🍄 Self-care or self-sabotage?

Hi Reader,

I was recently looking at a model of psychedelic integration from the MAPS Integration Station, and one thing caught my eye, this idea of self-care vs self-challenging.

We know self-care is important. We know that we need gentleness with ourselves. Especially right after intense journeys.

But sometimes the idea of 'self-care' can also be a mask. A way to justify laziness. A way to avoid things we would actually benefit from facing. Sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone, to challenge ourselves and grow.

Lately, I’ve slipped into a short phase of less-than-great habits: watching comedy in bed before sleep, skipping my morning movement practice, enjoying the company of the plant spirit ganja a little often.

Now don't get me wrong, I love comedy, I had pulled my glute which made running difficult, and I do benefit from the occasional loosening and dreaming I get from the green herb. All of these habits are nourishing in a way, and when in balance, but when the balance slides, they become destructive and hold me back.

I'm not caring for myself then, I'm sabotaging myself.

See, cutting yourself some slack can be beautiful. It can be medicine. But it can also become a slippery slope. “Being kind to yourself” can, paradoxically, turn into ignoring the parts of you that actually need care, the parts that show up as structure, discipline, and challenge.

Lying in bed for an extra hour might feel like self-care.
But so might getting up and going for a run.

Both are valid, depending on where you’re really at.

That’s the thing, it depends. And the only one who can truly know is you.

So here’s the invitation today. Take an honest check in with yourself, your actions and your habits.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

🌀How’s your rhythm right now? Are you tending to your needs or dodging your growth?

🌀Is there something which looks like self-care, but is tipping into indulgence?

🌀Where could a little more challenge actually be a form of care?

No shame, no blame, just a friendly call to look at your balance.

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Something interesting come up? Hit reply and tell me, I’d love to hear.

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🎵Psychedelic Supplements

Here's the MAPS integration station if you wanna nosey around:

Speaking of sabotage, if I was a wrestler, this would be my entrance music

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And if you need to Shake That Body

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❤️ Love and mettā,

John

John Robertson​
​Psychedelic Facilitator & Educator​
​Maps of the Mind​
​
​Webdelics' Top 100 Psychedelic Thought Leaders and Content Creators​ 2025
Buzzfeed Top 20 Psychedelic Blogs and Websites 2025

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