Ok…that’s not totally true. If you’re still integrating self-care and feeling awkward about it–you’re welcome here, too.
Out with Self-care and in with Community Care!
One thing that draws me to post partum care is the natural inclination to community care. It’s actually what a new parent/family needs to feel more than onesies and casseroles. They need to feel integrated with their community and their new identity.
The same could be said for the rest of us as well. We just don’t have the marking of a life event to begin such “radical” care. But who says we need a huge shift in life to begin shift our mind to community care?
If self-care has been something that’s difficult for you to practice or accept, community care may be a bit more ease on your nervous system.
For a long time, I’ve been enamored with the concepts of “stop the glorification of busy” and “self-preservation as a form of protest.” But I don’t think I really understood what those concepts meant until recently. <Lately, I’ve been diving in the world of “felt sense of safety” in terms of supporting my kids> It wasn’t until I had to re-evaluate everything (thanks, pandemic) for me to really understand what I have been trying to create. But I wanted–so desperately–to quit the grind. When the pandemic happened and we were all forced to stop for a bit, all I could tell myself is that I no longer wanted to hustle. I’ve been hustling since I can remember. I wanted to take this time [on earth] to rest and absorb the spectrum of what can be felt.
As I’ve been studying more about the trauma response and nervous system support, I’ve been drawn to community care as a path to healing. And it finally feels like the answer to many of my questions. I’m not talking about hand-outs and requests for support, but more of, “How can I help the people around me?” And, “How can they help me?” (See meme) But I find myself noticing others are resistant to this radical change in being together. Our culture prioritizes self-reliance and independence. But what if we started to gently see that shift? We don’t need a radical, over-night shift. But more of a conscious choosing of how we spend our energy.
What does this have to do with massage therapy? And stress relief? What if you could feel relieved of having to do EVERYTHING.. all of the time?
In my efforts to bring forward community care, I propose a pop-up book club. Feel free to check your library, listen to it, or purchase the physical book. Let’s read together.
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
If you want to hear a podcast with the author, I highly suggest listening to Glennon Doyle and Tricia Hersey
Once you find your medium for the book and you know you want to have a space to discuss, click on the link and sign up to meet virtually. I’ll send out a link to everyone who registers when the time comes. 
