Self Love Laurie Penny Analysis

In the article written by Laurie Penny, she reviews the overall idea of self-love. She raises the question on whether or not all this self-love thinking could actually be harmful. Not only does she examine both the personal benefits, but the disadvantages as well. Penny also discusses how the terms ‘self-care’ and ‘wellbeing’ fit into the lives of young people and affects us as a society. Penny confesses in the article that she has been practicing yoga for a few years and the it has “Changed [her] life to an extent that [she] almost resent[s]”. Through this, she has taught herself inner strength to prevent herself from laughing as the instructor dismisses the class. Penny also has begun to take walks out in the park so she can have some free thinking, and she has also just taken a few days off of work to stay in bed. According to the National Wellness Institute, the definition for wellness (in 1977) is “An active process which people become aware of, and make choices towards a more successful existence.” By doing yoga and taking walks, Penny has the potential to fulfill this state of wellness. But as she is aware of how her choice to participate in these activities had changed her life, she is also

Nowadays, everyone from politicians to our employers are putting out the ideas that “If we are sick, sad, and exhausted, the problem isn’t one of economics” but that these problems are a result of our lack of responsibility. “Society is not mad or messed up, you are.” This idea relates to the readings from The Wellness Syndrome where it is pointed out that employers have taken such an active role in individual wellness, that they are almost able to dictate the lives of their employees. By everyone taking part in wellness plans (whether it be at work or on social media), it creates an individual obsession that distracts from a larger argument: is wellness a luxury or a human