Self-care has been sold to us as bubble baths and face masks. Buy this product. Light this candle. Treat yourself.

And I'm not here to tell you those things don't matter. They do. Self-soothing is real and valid and necessary.

But here's what nobody talks about: Self-care is more than just the soothing part. If you're only doing the things that feel good in the moment but avoiding the hard stuff—the boundaries, the difficult conversations, the uncomfortable choices—you're only doing half of self-care.

In this episode, we explore what real self-care actually looks like, why it's been commodified, and what it takes to care for yourself in a sustainable way.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why self-soothing IS valid self-care (it's tending to yourself, your temple, your mental health)

- The difference between self-care and self-soothing (they work together, not against each other)

- Why you need BOTH: soothing practices that help you regulate AND hard choices that protect your well-being

- Real soothing self-care examples: gaming, comfort shows, pampering routines, retail therapy, hobbies

- Hard self-care examples: setting boundaries, having difficult conversations, saying no, protecting your time

- How soothing practices and hard actions work together in balance

- Why the soothing stops working when your life is out of alignment

- The commodification of self-care and why it's been reduced to products

- Individual self-care vs. systemic self-care (what you can control vs. what requires collective action)

- How to make self-care sustainable (not just occasional treats but regular practices)

- Why self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary for showing up authentically

- Creating systems that support your well-being: protected hours, boundaries you've pre-decided, phone on DND

- The realization that soothing activities alone weren't fixing deeper issues

This isn't about choosing between bubble baths and boundaries. It's about understanding you need both—the practices that regulate your nervous system AND the choices that create a life that doesn't constantly deplete you.

If you've been buying self-care products hoping they'll fix everything, or pushing yourself through "hard" self-care without any softness—this episode will help you find the balance.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY OR QUESTION:

How do you practice self-care? Share your questions, stories, or reflections. Send written letters or voice messages to [email protected] or visit ALotToGrowThrough.com

CONNECT WITH A LOT TO GROW THROUGH:

Website: ALotToGrowThrough.com

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RATE & REVIEW:

If this episode helped you rethink self-care, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover a more balanced approach to caring for themselves.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This podcast discusses self-care, burnout, boundaries, and mental health topics. Please practice self-care while listening.

A Lot To Grow Through is a podcast about real healing, real conversations, and no filter. Hosted by Artis Desjardins, this is a space for thoughtful conversations on healing, growth, and the art of becoming. Here, you'll understand you have to grow through it, not just go through it.