Real Self-Care

Real Self-Care by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin redefines the modern understanding of self-care, moving beyond superficial solutions to address the deep-seated systemic issues that often contribute to burnout and stress. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Lakshmin, a celebrated psychiatrist, draws on her extensive clinical and personal experience to offer readers a profound and transformative approach to self-care. This book is not just another collection of tips and tricks; it is a call to reclaim ownership of your life through meaningful, sustainable practices.

From trendy fads like puppy yoga to gua shas, society bombards us with pastel-coloured "quick fixes" that promise instant relief. However, these temporary solutions fall short when it comes to addressing the root causes of our stress and exhaustion. Dr. Lakshmin challenges these superficial promises, exposing how they mask deeper societal issues and leave us feeling like failures within a system designed to defeat us. She asserts that you cannot meditate your way out of a 40-hour work week without childcare. Instead, she provides a revolutionary framework for real self-care that is accessible, impactful, and grounded in reality.

At the heart of Dr. Lakshmin’s approach is the idea that true self-care is an internal journey, one that involves making difficult decisions aligned with your values, setting firm boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and asserting your power. These principles, when applied consistently, have the potential to not only transform your personal life but also ripple out to effect change in your relationships, your workplace, and the broader systems that govern our lives. More than just a guide, Real Self-Care is a manifesto for personal and societal revolution, encouraging readers to embrace wellbeing as a state of being rather than a product to purchase.

Acclaimed by thought leaders and praised for its clarity and practical relevance, Real Self-Care is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the true meaning of self-care. Pandora Sykes describes it as “a bracingly honest, galvanising and necessarily provocative look at 'self-care' through a political and feminist lens," while Martha Beck acknowledges it as "a clear-eyed look at the way social systems drain our energy, and a concrete set of principles to rely on as we declare independence from these systems." Julia Samuel also highlights its importance and timeliness, stating, "This isn't just another self-help book. A helpful and timely book that every woman needs."

Dr. Lakshmin's work acts as a wake-up call, urging us to reject the commodification of wellness and to start practising real self-care. By doing so, we can achieve not just personal empowerment but also contribute to the larger goal of societal transformation. Real Self-Care is a vital read for our times, offering a path to true wellness and independence in a world that often demands too much.