In this video I’m doing something I don’t really do on my channel: a “self-care” style routine that honestly has me questioning… is this self-care, or is it just consumerism with better lighting? I got a request for an ear cleaning video, so I do ear cleaning with a tool that was sent to me (with drops + warm water suction + the little spiral tip situation), and then I also do what was actually requested—ear cleaning with Q-tips. I’m very upfront that I’m not a product junkie, I’m not consumer-driven, and I never want my content to feel like buy-buy-buy. I also do some skincare because my face gets really red and blotchy in harsh New York weather (my skin is super sensitive and I’ve wondered if it’s rosacea). I put on a face mask, try to clean up the chaos on my counter, and then we get into the real talk: single-use “self-care” can be messy, overstimulating, and not relaxing at all—especially when you’re neurodivergent. I dry brush my scars from my double mastectomy and talk about how I’m trying to take care of my body without turning it into a shopping problem. The takeaway is basically: actual self-care is water, therapy, fresh air, and slowing down—everything else can slide real quick into consumerism.