The case for extreme self-care

I sometimes get caught up in an internal battle that goes something like this: 

“Do what’s good for you. 

“No, do what’s good for the planet. 

“No, do what’s good for you. 

“No, do what’s good for the planet. 

… 

You get the idea. 

Things like flying, eating cheese, or buying useless stuff invoke these dialogues.

A few thoughts helped me solve this battle (for now)

When I acknowledge that I am not a separate self but that I am also deeply connected to my environment, I recognize that my personal wellbeing depends on my environment. Naturally, I take care of that environment. 

Self-care that harms my environment is not self-care.

My job on the planet is not to save it, not to make the planet better, but to deeply care for myself and care for the rest of the expressions of life.