Real vs. Faux Self-Care
What’s one example of “faux” self-care that might feel good in the moment but doesn’t address the root cause of burnout?
What is buying a face mask instead of addressing a toxic work environment?
What’s one sign you might need to set a boundary?
What is feeling resentful, overwhelmed, or drained?
Real self-care starts with knowing your ___.
What is values?
What is individual self-care in a broken system?
What is it’s not a substitute for structural change?
Name one small daily practice that could count as real self-care.
What is saying no to a request that drains you?
What’s a key difference between real and faux self-care?
What is real self-care is internally driven, while faux self-care is external and often marketed?
Fill in the blank: “No is a ___.”
What is complete sentence?
What might happen if you engage in self-care that doesn't align with your values?
What is it can feel hollow or performative?
Give one example of how systemic oppression affects access to real self-care.
What is low-wage workers not having paid time off?
What is one way activists can model real self-care to others?
What is by showing transparency around rest, boundaries, or asking for help?
True or False:Real self-care always feels good in the moment.
What is false?
What’s one way boundaries help us practice real self-care?
What is by protecting our energy and honoring our needs?
How do your identities (race, gender, role in community, etc.) impact your self-care choices?
What is they shape what's accessible and acceptable for you, and how you're treated?
What is “toxic wellness culture” according to the book?
What is when self-care becomes another standard to meet or product to buy?
True or False: You have to do self-care alone.
What is false?
Why might faux self-care feel easier to do?
What is because it doesn’t challenge the systems we live in or require deep self-reflection?
Name a myth about boundaries.
What is that setting boundaries makes you selfish or unkind?
Why is reflecting on identity crucial for activists practicing self-care?
What is because it helps us resist burnout and care for ourselves in context?
What does the book say about self-care and collective care?
What is they go hand in hand—real self-care supports the larger movement.
What’s a real self-care decision you’ve made that felt hard but necessary?
(Open for discussion)
How might internalized capitalism or productivity culture influence what we label as “self-care”?
What is we may feel guilty resting or think self-care has to be “earned” through overwork, turning it into a reward instead of a necessity?
What’s an example of a boundary that may feel risky to set in activist work, but could be an act of real self-care?
What is saying no to unpaid emotional labor, stepping back from a role when burned out, or not responding to messages immediately?
What is real self-care is a “decision-making framework.” How can knowing your values guide your choices when you're overwhelmed or unsure?
What is values give clarity in chaos—they help you choose based on what matters most, not just what’s expected or urgent?
What’s a way we can challenge oppressive systems through self-care instead of seeing it as separate from the work of justice?
What is honoring your humanity as resistance, prioritizing joy and rest as political acts, or modeling sustainable leadership to counter burnout culture?
Imagine a group member is pushing themselves to keep going despite signs of burnout. Based on the book, how could you support them in practicing real self-care?
What is affirming their right to rest, gently naming what you’re observing, encouraging boundaries, or helping them reconnect to their values?