Incoming Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has yet to begin her new job in Washington, D.C. but she is already feeling burned out.
The New York Congresswoman-elect told supporters on Monday that her major lifestyle changes have left her feeling worn and she will be taking a “week of self-care” to recuperate.
“I am starting a week of self-care where I am taking the week off and taking care of me. I don’t know how to do that though, so I would appreciate any and all self-care tips,” she said in a video posted to her Instagram account.
Adding a list of “signs of burnout,” the 29-year-old Democratic Socialist pointed out the importance of self-care for activists “because without it we WILL burn out and walk away.”
“So while I’m not going to Cancun or anything, I HAVE decoded to drive to upstate NY and spend a few days in the middle of nowhere,” she noted.
Ocasio-Cortez echoed her comments on Twitter where she remarked again about the importance of self-care, especially for “working people, immigrants, & the poor,” because it is “political.”
I’m taking a few days to take care of myself before what is sure to be an eventful term.
For working people, immigrants, & the poor, self-care is political – not because we want it to be, but bc of the inevitable shaming of someone doing a face mask while financially stressed./1 https://t.co/EWdWFmPwet
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 17, 2018
So I’ve decided to take others along with me on IG as I learn what self-care even means and why it’s important.
Feel free to comment here & share any resources or suggestions that have been helpful to you ⬇️
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 17, 2018
She lamented the loss of her comfortable lifestyle before she unseated incumbent New York Democrat Joe Crowley and went on to become the youngest woman to be elected to Congress.
“Before the campaign, I used to practice yoga 3-4x/week, eat nutritiously, read and write for leisure,” she wrote on Instagram. “As soon as everything kicked up, that all went out the window. I went from doing yoga and making wild rice and salmon dinners to eating fast food for dinner and falling asleep in my jeans and makeup.”
“I keep things raw and honest on here since I believe public servants do a disservice to our communities by pretending to be perfect,” she added. “It makes things harder for others who aspire to run someday if they think they have to be superhuman before they even try.”
Fans of the New York congresswoman-elect praised her remarks on Twitter.
Love @Ocasio2018’s honesty here about taking care of yourself, avoiding burnout, and challenging the misconceptions and double standards inherent in the idea of “working hard.” @AditiJuneja3 @SelfCareSundays pic.twitter.com/Q328sXIQCj
— Billy Freeland (@policyjunkie) December 17, 2018
OK, you just got even more amazing with your focus on self care from me! Maybe one of the most important things we can do to help others sustain-ably is to enact self care!
— Adam Robinson (@AdamRobinsonCDM) December 17, 2018
Many others, however, criticized Ocasio-Cortez for her lack of understanding about what struggles real working class people are facing.
You literally have the ability to politicize every single thing in life..even simple things like a face mask become a negative, complicated subject with you. Go away, enjoy your few days and give us all a break from your constant attention seeking.
— Cathy Maguire (@CathyMaguirexox) December 17, 2018
Unlike you Brian, she represents my district. So unfortunately the community I live in will reap the results of her self-involvement and obsession with social media. Would be much more comfortable to see her reading a book or two and preparing for the job at hand.
— Cathy Maguire (@CathyMaguirexox) December 17, 2018
I’m not able to take care of myself because of the “individual mandate” in ObamaCare & your proposed Universal Health Care. Politicians like you suck my money dry so I have no cash to buy healthy foods & get work on my back.
Why do you lie to the kids?
— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) December 17, 2018
DK, a lot of people working two, or three, or even more jobs don’t have the luxury of a “mental health day”. Taking that day off could mean the rent doesn’t get paid, or food doesn’t go on the table, or the power gets shut off. That’s the entire point of this 1/
— [Insert Name Here] (@AKA_The_Law) December 17, 2018
To be honest, I don’t think many in our community even know what “self-care” means. What’s worse is being burnt out, yet not having the luxury to be burnt out, and having to push through anyway…
— Schrödinger’s Snowflake (@SchrodSnoFlake) December 17, 2018
Taking a few days off before your job has even started?? Must be nice
— John Paul (@JohnPaul_the_II) December 18, 2018
I love your openness, but on this one, i gotta say- STOP. You honestly think you will be “shamed” for taking time for yourself? No one would even know about this self-care time if you didn’t post it on Twitter. Not every single event in your life is note-worthy.
— Lisa Foley (@Broker_Lady) December 17, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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