made possible by the intricate web of life that sustains us. And when we ignore or dismiss these vital interdependencies, we not only deprive ourselves of true nourishment, but we also perpetuate the extractive, exploitative systems that are ravaging our planet.

Cultivating Reciprocal Care Across All Dimensions of Life

So what would it look like to reclaim self-care as an act of collective flourishing? How can we move beyond the limiting confines of individual consumption and embrace a more holistic, regenerative approach to nurturing ourselves and our world?

At its core, sustainable self-care involves making conscious choices that not only benefit us personally, but also contribute to the wellbeing of our communities and the natural ecosystems we’re a part of. It’s about recognizing that the way we nourish ourselves is inextricably linked to the way we nourish the planet.

This might look like choosing to purchase from local, ethical businesses that treat their workers and the environment with care. It could mean investing time and energy into building deep, meaningful connections with the people around us, rather than retreating into solitary Netflix binges. Or it might involve getting our hands dirty in community gardens, reconnecting with the rhythms of the natural world, and learning to see ourselves as integral parts of the greater whole.

Ultimately, sustainable self-care is about cultivating a profound sense of reciprocity – understanding that the more we give, the more we receive; the more we nourish the world around us, the more we nourish ourselves. It’s about expanding our sphere of care beyond the individual and embracing the interdependent web of life that we’re all a part of.

Practical Steps Towards Holistic Nourishment

So how can we put this philosophy of sustainable self-care into practice? Here are a few concrete ideas to get you started:

1. Slow down and reconnect with nature: Make time to get outside, whether it’s a daily walk, a weekend hike, or a camping trip. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the natural world, and allow yourself to be nourished by its restorative power.

2. Cultivate community connections: Prioritize quality time with loved ones, whether it’s sharing a home-cooked meal, volunteering together, or simply creating space for deep, meaningful conversation. Invest in building the kinds of relationships that sustain and energize you.

3. Support local, ethical businesses: When it comes to self-care products, clothing, and other goods, seek out companies that prioritize sustainability, fair labor practices, and environmental stewardship. Your purchases have the power to directly support businesses that are doing good in the world.

4. Embrace mindful consumption: Before making a purchase, ask yourself: Do I really need this? Where did it come from? What’s the environmental impact? Develop a more conscious, considered relationship with the things you bring into your life.

5. Get your hands dirty: Whether it’s tending to a backyard garden, volunteering at a community farm, or joining a local beach cleanup, engaging in hands-on, restorative work can be immensely nourishing for both the body and the soul.

6. Cultivate gratitude and reverence: Take time each day to reflect on the countless beings – human and non-human, living and non-living – that make your very existence possible. Express gratitude for the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, and the land that supports it all.

The journey towards sustainable self-care is not about perfection or purity – it’s about making small, intentional shifts that align with our deepest values and contribute to the greater good. And as we each do our part, we can begin to collectively reimagine what it means to truly nourish ourselves and our planet.

So why not start today? Take a deep breath, look around at the web of life that sustains you, and ask yourself: What small step can I take to give a little back? Your own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of all, may just depend on it.

ABC Home & Renovations is a building and renovation company based in Aberdeen, UK, committed to sustainable practices that support both personal and planetary wellbeing.