Self-Care Flows Outward
Written by: Liz Cerven
Dear Reader,
Self-care, as we understand it today, has often been stripped of its radical roots, diluted into fleeting indulgences or marketable trends. But its essence—when we return to the wisdom of those like Audre Lorde and adrienne maree brown—carries the power to transform ourselves and the world around us.
In A Burst of Light, Lorde reminds us: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." Lorde frames self-care as a necessary rebellion, a refusal to be consumed by systems of oppression. adrienne maree brown extends this thinking in Emergent Strategy, where she writes: "What you pay attention to grows." This idea calls us to cultivate our own well-being with the same intention and care we might give a garden, knowing that tending to ourselves has ripples beyond what we can see.
If we think of self-care through the lens of nature, it becomes easier to understand its radical and relational nature. Consider how a tree must first root itself deeply in the earth, drawing nourishment from the soil, before it can grow tall, spread its branches, and bear fruit. This rooting is not selfish; it is essential. Without strong roots, the tree cannot sustain life—not its own, nor the birds that rest in its branches or the creatures that eat its fruit.
Likewise, when we care for ourselves, we root ourselves in love. This love is not a shallow or fleeting emotion but a profound acknowledgment of our inherent worth. Love is the soil in which we grow, the light that draws us upward, and the water that keeps us supple and strong. And just as nature is interconnected, our self-care flows outward—it nourishes the communities we are part of, strengthens our ability to resist oppression, and deepens our capacity to show up for others.
To practice self-care in today’s political climate is to embody love as an active, living force. It is to say:
I love myself enough to rest when I am tired.
I love my community enough to show up when I am able.
I love the world enough to imagine something better and to work toward it.
adrienne maree brown also writes: "We are in an imagination battle." When we care for ourselves, we reclaim our imagination from systems that want us to believe we are disposable, unworthy, or alone. We begin to imagine new ways of being—ways rooted in love, connection, and liberation.
This love is not just personal; it is political. It says, "I refuse to be consumed by the grind of capitalism or the weight of injustice. I am worthy of joy, of healing, of wholeness." And in declaring this for ourselves, we model it for others. We invite them to see themselves as deserving of the same.
Reflecting on this, I encourage you to look to the natural world. Watch how the sunflowers turn their faces toward the light. Notice how the rivers carve their paths slowly, persistently, over time. See how the seasons remind us of the need for rest, renewal, and growth. Let nature teach you that care is not a one-time act but a continuous process, an ever-deepening relationship with yourself and the world around you.
Ask yourself: What would it look like to love yourself the way nature loves—patiently, persistently, without condition? How can this love ripple out to others, to your community, to the earth itself?
In a world that often thrives on division and despair, to care for yourself and others is an act of revolutionary love. It is the fertile ground from which hope, justice, and liberation can grow.
Yours with unending love