When we think about self-care, we often view it as a series of tasks to perform—activities intended to help us relax or recharge from the pressures placed upon us by others. The very concept implies a degree of self-worth and self-acceptance, a mindset that can feel elusive and may even take a lifetime to cultivate. We are presented with idealized portrayals of self-care, particularly in advertisements, where we see women brushing their teeth with bright smiles, sensually shaving their legs, overjoyed to cook themselves a meal. These images suggest a sense of ease and fulfillment that is often far removed from reality. Getting out of bed can feel like climbing a steep mountain, the act of reaching for a comb or toothbrush resembling a long, exhausting trek, unable to find the motivation to merely eat a meal. For those grappling with self-acceptance, there is little romance in the notion of self-care. Through my drawings, I aim to explore the conflict between these societal expectations of self-care—cleaning, eating, grooming—and the feelings of dread and despair that arise when one is unable to meet these standards, or struggling with so called menial tasks. My work seeks to capture the complexity of these emotions through facial expression in self portraits, and the portrayal of the subject matter through the use of more grotesque colors, inviting viewers to reflect on the often-unseen struggles that accompany the journey toward self-acceptance.