The commercialisation of self-help is something that has been running through my mind recently. Why do we need to spend £10 on a book telling us to do a facemask and go on a walk – this is not going to save the world or yourself. All forms of self-care and help have been capitalised, but going out on a Sunday and buying new skincare and buying yourself a £5 coffee is not accessible for everyone. What has been labelled as self-help is not self-help anymore; the real cure to our troubles is instead external to us. Being an active participant within your community and helping to better your society is the new self-help. Societies’ current focus is entirely individualist; working on yourself and bettering yourself only, through buying these expensive products and investing in useless tools or apps. We have lost the feeling of community within society and the desire to better where we live or help the people around us. I know my algorithm on social media, when I get in a self-help hole, recommends me so many products to purchase or routines to immerse myself in. It just feels overwhelming!
We forget that there are so many opportunities to take part in, especially when it comes to getting involved in your community. Helping others and feeling part of something greater is one of the best feelings ever. Social media tells us to spend more time alone, and that self-care is a task in isolation. This is extremely important too, but our relations with the world and others fall behind. Community gardens are a great example of participating in a generic form of self-help, being outside and with nature, getting away from your phone. They also provide fresh food and foster environmental awareness. There are lots of community gardens dotted around Edinburgh, one in Morningside, the Meadows and Portobello.
Many self-care books tell us to pick up a hobby and occupy ourselves doing things that fulfil us. But you don’t need to spend lots of money on items or pay an extortionate amount for a class – appreciate being part of student-life and use budget-friendly societies to get involved. Another example of community help and ways to fill your time is volunteering in charity shops. It only takes a couple of hours, and you will feel so accomplished after. It is also a great way to fill your weekends if you don’t have a part-time job. Doing these small activities will fulfil you in ways that doing a facemask can’t.
Looking after ourselves and our mental wellbeing is so important, but this need not be an individual, commodified activity, but something larger than ourselves. The personal reward we gain from looking after the community we are part of not only improves our self-esteem but, in turn, benefits the world we live in. Instead of buying items that feed into capitalism, we can use our abilities to care for others; this benefits everyone!
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash