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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Comment
Zoya Patel

Self-care is important – but we shouldn’t mistake it for feminist action

A young woman meditating
‘We’re just going to each toil away at our own wellbeing and forget about collectivising?’ Photograph: Marcin Wiklik/Alamy

My social media has been filled with young women of a similar age and background to me, sharing their “feminist actions” for the coming year. Among these have been commitments to set boundaries in relationships to improve their mental health, keep time for self-care, challenge their internalised beauty standards and set aside daily meditation time to improve their emotional energy.

I found myself scratching my head. These are valuable goals to prioritise as individuals, absolutely – but is this really what passes for feminist action now? We’re just going to each toil away at our own wellbeing and forget about collectivising to challenge systemic inequality?

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