The Whiteness of Wellness
A few months ago we first listened to an episode of Still Processing that is still ringing in our ears.
In this podcast episode, Still Processing hosts, Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham, discuss Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s viral article, “How Goop’s Haters Made Gwyneth Paltrow’s Company Worth $250 Million” with the NYT writer, herself.
Key themes / ideas discussed in this episode:
- Wellness “TM”
- The whiteness of wellness
- Wellness and privilege
- The problematic substructures of platforms such as Goop
- Unintentional racism
- Comparison
- Shame
- Wellness as a means of survival
- Wellness and marginalised groups
We encourage you to listen to the episode, here.
_____________________________________
Those who have followed Self Practice for a little while now, will know that we share often about products and practices that tend to our many facets of self. Whilst doing so, we recognise what a privilege this is - to make choices and investments that are conducive to, and compassionate toward, our wellbeing.
We are painfully aware of the underlying substructures of privilege in the world of ‘wellness’.
And at times, find it hard to be placed in a multi-trillion dollar industry that at large, seems to be blind to this.
This is where Self Practice hopes to be different.
Like you, we aim to be in endless discovery of what it means to feel well. And believe that the definition of ‘wellness’ is up for the individual to decide.
In sharing, we certainly don’t claim to have all the answers. In fact we’re far less focussed on answers; but asking mindful and meaningful questions.
That is what you will find here.
Questions,
and space.
Space for people to share that which works for them.
Space to explore. Space to listen. Space to be heard. Space to change your mind.
It is our hope that you come to a space like Self Practice with hopes to learn from our contributors, but not place yourself in comparison with them.
Let us not forget that each and every individual has varied values, priorities and resources. We all come from different backgrounds, with different experiences and have learned to tend to ourselves in fashions that are manifold.
Self care and self-practice is different for Every Body.
12 - 02 -19