This is my version of punk

Is being a punk and taking care of yourself really a contradiction? Many people automatically deny that this way of life and self-care can coexist well with each other. As if one really excludes the other, as if punk is all about destruction, anger and noise, and quality me-time can only be achieved with soft blankets, candles and endless meditation music.

For me, these complement each other very well. In fact punk has always been about not letting ourselves be crushed. About asking questions. About not automatically accepting what is offered. In that sense, it also fits perfectly with the self-care that I have already repeated many times.

Since I've been writing this blog, a piece of personal story slips into every post. However, even though this is my site, I don't want it to be all about me, I want to touch on topics that are interesting to more people or even part of their everyday lives. But self-help, as you've probably read, is a very important topic in my recent past. Focusing on this has helped me through situations that I'm deliberately not writing about in more detail now, I don't want to use this platform to air my laundry. I'm telling my personal stories as examples, so I hope what I'm writing about is more authentic, because I'm not an expert. These are not rules, but they're not really advice either, just the things that have helped me personally in the past.

I also don't want it to be the only voice. My goal is not to constantly pour out or chant 'just take care of yourself'. On the contrary, I am very interested in how we can force ourselves to create and relax even when life seems like just staying alive. Fortunately, I am over this part and in the process I haven't always lost my mind or myself like before, but I haven't solved everything completely alone either, the presence, attention and patience of my loved ones are also part of this journey. I will talk about this in more detail later, so there will be room for more cheerful topics this year, but I still wanted an authentic conclusion where I can tell you my punk version of self-care:

You don't respond immediately. Not everything is urgent just because someone else feels it is. Of course, this is selected by your story, and I leave it to those who participate in it to decide.

You ask before you say yes. Even to yourself.

You give yourself time to think. Impulsive reactions are not always freedom. It is also important to say here that I am now talking about those situations that cause you to have a strange feeling that you cannot immediately articulate.

You pay attention to what draws you in and what fills you up. You don't moralize, you just acknowledge it.

You don't constantly explain yourself all the time. Your boundaries are not a topic of discussion.

You take care of your body in the way that works best for you at the time. If that means a slight deviation from the plan, you don't beat yourself up about it. This probably doesn't need any further explanation.

The pieces in this photo selection were taken in Bratislava and for me they are about the fact that opposites do not necessarily cancel each other out. Luxury and desolation are the Louis Vuitton-patterned graffiti on the wall of the ruined house. Hope and decline are the inscription on the windowless building: Renovate me! Or beauty and trash where a rainbow is projected next to the bags. They all fit well together. Just like punk and self-care. Not as opposites, but existing alongside each other. I hereby promise that I will not write these two words again in this document, I think you understand what I wanted with it.

You don't have to agree, I'm glad if you just think about it.

Let's continue next month,

Ivett