“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.”
-Audre Lorde
The concept of self-care, which arose through the activist practices specifically of marginalized groups, has been increasingly discussed by health care settings, non-profit organizations, commercial and marketing enterprises, and psychological approaches. National discourse has also increased exponentially since the 2016 presidential election. Yet, few academics have explored the theory, implementation, and impacts of this concept. While many advocate for cultures and movements where we can embrace Lorde’s philosophy, others contend it has been co-opted through commodification, cultural appropriation, and self-indulgence.