July 4, 2026- Self-care

It is not unreasonable for me to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.

~David Hume

Our entire nervous system is designed to protect us. Is it any surprise that we can be self-centered at times? Should it shock us that the hangnail or the paper cut we’re suffering from takes up more space in our brains than whatever existential crisis the world might be dealing with? Our systems are designed to keep us safe and when we are not feeling a sense of safety, it’s difficult to devote thinking power to anything but that.

Our habits can go a long way to creating that sense of safety. They can set a foundation that will allow many of our basic needs to be met without needing special actions or extra decisions. Once we have that, we can get to work on helping others to feel that same sense of safety and comfort. Then, when they might have space for it, they can reciprocate or pay it forward. Sometimes, we must be selfish before we have the capacity to be selfless.

Our capacity to help improves as we take better care of ourselves. Let’s use self-care as the routine maintenance that allows us to optimize that capacity. When our gas lights come on, that’s not our car being selfish, and we understand what’s going to happen if we are unwilling to stop for gas. Let’s fill up our own tanks. Let’s make sure we’re ready to be selfless. Let’s care for ourselves like we care for someone we love.