Has vanity become a part of my self-care routine?
Has social media made us all unhinged, doubting who we are and what we want in life? Has it caused us to be so self-obsessed that vanity has caused insanity? If like me, you are seeking for sanity in this modern mess we call contemporary living – perhaps mindfulness is a better word – then read on.
The word “vain” has come to assume plenty of negative connotations associated with self-involvement and narcissism. Anything and everything we decide to show on our Instagram feeds could be considered acts of vanity. Social media has made us acutely aware of the way we look, that is true, and arguably has made us loosen our grip on sanity if we become too influenced by what others think.
You’ve no doubt heard the word “self-care” used over the past few years. It has been particularly prevalent as a result of the excessive stress caused by the rise of social media. It can be linked to mindfulness and is all about protecting ourselves and finding modes of happiness.
So, the whole idea of “self-care” is centred on looking after yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Nowadays, it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of consumer life both online and off, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the time to focus on what is right for ourselves and what truly makes us happy. For me, mindfulness can be gained by doing a multitude of different things: reading critically, cleaning, getting rid of bad habits like smoking and vaping, eating more of a plant-based diet (though I can’t get rid of meat totally), and knitting which helps me keep my hands busy and is creative. But most importantly, at the moment, developing my interest in the art of skincare.
Vain? No, I don’t think so – I’m just finding ways of looking after myself, both mind and body. And I would encourage you all to do the same. I also think that Marie Kondo has a point about de-cluttering. One of my ambitions for the future is to live mortgage-free in a tiny house. Let’s see whether that comes about!
The result of all this is that you will feel healthily vain about just how sane you are!
So, I leave you with one final question. Is self-care a manifestation of sanity or vanity?
Opening image: @brasilnality
