Hyperindividualism vs Self-Care: Why This New Term Is Confusing People | #109

As self-care becomes more widely accepted, new terms can sometimes muddy the waters instead of clarifying them. In this Daily Dose of Dawn at dawn, Dawn Super breaks down the term hyperindividualism and explains why it’s not the same as healthy self-care. This episode helps listeners understand where definitions matter, how poorly defined psychology terms can derail personal growth, and why taking care of yourself is still necessary for sur-thrival - survival with a little thriving mixed in.

Watch the Video Here or Read the Script below

Just when more people are finally starting to understand that self-care isn't selfish, here comes this new term, hyperindividualism.

This video is for anyone who's not 100% solid on their self-care game or does not quite understand that putting yourself first is necessary to the sur-thrival.

Yes, that's survival with a little thriving thrown in there for our overdone species. That's us with our challenges. Just overdone.

This is the daily dose of Dawn at dawn, number 109. videos designed to expand your thinking.

So, why do we want to learn this? Because definitions matter.

I've been knee deep in my own personal growth for over a decade, and things like poorly defined psych terms can really set people back in their personal growth.

I go through this a lot in my one-on-one coaching. Like toxic positivity. The only way positivity is toxic is if someone feels dismissed by it.

No positivity by itself is toxic. It's in the application of that positivity.

Like when you slam your finger in the car door and Sally says just think positive, not helpful.

Welcome back to my happy matters collective. If you're new here, thanks for giving us a try.

So, how did this come into my awareness? I just heard this word hyperindividualism in a video of some sort and I thought, "Oh man, what now?" [laughter]

We just stopped crying over having to say no to people and now they're going to make us doubt ourselves over something else.

So, I'm talking about it because the more you know, the more you grow.

And you don't want to hear something like that and think, "Oh no, is that me? Am I hyperindividualistic?" and then you stop taking care of yourself.

Hyperindividualism is not basic self-care.

It's not staying home because it's too peoplely outside.

It's not saying no to your neighbor's paint and sip night because you don't paint or sip.

Hyperindividualism is pulling out your phone and recording a Tik Tok without giving a single thought to who's around you.

It's using all the hot water in the house for a triple long shower because you're more important even though you don't pay the bill.

Let's just say if you've gotten this far into listening to this video or reading this transcript, you probably don't have to worry about hyperindividualism.

So, just don't. Okay?

If you hear it, just ignore it. Keep self-care going, especially if you just started.

So just like in order for positivity to be toxic, someone needs to feel dismissed by it.

In order for your actions to be considered hyperindividualism, you need to be saying "screw everyone else" all the time. No one is more important than me.

Obviously, that's not a good thing to do.

There's a creator that I've watched, Jimmy On Relationships. He is really good at explaining what it looks like when you're in a relationship with someone who's not necessarily healthy.

And one of his things that he says is that checking in if you're a narcissist, like just asking, "Am I a narcissist?" means you're probably not a narcissist because a narcissist wouldn't care.

If you're navigating relationships post trauma, Check out Jimmy's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@jimmyonrelationships. Definitely worth watching his videos.

If you're concerned that you might be hyperindividualistic, you're probably not.

Wanna go deeper? Check this one out:

Go through How To Be On Your Own Side with Dawn!

Coming soon!

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