Tipsheet

AOC Announces She Needs a 'Self-care' Break Before Her Job as a Congresswoman Even Begins

Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t been sworn in yet but she already needs a break.

“I’m taking a few days to take care of myself before what is sure to be an eventful term,” the democratic socialist said on Twitter. 

“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. 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.”

The progressive New Yorker then invited her followers to share their experiences and advice on self-care.

On Instagram, she lamented how she has not been able to do yoga or other relaxing activities since she stepped into the political arena.  

“Before the campaign, I used to practice yoga 3-4x/week, eat nutritiously, read and write for leisure,” she said. “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.”

Part of her week of relaxation will include spending “a few days in the middle of nowhere” in upstate New York. 

She will begin her new job as an elected official on January 3.