Practicing self-care is so important, especially for us women who are constantly bombarded with rage-inducing incidents in the news. But taking care of yourself can look many ways, and what works for one woman may not work for another. While some people practice guided meditation, yoga or regular attend regular therapy sessions, my self-care is just me sorting myself into Ravenclaw over and over and over again.
Self-care is not a way to avoid or ignore the real world. It’s just a way to take care of your physical health so that you’re better equipped to deal with whatever the world throws your way. For me the only way to deal with the slog of womanhood is to go online every night and take Harry Potter quizzes that sort me into Ravenclaw, over and over, until I feel safe enough to fall asleep at night.
Some of my friends have said that there are better ways to stay grounded and centered. My best friend Carla told me self-care doesn’t just have to be Harry Potter stuff, but I don’t think she understands anything at all about what it means to be Ravenclaw. She recommended I try productive things like eating more mindfully or expressing gratitude? I don’t know what that’s about but it’s definitely wrong. I’d rather login to Pottermore and fill out all the questions in order to ensure I’m sorted into Ravenclaw, because it’s the house for intelligent and cool people, just like me.
All I’m saying is self-care looks different on different people. I’m not going to force you to take your virtual sorting hat quiz. Sorry, I don’t have the energy! I have to be selfish for once, and remind myself that the best way for me to recharge is to confirm over and over that I’m an out-of-the-box thinker and Cho Chang and I would have probably been best friends.
When it comes down to it, we’re all doing our best to survive this difficult political climate. I support other in seeking out the resources they need to survive. In return, I simply ask that when I receive a Howler from my parents, people support that the reason I’m in trouble is because I was caught in the library studying after hours for my Divination O.W.L.
Women must support other women, especially if those women are for sure Ravenclaws and find comfort in classifying themselves into a fictitious faction of a made-up magic school.
