Self-Care vs. Soul Care: Are You Nurturing or Numbing?
In today’s health conscious world, “self-care” has become more than just a buzzword, it’s a
lifestyle. From warm baths and skincare routines to weekend getaways and journaling, we’ve
embraced self-care as a necessary part of wellness.
But here’s a question we don’t ask enough: Is your self-care truly nurturing you, or is it numbing
you?
Self-Care: A Necessary First Step
Let’s be clear, self-care is valid. It’s the act of checking in with yourself, tending to your needs,
and finding ways to recharge. For women carrying heavy emotional loads, for singles navigating
life independently, and for couples juggling responsibilities, self-care can be a life-saver.
But there’s a thin line between care and control. It’s easy to turn self-care into a checklist. A
series of routines that look healthy on the outside, but actually keep us from addressing what’s
happening on the inside.
If your “quiet time” is really a way to avoid difficult conversations…
If your “boundaries” are a mask for emotional distance…
If your “me time” keeps you from meaningful connection…
Then what you’re doing may not be self-care, it may be a form of emotional numbing.
Soul care goes deeper.
It’s not about routines, it’s about connection. Connection to yourself, your emotions, your needs,
and your relationships.
Where self-care may help you relax, soul care helps you feel.
Where self-care gives you space, soul care invites honesty.
Where self-care can be quiet, soul care can be confronting.
Soul care means asking:
• “Why am I really doing this?”
• “What emotions am I avoiding right now?”
• “Is this helping me heal, or just helping me cope?”
Therapy is one of the purest forms of soul care. It’s where you can:
• Say the things you’ve buried
• Explore the pain you’ve avoided
• Build the emotional safety you need
• Reconnect with yourself and those you love
Self-care is a good place to start.
But don’t stop there.
This week, we challenge you to reflect:
“Am I soothing my soul, or silencing it?”
Healing doesn’t always look pretty or peaceful. Sometimes, it looks like asking hard questions,
sitting with discomfort, and finally choosing connection over control.
You don’t have to heal alone. Whether you’re navigating your emotions as a single woman,
finding your voice in a relationship, or simply trying to be more present with yourself, you
deserve more than just coping. You deserve care that reaches your soul.