Self Care

Penelope Scott's song 'Self Care' delves into the often superficial and performative nature of modern self-care practices. The lyrics list various self-care activities, such as smearing honey on your face, cutting nails, and doing makeup, which are commonly promoted as solutions to stress and anxiety. However, Scott's tone is laced with irony and skepticism, suggesting that these actions are insufficient for addressing deeper emotional and mental health issues. The repetition of 'maybe if you tried more' highlights societal pressure to constantly improve oneself, often through trivial means, to achieve a semblance of happiness or normalcy.

The chorus, with its emphatic 'I'm not like that,' serves as a powerful rejection of these superficial solutions. Scott asserts her individuality and refusal to conform to these expectations, emphasizing that such methods will not bring genuine well-being. The line 'It won't be okay, I don't want it like that' underscores a sense of disillusionment and a desire for more meaningful approaches to self-care and mental health.

In the second verse, Scott explores more extreme and destructive behaviors, such as doing drugs, having sex, and buying guns, as potential outlets for coping with stress and depression. These actions are presented as equally futile, with the acknowledgment that they will never be enough to satisfy societal expectations or personal needs. The song critiques the idea that one must 'fix the whole world by yourself' to be deserving of happiness, highlighting the unrealistic and damaging nature of such beliefs. Ultimately, 'Self Care' is a raw and honest commentary on the inadequacy of superficial self-care practices and the importance of seeking deeper, more authentic solutions to mental health challenges.