Self Care vs Community Care – Showing Up For Each Other

We talk A LOT about self care. It’s a really important thing and until recently, it didn’t get enough press. The tables are turning, however, so we want to mention one of the perils of focusing solely on self care.

It omits the vital fact that we need community care as well. It can also place undue pressure on individuals who are struggling.

Hopefully, this brief discussion makes you think a little about how you approach your own self care and how you support others.

Self Care vs Community Care: When Self Care Isn’t Enough

There are some problems that we just can’t soak away in the bath. We can’t meditate them away either, at least not initially. A healthy diet and positive self-talk help, but they aren’t enough to get us over the hump.

These problems include things like trauma, poverty, illness, depression, and anxiety.

When we struggle with serious issues like this, we need help and support from our friends, family, and professionals.

This is what we mean when we say community care.

Self Care vs Community Care: The Self Care Stigma

If we only ever talk about the power of self care, we risk isolating those who aren’t finding relief through it. We firmly believe that self care is an important part of a healthy and balanced life. But we also reach out for help when we need it.

You’re more powerful than you know, but sometimes you need some help. You need community programs to help you get back on your feet. Maybe you need therapy or to not be alone for a while.

Try as you might, you cant talk yourself into a better perspective or a new job. You need resources, skills, and some care from those around you.

Self Care vs Community Care: Promoting Programs

In fact, we’d go as far as to say that self care should promote a desire to get active and work toward ensuring that people who struggle have access to programs they need. This is part of the charitable work we hope people gravitate toward as they start feeling better themselves.

It’s not about a hand out or a free ride. It’s about a supportive foundation that you can grow out of.

Self Care vs Community Care: Being A Support System

When you have the mental, emotional, and financial resources to support others, we hope you’ll consider it. There is a myriad of ways to get involved from spending time with friends who are having a hard time to joining community groups that address different problems like hunger, isolated senior citizens, and big brother/big sister programs.

Obviously, it’s more difficult than ever to get involved right now because of social distancing. However, that’s something that makes it even more vital. Find out what others are safely doing in your neighborhood and replicate that. Get involved.

Self vs Community Care: The Importance Of Watching Our Messaging

The most basic thing we’re here to promote is an open-minded and inclusive approach to wellness. It’s really easy to fall into ableist thinking and language, but that only isolates those who struggle the most.

You can talk with them about self care, but also show them some support in other ways. This can really inspire someone to feel better and change their situation.

That said, remember to always do only what you can safely do. You have to monitor your resources as well and it isn’t your job to save the world. A balanced and harmonious approach to community care keep it sustainable so you can be in it for the long haul.

Getting Involved In Your Area

If you want to get involved in your own neighborhood, reach out to community groups like neighborhood associations, the United Way, food banks, and churches. Ask what community outreach they already have in place.

Internet searches for things like ‘community outreach, my city,’ and ‘charities near me’ will lead you to organizations that help others. if they don’t feel right for you, ask about other groups they know about.

Don’t forget to mention the special skills and talents that you have so these groups can use you in a way that makes the most sense. That’s the kind of outreach that does the most good for everyone.