Cristin unpacks how self-care has drifted from its radical roots into a marketing trend, often leaving us more depleted than restored.

Drawing on the writing of Caroline K. Kaltefleiter and Karmeliesha M. Alexander in The Black Girlhood Studies Collection, Cristin explores how Black women and girls have historically used self-care as a form of resistance and survival—not indulgence. What began as a communal and political practice to preserve wellness in the face of systemic harm has now been co-opted into consumer culture: bath bombs, face masks, and luxury retreats that often exclude the very people who created the blueprint for care.

Cristin calls us back to a deeper understanding of self-care — one that centers presence, integrity, and interdependence. Through personal reflection and historical context, she reveals why buying more things won’t heal our exhaustion and how proper self-care invites us to slow down, listen to our bodies, and reconnect with community.

Reflection Questions

What images or products come to mind when you think of self-care and who benefits from them?

How can you redefine self-care as a practice of listening and responding to your real needs?

What does real rest look like for you?

How can you honor the legacy of self-care as survival in your daily routines and leadership?