Presents

Easy
Self-Care
Tips
 This sampler © 2020 by Quirk Productions, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced
in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Basic Witches copyright © 2017 by Jaya Saxena

and Jess Zimmerman
ISBN: 978-1-59474-977-3

Breakfast for Dinner copyright © 2013 by Lindsay Landis

and Taylor Hackbarth
ISBN: 978-1-59474-613-0

Girls Resist! copyright © 2018 by KaeLyn Rich

ISBN: 978-1-68369-059-7

Summer Cocktails copyright © 2015 by Quirk Productions, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-59474-785-4

Sampler designed by Molly Rose Murphy

Quirk Books
215 Church Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
quirkbooks.com
 CONTENTS

Make a Self-Care Plan���������������������������������� 5

How to Care for Your Future Self��������������������7
Cheap and Easy Self-Care Ideas�������������������� 9
Treat Yourself to Brunch This Weekend���������� 10
Witchy Workout Moves������������������������������� 17
The Power of Journaling������������������������������ 18
A Spell to Keep Going�������������������������������� 19
LET’S FACE IT: whether you’re going to work
at a hospital or grocery story or cooped up
at home, your mental and physical health has
probably taken a major hit. It’s easy to neglect
ourselves in favor of our work and social
obligations, whether you’re making masks,
checking in on your friends and neighbors, or
trying to juggle work and childcare. And it’s all
too easy to lose hours endlessly scrolling on
our phones and focusing on the terrible news.
Everything that’s going on matters, but you do
too. Caring for the whole you—your body,
mind, and heart—matters. That’s where this
sampler comes in. The tips and tricks within—
from witch calisthenics to cocktail recipes to
journaling prompts—are easy, cheap or free,
and fun. Best of all? They can be done within
the comfort of your home.
 Make a Self-Care Plan
ADAPTED FROM GIRLS RESIST! BY KAELYN RICH

It’s easy to admit that you’re in need of a little self-care. It’s harder to know what to actually
do about it. That’s where making a plan comes in.

Making a plan for self-care forces you to think about specific strategies and how to achieve them,
not just wave the concept off with a “Yeah, I’ll sleep eventually.” (Hint: “eventually” will never come.)
Self-care will feel less nebulous and more achievable if you start with the strategy, not the tactic. The
goal is to get you feeling fresh and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you. The target is you. Your
strategies depend on what helps you relax and what resources you have. Your resources may be
time, family, friends, media, money, or your cozy bed. Then figure out what to do by making a plan.

START WITH A MIND MAP

Start by drawing four circles and label them triggers, mind, body, and support network.

Triggers Body

Support
Mind Network

TRIGGERSFirst we’ll start with what makes you BODY ACTIVITIESnourish your body: yoga,
feel bad. What gets under your skin, makes you walking a dog, painting your nails, making a cup
seethe with rage, feel scared or afraid? Write of fancy tea, or even straight-up sleeping.
them around the triggers circle. Now let’s iden-
SUPPORT NETWORKis made up of peo-
tify what makes you feel good! What are the ac-
ple to whom you can go for advice: teachers,
tivities that help you relax, chill out, or unwind?
friends, family members, coaches, clergy lead-
Separate these into the mind and body circles.
ers, bosses, your cat. (Cats are people, too.) Re-
MIND ACTIVITIESnourish your mental and member that different people provide different
emotional health: reading a book, watching a support. Write these people around the support
movie, playing a game on your phone, or listen- network circle.
ing to music.

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Now, look at your plan: Do you see a lack of support or activities that take care of your mental or
physical health? What can you do in those areas? What people or communities can you connect with?
Write down what you can do to improve those areas. Then put your self-care plan somewhere you can
look at it regularly. If you don’t accomplish these goals all the time, it’s fine. Self-care shouldn’t be an
additional stressor—if it is, then don’t do that particular strategy. Reach out to your support network.
Schedule a video chat with a friend. Call a hotline. Everyone struggles. You are not alone. And you
certainly don’t have to figure it out all by yourself.

