Mutual Aid

Community care refers to structures that ensure that we can help, support and empower each other. It's about recognising that although we can't solve the problem directly, we can help each other to deal with the side effects and perhaps even avoid them.

When we talk about self-care, I actually have a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Because as I described above, self care tells exactly the same story as the individual being responsible for society's problems.

It is also a story that invites consumption by talking about products, retreats and events being a sign of self care. But this is a capitalist story and ultimately it is about freeing yourself from these thoughts and realising that you are enough and don't have to be or have more. If you can really take the time to listen to your body and hear its needs, you might realise that this is exactly what supports your body's self-healing powers.

It's not always just about how much you've worked on yourself. Ultimately, it's also mainly about acceptance and the feeling of having to work on yourself can sometimes even take you away from it.