Enesetäiendust

Enesetäiendust is a term used in Estonian discourse to describe the practice of self-providing additional resources or enhancements to support a given activity or condition, without formal procurement, oversight, or guidance from an organization or professional. The term combines enese- meaning "self" and täiendust meaning "supplement" or "augmentation." It is used across domains such as nutrition, education, and technology to discuss a common tendency: individuals augment existing provisions through self-directed means.

In nutrition, enesetäiendust refers to people taking dietary supplements, using fortified foods, or adopting self-prescribed regimens. In education, it denotes self-guided study and the use of supplementary materials—online courses, textbooks, and practice tools—to augment formal schooling. In technology and consumer products, it can describe adding extensions, plugins, or user-supplied components to increase functionality or performance.

Potential motivations include personal goals, perceived gaps in formal provisions, cost considerations, or access to resources outside institutional channels. Critics caution about inconsistent quality, safety risks from unregulated products, drug-supplement interactions, misinformation, and the erosion of professional oversight. Proponents emphasize increased agency, customization, and rapid access to resources, particularly when formal channels lag behind user needs.

Regulation and quality control vary by domain and country. Guidance from health authorities and adherence to product labeling and safety standards are advised for individuals engaging in enesetäiendust related to health or safety. See also related concepts such as self-medication and self-directed learning for broader context.