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 How to Care for Your Future Self
ADAPTED FROM BASIC WITCHES BY JAYA SAXENA AND JESS ZIMMERMAN

Self-care can be as easy as turning on the TV, as long as you do it with intention. This ritual for
a relaxing Netflix binge will help you unwind; the trick is to let yourself enjoy it without guilt!

Good television and movies are a conduit to other worlds,

Witches are allowed to relax,
experiences, and lives: a fictional little boy with superpow-
and watching endless episodes
ers, or a lonely teenage girl, or a rich family a thousand
miles away. Immersing yourself in their universe via Netflix
of TV is a fine way to do it.
binge can transport you not only mentally, but also emo-
Use this ritual to help cast off
tionally. There is also catharsis in watching bad television,
your guilt and giveyourself
which can provide the healing magic of putting yourself not
permission to go deep.
just elsewhere, but nowhere. Because although spells and
witchcraft may be all about stimulating the brain, sometimes
What You’ll Need: you just want your brain to turn off.
THE BIGGEST BLANKET The trick, however, is to watch without judgment. Society
YOU CAN FIND
puts so much pressure on us to be constantly productive—
YOUR FAVORITE SNACK
even our time to ourselves is supposed to be mentally or
YOUR FAVORITE STREAMING physically stimulating. A ritual is the perfect way to create the
SERVICE, READY TO WATCH
accepting space needed for this ultimate disappearing act.
Sit cross-legged and throw the blanket over your head,
so your whole body is completely covered. Close your
eyes, and envision the blanket slowly turning into a warm, golden ball of light. Then begin to hum,
imagining all your stress, guilt, or other concerns emanating from your body and into the golden
ball, where they break apart and disappear.
As the stress leaves your body, envision the golden light entering, filling you up and making every
cell radiate. Take stock of your emotions: Would a sad movie make you feel sadder, or do you want
to revel in those feelings? Do you want the comfort of watching a show you’ve seen a dozen times,
or are you ready to try something new?
When you feel like you have a good sense of what you want to watch, emerge from the blanket,
and take a bite of your snack. You are now ready to start watching.

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 Cheap and Easy Self-Care Ideas
ADAPTED FROM GIRLS RESIST! BY KAELYN RICH

How do you engage in self-care when you have limited time, money, and supplies? It’s
easy! These simple self-care hacks are cheap or free, and most can be done with limited
materials or none at all.

GO PLAY: Channel your inner child. Color an ENGAGE WITH NATURE: If you can do so
adult coloring book (or a kid one), build a Lego safely, taking a walk in nature will get your body
kit, make glitter slime, do a puzzle, go swing! moving and help your brain clear away negativi-
Got a small kid (or a pet) in your life? Play with ty. If that’s not an option, hanging out by an open
them! window, cultivating your houseplants, or even
just playing nature sounds can help you unwind.
GET STREAMING: Basic subscriptions to
many popular streaming services like Hulu and SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB: A shower or bath can
Netflix cost under $10, and many offer free tri- be the perfect thing when you need to literally
als. You can also find a lot of free (and legal) strip down and just be with yourself. This is also
movies on YouTube. a great time to wiggle around to some music or
do a mini-meditation.
READ A GOOD BOOK: Reading a good
book is both relaxing and engaging. Although UNPLUG TOTALLY: Most of us don’t even re-
many libraries are closed, some are still lend- alize how attached we are to our devices. If it
ing out e-books, plus many have cool digital doesn’t cause you too much anxiety, try turning
archives you can explore at will. Certain inde- off your phone and all electronics for an hour,
pendent bookstores are fulfilling online orders a day, or more. It’ll be weird at first, but you’ll
as well. If none of those options are available, probably feel more connected to yourself and
you can always curl up with an old favorite. what you actually want and need in your life.

