self-cultivation

noun

self-cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌself-ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

: the development of one's mind or capacities through one's own efforts : self-culture

The emphasis here is on education for self-cultivation rather than for jobs and on retirement and leisure rather than work.

—O. B. Hardison, Jr.

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above