Why Choice is the Ultimate Form of Self-Care
This past week has been hard. Really hard. We knew the floor was going to fall out under reproductive healthcare rights, but it still feels surreal. As someone who is beyond having children and who lives in a state that respects and empowers bodily autonomy for all, this news isn't as dire. But my entire spirit cries for the women and girls who this will impact the most.
This post isn't about whether abortion is right or wrong. I will not argue with anyone on the merits of the morals of personal choices. Talk of morals tends to lead to talk of religion and talk of religion should not be within 1000 miles of laws and how we are governed. This is about personal choice and as humans, why the ability to carve our own path is fundamental to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
This post is about being able to make fundamental decisions about our own futures. And the only people who seem to have those things governed are women and people of color. If you know me, you know I am a ride or die for women. I am also trying to be the best ally I can be to people of color by learning and listening. It is hard and uncomfortable but I am surrounded by so many wonderful women and LGBTQ+ folks of color that are willing to let me unlearn harmful things and open me up to new ideas and realties. I say all of this because to understand the importance of personal choice is to understand our world's history of stripping choice from women, the LGBTQ+, and from people of color. Choice equals power and those in power don't like the masses to have that taken from them when people choose otherwise.
Think of all the choices you make on a daily basis. The freedom to choose the who, what, when, where, and how of every day things. Freedom to choose is beautiful. It's empowering. It's enlivening. It's truly precious. Think of your life as it is now and remove the ability to choose the way your life plays out. That you are not in control of your destiny. This is the despair that women all over this country are feeling in this moment. It's heartbreaking. And the worst part of all of this is the most vulnerable of us will be hardest hit by this. Those without money to move or travel to get the healthcare they deserve. Those without support networks to care for them when tragedies will likely occur. Not to mention the entire notion of criminalizing this whole field of healthcare.
As a small business owner it can be hard to take a stand on what we feel is right and good for fear it will cause damage to our reputations and income. In this instance, I have the power to choose what side of history I will be on and I choose the side of bodily autonomy. I believe we hold our greatest power as women when we are able to choose what is best for us, our families, and our futures.
As a business, we will support the good works of organizations like Planned Parenthood, Indigenous Women Rising, and Access Reproductive Care Southeast. We are committed to helping them monetarily and with our time. Whether you decide to get an abortion or not is not important to us what is immensely important is that you have the power to make the choice yourself, for yourself.
You deserve to hold the keys to your future. That is the ultimate form of self-care.