Down with Capitalism! How to take Better Care of Yourself while living with Sickle Cell Disease
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
Audre Lorde
What is Capitalism?
From the time we are born, we are asked as children, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ Then, from childhood to adulthood, you change your mind, probably, many times, until you choose your career. By this point, the idea of capitalism – an economic system in which people own private property and use the labour of others in the pursuit of profit – is embedded in your brain. In capitalistic societies, it is seen as a normal thing to tie your identity to your job –leaving no room for individuals to figure out who they are. As we get older, we become more and more consumed with both our jobs (even, perhaps, bringing your job home with you!) and capitalism, which causes poor health for all people. For people with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the stakes of capitalism are higher.
How does Capitalism impact your Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health and Wellbeing?
Capitalism impacts our health in many ways. Capitalism relies on demanding workloads, which can cause stress for workers. For example, many people with SCD worry that we will not be able to make it past the probation period when placed in a new job because we may fall ill and fail to meet new job requirements. Capitalism also relies on low-paying wages, meaning that we might not be making enough money at our current job – this causes stress about our income. In capitalist societies, many workers have to pick up a second job to make ends meet, adding increased stress.
Having SCD, all these situations are likely for us at some point or another. Internalizing capitalism – or having the capitalist mindset – shapes our thoughts about how we want to be seen as ‘the same everyone else’ and ‘do what everyone else is doing.’ But, trying to ‘keep up’ (with capitalism) could have negative effects, including long and short-term illness as well as burnout.
Capitalism keeps us in this hamster wheel of just going, going, and going …. And, we don’t know how to stop! Being aware and mindful of this thinking pattern is the first way to free yourself from the capitalist mindset.
Breaking away from Capitalism: Setting Boundaries to Support your Mental Health
There are many ways that we can move away from the capitalist mindset and make more time for ourselves. Here are three suggestions:
Create a work/life balance. Leave ‘work’ at work and keep ‘home’ at home. This means not carrying work gossip home with you and leaving your home issues at home. When it is time for you to ‘clock out’, clock out. Do not stay past your time at work and set boundaries.
Notice how you talk to yourself and others. The capitalist mindset can creep into your conversations with your friends and family and you might even notice! Phases like ‘I worked like a dog today,’ ‘I’ll sleep when I die,’ or the popular phrase, ‘the grind mentality,’ might seem like regular, everyday conversations; however, these are also examples of how capitalism is embedded and normalized in our everyday language. Challenge the way you speak and to also listen to how those speak around you.
Remember – you are worth everything. Avoid tying your sense of self-worth to productivity. You’re still worthy even if you are not ‘doing something’ every single day. You can’t be helpful to others, including your family and friends, without helping yourself first. You are a human who deserves rest, nurturing, and care.
Learn More
Curious about capitalism and sickle cell disease? Check out the following articles!
Dr. Simon Dyson and colleagues’ (2021) article, “On the possibility of a disabled life in capitalist ruins: Black workers with sickle cell disorder in England”
Dr. Maria Berghs and colleagues’ (2021) article, ‘They Can Replace You at Any Time!’: (In)Visible Hyper-Ableism, Employment and Sickle Cell Disorders in England
About the Author
Bethany Morris (She/Her) is 30 years old. In her spare time, Bethany enjoys reading and working out. Bethany has her ECE Diploma and BA in Sociology. Bethany also enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends. Bethany blogs about living with sickle cell disease at The Banana Shaped Blood Cell.
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