When self-care turns into self-surveillance

Self-care is a significant way to feel more present and grounded in your life. However, have the tools we utilise to monitor our progress in these self-care journeys become a form of self-surveillance?

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Self-care practices look different for everyone but usually have the same function: they help people who practice them feel better and improve their health. Self-care can look like working out, skincare routines, exercise, or practising mindfulness such as journaling and mood tracking.

Many tools help you track your progress and keep you accountable on your self-care journey, but it can start to feel like you are monitoring yourself. For example, the mirror, used to see the effects of the new skincare products you’re trying, may start pointing out breakouts forming under your skin.

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