Grandma's Self-Care vs. Gen Z Self-Care : What Have We Gained and Lost?
For many of our grandmothers, self-care wasn't something scheduled into a planner. It wasn't a reward after burnout. It was quietly woven into everyday life. They woke up with the sun, spent time in gardens, chatted with neighbours over the compound wall, cooked meals from scratch, took afternoon breaks whenever possible, and ended the day surrounded by family. Their lives were far from easy, and many carried responsibilities we can barely imagine. Yet, amidst those demands, they often had routines that naturally supported their emotional and physical well-being.
Today's generation approaches self-care very differently. We talk about boundaries, mental health, therapy, mindfulness, journaling, digital detoxes, and saying "no" without guilt. These conversations are important because previous generations often suppressed emotions, ignored mental health struggles, and believed that enduring hardship silently was a sign of strength. In that sense, we've gained something invaluable, we have the language to understand our feelings. We are more likely to seek professional help, recognise burnout, and admit that struggling doesn't make us weak.
But somewhere along the way, self-care also became something we buy instead of something we practice.
A scented candle, a luxury skincare routine, an expensive retreat, or a perfectly curated morning routine can certainly feel good. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of these. The problem begins when we mistake products for peace. Sometimes we spend hours watching videos about self-care without actually doing the things that genuinely restore us by sleeping on time, eating nourishing meals, calling a friend, stepping outside, or simply allowing ourselves to rest without guilt.
Our grandmothers didn't have gratitude journals, but many found gratitude in everyday rituals. They didn't download meditation apps, yet many spent quiet moments in prayer, gardening, knitting, or simply sitting outside as the evening breeze rolled in. They may not have counted their daily steps, but their lives naturally involved movement. Their self-care often came from community, routine, and connection rather than carefully curated checklists.
At the same time, we shouldn't romanticise the past. Many women from earlier generations sacrificed their own needs for everyone else. They rarely spoke about emotional exhaustion. They continued working through illness, stress, and grief because society expected them to. Today's emphasis on emotional boundaries, self-worth, and mental health is a much-needed correction. It reminds us that caring for ourselves is not selfish, it allows us to care for others more sustainably.
Perhaps the real lesson isn't about deciding which generation did self-care better. It's about recognising that both have something valuable to teach us.
From our grandparents, we can learn the beauty of slowing down, building strong communities, spending time in nature, eating mindfully, and finding joy in ordinary routines. From today's world, we can embrace therapy when needed, respect our emotional limits, prioritise rest, and understand that mental health deserves as much attention as physical health.
Maybe the healthiest version of self-care is a blend of both worlds. It could mean putting your phone away during dinner because conversations nourish us. It could mean taking a walk instead of scrolling endlessly. It could mean seeking therapy without shame while also finding comfort in family traditions. It could mean replacing perfection with consistency, remembering that well-being isn't built in one grand gesture but in hundreds of small, ordinary decisions.
So, as we observe Self-Care Day, perhaps the goal isn't to create the perfect wellness routine for social media. Instead, it's to ask ourselves what choices we can make today, and tomorrow, and the day after, that genuinely help us feel healthier, calmer, and more connected.
Because real self-care isn't reserved for one day on the calendar. It's found in the quiet choices we make every single day: choosing rest before exhaustion, connection before isolation, nourishment before neglect, and compassion before criticism. Trends will change, wellness advice will evolve, and new routines will come and go. But the heart of self-care remains beautifully timeless, it is simply the everyday practice of treating ourselves with the same care we so readily offer the people we love.
Written By : R. Sagarikaa, Editorial Head
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