CREATE A STRESS-FREE ZONE: Have a TAKE A NAP: #sleeptight

DIY relaxation experience. Light a candle or in-
cense, or use essential oils or your favorite co-
logne. Turn on relaxing music. Then do whatever
feels good. Dancing, yoga, stretching, or just
being perfectly still.

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 Treat Yourself to
Brunch This Weekend
CAN’T GO OUT FOR BRUNCH? No problem!
These delicious recipes will help you achieve the perfect
brunch at home. The best part? When you eat at home
in sweatpants, you never have to surreptitiously loosen
your belt buckle.

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 Shakshuka
EXCERPTED FROM BREAKFAST FOR DINNER
BY LINDSAY LANDIS & TAYLOR HACKBARTH

MAKES 3 TO 4 SERVINGS | TOTAL TIME: 45 MINUTES

Pronounced shak-SHOOK-a and meaning “all mixed up” in Hebrew, shakshuka is a tradi-
tional Middle Eastern breakfast of eggs poached in a thick, richly spiced tomato sauce. It’s
a one-dish wonder of a dinner: quick to prepare and completely satisfying.

1. In a large, deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.

2 TABLESPOONS EXTRA- Add onions, peppers, and jalapeños and cook until
VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
softened and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes.
1 MEDIUM YELLOW Add tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, cumin,
ONION, CHOPPED
smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper; lower heat
2 MILD PEPPERS (SUCH
AS ANAHEIM), SEEDED and simmer for 20 to 22 minutes, or until thickened.
AND CHOPPED
1 JALAPEÑO, SEEDED 2. Crack eggs on top of sauce; cover and cook for 6 to 8
AND FINELY CHOPPED minutes, or until whites are set and yolks are thick but
1 (28-OUNCE) CAN DICED runny (if you like firmer yolks, cook for 1 to 2 minutes
TOMATOES, WITH THEIR JUICES
more). Sprinkle parsley and feta cheese over top and
½ CUP VEGETABLE BROTH
serve with warm bread.
1 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN
1 TEASPOON SMOKED PAPRIKA
½ TEASPOON DRIED OREGANO Serve shakshuka family-style
½ TEASPOON SALT
with lots of toasty pita bread
¼ TEASPOON FRESHLY
GROUND BLACK PEPPER for soaking up the sauce.
6 TO 8 MEDIUM OR LARGE EGGS
2 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED
FLAT-LEAF PARSLEY
¼ CUP CRUMBLED FETA CHEESE
WARM PITA BREAD OR
BAGUETTE,* FOR SERVING
*PITA IS TRADITIONAL, BUT ANY
STURDY,CRUSTY BREAD WILL DO.

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 Classic Bloody Mary
EXCERPTED FROM SUMMER COCKTAILS BY MARIA DEL MAR SACASA

SERVES 1

Hangovers happen, and cures for them have been peddled and promoted for as long
as the perpetrator has existed. Magic cures, potions, rituals—whatever the antidote is
purported to be, the Bloody Mary has withstood the test of time as the companion to that
morning misery. This version is a stepping stone. Add and subtract condiments to suit your
palate and, if you’re smart, make a pitcher a day ahead to avoid fumbling for the ingredi-
ents in the morning.

