A recent essay in The Atlantic by Stanford professor of psychology Jamil Zaki highlights my growing unease with the cultural direction self-care has taken. It’s titled “’Self-care’ Isn’t the Fix for Late-Pandemic Malaise.”
Zaki upholds the importance of self-care which he defines as “anything pursued for the sake of one’s own wellness.” Self-care is vital, but limited in its efficacy. It is “especially good at softening intense stress and anxiety,” but, as it has come to be practiced and...