The start of a new year is often shrouded in goals, resolutions, and promises to be bigger, better, and brighter than the year before. But this year, at PTW, we’re encouraging you to take your time. Ease into the year because, guess what? We’ve been through a lot over the last two years. We honestly have no idea what’s in store for 2022. While we’re hoping for the best, time has proved that these latter years have taken a lot of resiliency.

We often say that writing is a solitary sport, but you need to have a community behind you because it’s also daunting. Sometimes we’re writing about really hard subject matter. Most often we’re dealing with a ton of rejection. The work can take its toll in many ways. That’s where self-care comes in!

I think most of us realize that it’s not just about getting a pedicure or taking a long bath, right? But it’s about knowing your worth when it comes to the rate you’re offered for a story. It’s protecting your writing time fiercely so you can make real progress on that thing you’ve been hoping to write all year. It’s “no” sometimes being a complete sentence.

This month, we wanted to highlight a few books we think can really help you on your self care and wellness journey. From straight on self-help to inspiring stories, below are a few of our faves.

Becoming, Michelle Obama

Come on, Mrs. Obama is just that girl. And her reflection in her memoir is a beautiful story. I’m pretty sure I cried, but that’s besides the point. Sometimes self care can be evident in this idea of being seen. And Becoming does that for so many of us. You will see parts of yourself in pieces of her story. She also released a companion journal to accompany you in telling your own story. Maybe passing your story along one day so that someone else can see themselves in you.

Life, I Swear, Chloe Dulce Louvouezo

Sharing the namesake as her popular podcast, Life, I Swear is a collection of essays from prominent Black women reflecting on self-love and healing. With a foreword and essay from Elaine Welteroth, author of More Than Enough, the book also features Eniafebiafe Isis Adewale, Lauren Ash, and Gabrielle Williams among many others. This beautiful mix of photography, storytelling, and perspective will definitely leave you feeling connected to these experiences that are shared candidly and authentically.

Self-Care for Black Women, Oludara Adeeyo

There is a specific experience at the intersection of being Black and woman and Oludara Adeeyo is saying, “I see you” in her latest, Self Care for Black Women. This book looks at the specifics of what it means to care for self as a Black woman and gives us more than 150 practices to bring out happiness, fulfillment, and peace in our daily lives. More specifically these practices highlight ways to navigate microaggressions, a bias healthcare system, societal beauty standards and more.

The Little Book of Self-Healing, Nneka Okona

A follow up to her debut, Self-Care for Grief, The Little Book of Self Healing is a guide to assist you in your journey of self healing. A wholistic view of mind, body, and spirit, the book features over 150 practices to help you achieve balance. (If that’s a real thing right?) But as close as we can get to it, this little book packs a powerful punch and has great tools to assist with dealing with stress, trauma, and harmful thinking. And who couldn’t use a little more of that these days?

Feeding the Soul, Tabitha Brown

Hello there! Now, you know Tab is the internet’s favorite auntie! We have been witness to her meteoric rise during the pandemic that has propelled her into a league all her own. Her personal stories serve as a base for the inspiration that she passes on to others. And the book even includes a few vegan recipes. What we feed ourselves is also evidence of how well we care for ourselves, right?

These are a few of our faves, but you can check out our full list of books for self care in 2022 on Bookshop.org.

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