Zest the ½ lime and then cut it in half. In a small saucer,

SALT RIM combine salt, pepper, celery salt, and lime zest, rubbing
½ LIME zest into mixture with fingertips. Run a lime wedge along
2 TABLESPOONS COARSE the rim of a chilled highball glass. Dip rim into salt mixture
SALT, SUCH AS MALDON and set glass aside.
SEA SALT, CRUSHED
In a shaker, stir together all cocktail ingredients to com-
2 TEASPOONS FRESHLY
bine. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Fill the
GROUND BLACK PEPPER
prepared highball glass with ice, add drink, and garnish
1 TEASPOON CELERY
SALT, OPTIONAL as desired with celery, olives, or scallop skewer. If de-
sired, serve with a beer chaser.
COCKTAIL
¾ CUP V8, CHILLED
2 TABLESPOONS CLAM Variation: The Quite Contrary
JUICE, CHILLED
2 TABLESPOONS FRESHLY For the salt rim, omit the celery salt and, optionally, sub-
GRATED HORSERADISH
stitute chile pequín for the black pepper. Pulse 1 small
1 TABLESPOON LEMON JUICE diced tomatillo with 2 tablespoons fresh chilled orange
1 TABLESPOON LIME JUICE juice and 2 tablespoons lime juice in a blender until to-
2 TEASPOONS matillo is completely blended. Strain into a shaker and
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
stir in 6 tablespoons V8, 2 teaspoons Maggi seasoning
2 TEASPOONS HOT SAUCE
sauce or Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons sriracha,
2 OUNCES GIN OR VODKA
and 2 ounces sake. Fill the prepared highball glass with
ICE CUBES
ice, add drink, and garnish with carrot and cucumber
ACCOMPANIMENTS sticks. If desired, serve with a beer chaser.
CELERY STALKS
STUFFED OLIVES
1 PIECE SCALLOP CEVICHE,
SKEWERED
BEER CHASER (OPTIONAL)

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 Iced Coffee
EXCERPTED FROM SUMMER COCKTAILS BY MARIA DEL MAR SACASA

SERVES 1

A hangover’s most distinguishing symptom is thirst. For this, the best antidotes are water,
soda, electrolytes, more water, juice, hair of the dog cocktails—naturally—and, for the caf-
feine lovers, iced coffee. No hot coffee for me during the summer, thank you. Use lots of ice
and, if you like, a splash of booze to help you get on with your day.

Stir together coffee, sugar or syrup, milk, and liquor (if

1 CUP FRESHLY BREWED using) in a tall glass. Add ice and stir to chill. Serve imme-
STRONG COFFEE, COOLED
diately.
BROWN SUGAR OR SIMPLE
SYRUP, TO TASTE
MILK, HALF-AND-HALF, HEAVY
CREAM, OR SWEETENED
CONDENSED MILK, TO TASTE
2 OUNCES BAILEYS OR
KAHLÚA, IF DESIRED
ICE

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 Witchy Workout Moves
ADAPTED FROM BASIC WITCHES
BY JAYA SAXENA AND JESS ZIMMERMAN

Bored of yoga and the treadmill? These witchy calisthenics will add a magical twist to your
daily exercise routine. You’ll feel powerful surging through these moves.

1. STIRRING THE CAULDRON While standing, hold your arms straight out to your sides and
rotate your hands in small circles, first forward and then backward.

2. RAISING THE DEAD Lie on your back with knees bent and use your core muscles to lift your
shoulders off the floor. Keep your feet flat on the ground and your eyes on the ceiling. Repeat.

3. LIGHT AS A FEATHER, STIFF AS A BOARD Lie on your stomach. Keeping your body in a
straight line, support yourself on your hands and toes. Your hands should be directly under your
shoulders.

4. THE BROOMSTICK Stand with feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Bend your knees as
close to 90 degrees as possible, pushing your hands out in front of you and your butt in the
opposite direction. Straighten your legs and repeat.

5. THE FLYING MONKEY Stand with feet 4 to 5 feet apart, and rotate one foot out. Turn your
torso to face that side, and bend the front knee to a 90-degree angle. Don’t let your knee go past
your foot. Repeat on both sides.

6. POSSESSION Lie facedown on the ground, then lift your shoulders, arms, and legs as far as
you can. Lower and repeat.

4 5
3

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 The Power of Journaling
ADAPTED FROM GIRLS RESIST! BY KAELYN RICH

All you need for this exercise is a pen and paper. But be sure to leave your internal filter
behind! When journaling, you should let it all hang out—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Then, leave it on the page and walk away. You’ll feel light as a feather.

