Being at home for weeks during COVID-19 has shown me that I could be a lot gentler and kinder to myself in terms of growth and goal-getting. And I’ve realized that some of the learning and reading I’ve done has actually been self-care for my mind.
One of my favorite activities is reading, most of all in the YA fiction department. Fantasy romance is my ultimate indulgence. That’s definitely self-care!
But I want to give you a list of some books that truly left me better than they found me. They were beautifully crafted to nurture minds. And self-care is truly caring for yourself in some way, in whatever area of life you need at the moment.
You might not have the books in this list sitting on your shelf. Did you know you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library? One way to do this is through the Libby app. You can also find so many affordable used books at sites like thriftbooks.com that will bring them right to your door!
And as always, we want to support our local Wichita bookstores! Watermark Books is offering curbside pickup. You can check online to see their selection. Eighth Day Books is also offering curbside service or you can have books shipped to you.
Now here’s a selection of my favorite self-care books to get you started:
For the Love by Jen Hatmaker
Insightful and oh, so funny. Self-care means giving ourselves a little grace and that’s what this book is about. This book started lifting me out of a space where I felt I was doing a terrible job of everything.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
You don’t have to be a writer to enjoy this – it will enhance all the words in your life. We all need to really see life’s stories and find our voice.
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
I think you either love her or you don’t. I had never heard an author be so vulnerable. From insecurities about sex, motherhood and writing; it resonated with me and showed me another way. My biggest breakthrough was about keeping a promise to myself.
You’ Are A Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
Mind-blown! How much peace can you have with a better money mindset?
The Horse, the Boy the Mole, and the Fox by Charlie Macksey
Full of sweet ink drawings and quotable text. Just an adorable hammock book.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A fairytale for your SOUL.
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown
After reading this about living wholeheartedly, I wrote three words on my mirror – courage, compassion, connection.
Finish by Jon Acuff
So practical for figuring how to actually get myself from Point A to Point B. I recommend the audio book – he adds little bits and it’s super enjoyable.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
For all the creatives of any kind! This was like having an owner’s manual to understand that I should take my craft seriously…and not seriously at all!
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
This classic allegory takes Much-Afraid on a journey to the mountains, where she hopes to be transformed. I relate so hard.
