Several years ago, self-care became more than just a buzzword. It was a movement exhausted housewives embraced, taking time for themselves in the name of self-preservation.
The trend was etched into lore and “Mom needs a break” became fashionable, permitting women to exhale, even if it was a quick trip to the spa. Fast-forward to 2025 and self-care morphed into an extreme version of itself.
A recent Men’s Health article dissected the intersection between self-care and beauty. Yes, the two have an intertwined bond. We’ll explain further below.
Looksmaxxing
Popularized on TikTok, looksmaxxing is an attempt to improve physical appearance, whether it be via basic beauty routines or cosmetic surgery.
The trend gives way to a darker and more sinister quest for perfection. Social media hasn’t made it easier for the younger generation to accept themselves as they are. The pressure to be attractive is harder with the main target market being young men.
Algorithmically predisposed to the “manosphere” subculture, the BBC says looksmaxxing assigns “scores” to male features, emphasizing the jawline, muscularity, and skin.
And, one way of achieving a chiseled jawline is reportedly by chewing gum or using a gua’sha. Dr Stuart Murray tells the BBC that most of these trends tout themselves as evidence-based when there’s no science to back up the claims. “It’s really shocking,” adds the director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of Southern California.
Hyper-Productivity
Whatever happened to “take a chill pill”? Isn’t that the intended aim of self-care? Hyper-productivity is meant to condense all your self-care goals in one day.
From meditation to working out to journaling, it’s an overwhelming exercise in futility. Turning your self-care into a checklist undermines the very act itself. It moves the focus from putting yourself first to meeting the expectations you place upon yourself.
The result is feelings of guilt, burnout, and total exhaustion. All you need is a vacation. Known for its small-town vibes and freshwater coastline, Michigan is ideal for slowing things down.
The state is a beacon for cannabis enthusiasts who flock to its shores in search of high-quality products. New Buffalo, also home to the cheapest dispensary in Michigan, was voted one of the Fifty Best Places to Travel in 2022 by Travel + Leisure.
It’s not hard to see why. The historic Lake Michigan town has an inviting community spirit that welcomes travelers in tune with cannabis culture.
With an impressive array of strains, you can sit back, relax, forget about hyper-productivity, and concentrate on being present. From energizing sativas to calming indicas, Vibe Dispensaries says each offers a distinct experience.
There’s also the convenience of visiting a cannabis dispensary online or via cannabis apps. Following the age verification, confirm and review the successfully submitted quantity,” save for later, or logout once your saved products and cart log out confirmations are validated.
Toxic Positivity
We’re in an age where “staying positive” is the norm. Standing in front of the mirror and continuously rattling positive affirmations does more harm than good.
“I am love. I am light. I am worth it.” Yes, but do you believe what you’re saying, and is it making you feel better?
Researchers found that bottling up emotions can lead to stress and other health-related issues. Published in the International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, the study authors noted that recognizing and processing emotions enhances mental clarity and well-being.
They stressed that expressing emotions healthily – through conversation, therapy, or self-reflection – is vital for long-term mental well-being.
Forbes reports that toxic positivity causes emotional suppression. Psychologists warn that maintaining a positive disposition to attract desires will push away negative emotions instead of processing them.
Social Media’s Influence
The past several years have seen wellness culture and self-care merge into a combustible bubble, waiting to explode.
From the darkest recesses of TikTok to Instagram’s curated lifestyle, the pressure is mounting for Gen-Z to maintain their flawless facades.
Looksmaxxing is tainted with misogyny and toxic masculinity. It’s teaching young men that to get by, you have to look the part. Where’s the self-care message in that?
Hyper-productivity is a term coined to meet unbearable expectations, demanding we wake at 5 am to do breathwork, meditate, and journal. Half the day is gone by the time you’ve completed your “self-care” rituals.
Let’s get real; staying positive takes a lot out of us emotionally. Sometimes, the best thing to do is scream into a pillow. Frustration can be a good emotion if channeled the right way.
The bottom line is that self-care is about taking care of yourself, emotionally and mentally. If that means taking a trip to Michigan and lighting up a cannabis vape, so be it.