The History of Self-Care: From Resistance to Routine

Red light masks, retreats in far-flung locations, bath bombs, and 10-step skincare routines—this is what probably comes to mind when you hear the word “self-care.” But self-care wasn’t always tied to consumerism; in fact, its roots are far more radical. 

You might have already seen our Dieux Doc on the history of self-care, but we wanted to slow down and dive a bit deeper into the concept. Ahead, we take a look at where the idea of self-care actually comes from, how it became so linked with consumerist culture, and what’s been lost (and gained) along the way.

Self-Care, Before It Was a Buzzword

Before it became candles and bubble baths, self-care was medical advice. In the mid-20th century, doctors talked about self-care as the everyday work of staying well: eating regular meals, moving your body, and sticking to routines. It was specifically aimed at older adults, people living with chronic illness, and mental health patients, a.k.a. groups who couldn’t rely on one-time treatments, but needed daily habits to manage their health. Back then, self-care wasn’t indulgent or trendy; it was practical, preventative, and often necessary just to get through the day.

When Self-Care Became an Act of Resistance

In the ‘70s and ’80s, people of color, women, and queer communities repopularized self-care, framing it around the idea that caring for oneself wasn’t optional—it was political. 

Self-Care in the Civil Rights Movement

For the Black Panther Party, taking care of the community was a form of resistance. When the government failed to provide basic support, the Black Panthers stepped in with free health clinics, nutritious food programs, and education initiatives designed to meet real, urgent needs.

These efforts empowered Black communities to protect themselves against systemic neglect. By addressing health issues like sickle-cell anemia, the Black Panthers showed that health is collective, not individual.

Sustaining the Fight: Self-Care for Activists

Self-care has long been a survival strategy in the struggle for justice. As Audre Lorde put it in her book A Burst of Light: and Other Essays, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” 

Activists Erika Huggins and Angela Davis practice meditation and yoga to stay grounded, resilient, and sustain their fight for justice, even while incarcerated. “Anyone who’s interested in making change in the world also has to learn how to take care of herself, himself, theirselves,” Angela Davis said in a 2021 interview. “[Practicing radical self-care] means we’re able to bring our entire selves into the movement.” Self-care was used as a way to keep going, not to escape reality.

Self-Care and the Women’s Movement

Dealing with a dismissive, sexist healthcare system, activists within the Women’s Movement formed groups to learn about their bodies and discuss barriers to their well-being, and they established their own clinics. Leaders like Rosa Parks practiced yoga not as a luxury, but as a way to support her body and mind. In this context, self-care became a way of reclaiming control over one’s body, health, and dignity.

The Shift From Collective Care to Personal Wellness

By the late ‘70s, “wellness” had started to make its mark, shifting self-care away from politics and toward holistic health and fitness and, eventually, mainstream, individual-focused commercialization. Through the ‘80s and ‘90s, according to historian Natalia Petrzela, these practices moved from the margins into the mainstream, thanks to media and consumer culture. That’s when self-care really started to take on a whole new meaning.

Self-Care Today: A $6.8 Trillion Industry

Today, wellness is a $6.8 trillion industry, selling us self-care as products that won’t just help us look better, but feel better, too. From fancy moisturizers and supplements to meditation apps and sleep trackers, much of it emphasizes appearance, productivity, and personal optimization. And while these products can support care, they’re just one part of the full picture.

What Gets Lost When Self-Care Is Only About the Self

Self-care wasn’t just about treating yourself; it was about sustaining life, energy, and connection. Caring for yourself often meant caring for others too, whether that meant sharing support or time. Today, the pressure to “perform” self-care correctly can make us think buying the right product or following the perfect routine is enough, but it’s not. Investing in yourself matters, but so does investing in the people around you.

Reclaiming Self-Care as Something Bigger

Self-care doesn’t have to always involve buying something. It’s about prioritizing the practices that allow you to reconnect with yourself and your community in meaningful, long-term ways. Meditating, spending time in nature with friends, journaling, or volunteering for a local organization: these are just a few of the ways to add self-care into your routine. 

Regardless of what you opt for, it’s important to remember that self-care is about listening to your body, knowing yourself well enough to stay grounded, and making space for rest, repair, and ritual without trying to be perfect.

The Takeaway: Self-Care Is a Practice, Not a Purchase

Self-care has always been about survival, dignity, and resilience. It’s about how you honor yourself in small, everyday ways in order to show up for your community. Sure, skincare products can support the process, but they don’t define it.

The next time you reach for something, take a step back and ask yourself: Why am I reaching for this? What do I actually need right now, at this moment? 

Listening to yourself like this is a form of self-care. It ensures that you’re honoring your needs instead of just reacting out of habit and making choices that genuinely support your well-being. As always, you’re Dieux-ing great.