Journaling is the process of recording your daily thoughts, feels, doodles, or whatever. It can help
you process and reflect, and it creates a record of your progress over time. If you’re holding on to
a lot of anxiety and bad mood stuff, write it out. Don’t edit yourself. Just note down all the positive
things in your life, however small. Remember that we can hold the good and the bad in our hearts
at the same time. Sometimes we just forget about the good.
Journaling doesn’t have to be a physical diary or even handwritten. It can be typed in a Word doc
or on Tumblr or a blog. It can be text or drawings or poems or collages or anything that helps you
get thoughts out of your head. Here are some ideas to get you started.

GOLD STAR CHECKLIST: You know how little kids get star stickers to track good behavior? Make
a grown-up version. List all the stuff you did in a day, big and small, and do that every day (or every
week). It’ll help you focus on everything you are doing well instead of the things you still need to do.
What did you do today that warrants a gold star?

Did you eat Did you Did you Did you take
breakfast? organize finish your down the
Gold star! a rally? homework? patriarchy?
Gold star! Gold star! Gold star!

PROMPTS: Ask yourself a self-care question CREATE A TRACKER: Make a section in your
and write about it: journal to track how often you accomplish your
self-care goals. You’ll be more likely to hold your-
•  What is my favorite thing about myself?
self accountable if you have to check something
•  What does my ideal world look like off, and this helps keep track of what’s going on
and feel like? with your self-care habits.

•  I am grateful for . . . THANK YOU, ME: Write a thank-you note to

. . . yourself! Thank you for all the things you do
•  My happiest moment this week was . . . for you, every day: for your own safety, health,
•  I was inspired today by . . . well-being, and benefit. Nobody takes care of
you like you do!

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 A Spell to Keep Going
ADAPTED FROM BASIC WITCHES BY JAYA SAXENA AND JESS ZIMMERMAN

When every day feels the same, just getting out of bed and going through your daily rou-
tine—again—can be the hardest thing of all. This spell to keep going will help you find
peace in the moment, even when the future is uncertain.

We all have times when the future seems overwhelmingly

Traditional witches and difficult, meaningless, or fraught with peril. These are times
sorcerers might tell the to call on your coven, to care for yourself and the people
future, or scry, by peering you love. But they’re also times when magic can remind you
into a body of water, a bowl that all is never lost. (Some, maybe! Lots, even! But not all.)
of ink, or—you guessed it—a Even when you can’t choose your future, you can choose
crystal ball, but you can use how you react to it: Dread or anticipation? Galvanization
anything you have on hand. or despair? When fear and anxiety keep you from clearly
seeing what needs to be done and what’s on the horizon,
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: this spell will help you focus.
While standing, stare at your reflection in the reflective sur-
A SMALL, HANDHELD
REFLECTIVE SURFACE, face and let your eyes relax until your vision blurs. Say aloud:
SUCH AS A MIRROR
OR A CELL PHONE
The future is dark
The future holds fright
Show me my solid ground
Show me my light

Continue looking at your reflection and relaxing your eyes, imagining that you are looking at a dense
cloud or fog bank. This is your anxiety and despair, clouding your vision.
Think of one single, simple concrete action you can take to help things go right (or at least less
wrong). It should be simple: instead of “apply for jobs,” think “send one cover letter”; instead of
“pack up the apartment,” think “put my dishes in a box.” Look down, moving your scrying surface
with your gaze so that it stays in front of your eyes. Picture a cairn of rocks jutting up through the fog.
This is your simple concrete action, your solid ground.
Next, think of one thing, however small, that you’re looking forward to. It can be soon or far off,
big or small: a movie with a friend, this Sunday’s crossword puzzle, your afternoon snack. Look up,
moving the scrying surface with your gaze so that it stays in front of your eyes. Picture a star burning
through the fog. This is your light, your reminder that the future holds at least one promise.
Close your eyes and stand for a moment with your feet solidly planted, feeling warmed by the light.
The spell is done, but you can repeat it anytime you feel overwhelmed.

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