Prioritizing Self-Care: Because We Deserve It

It only feels fitting (or maybe just cliché) that in February, I write about self-care. But let’s be real—this time of year makes it more important than ever. The political landscape is stirring up big emotions, winter is still hanging on (even if the days are finally getting longer!), seasonal depression is in “full bloom,” and a lot of us are feeling antsy for some sunshine and fresh air. Plus, Valentine’s Day tends to shine a spotlight on relationships—those we cherish, those we’ve lost, and those we long for.

But what about the relationship we have with ourselves? Isn’t that the most important one of all?

So, I asked the BNT team, “What do you do for self-care?” Here’s what they had to say—enjoy!

🌿 Deborah loves hiking with her big dog Toby—being out in nature, breathing fresh air, and moving her body. Side note: hiking on muddy, icy trails with a strong pup may not be the best idea… Sounds like she has a few good stories to tell over a meal session or at group! (Ha!)

Deborah is also a huge movie fan, whether solo, with friends, or with her kids. Her favorites? Scary horror flicks (especially the vampire/werewolf kind), goofy comedies, and of course, Disney—because no one does magic quite like Disney.

🧶 Cameron is all about “granny crafting” with a cup of tea, usually with a cooking show playing in the background. (And yes, the blanket-in-progress is now two years old. Was it originally meant for her nephew or her daughter? At this point, who knows?!)

🧩 And Rebecca (That’s me!) You all know by now that I recently picked up piano, but some of my longest-standing self-care go-to’s have been running and puzzling. I love running solo or with friends, but you’ll almost never catch me on a treadmill, and even less likely with music—I’d rather listen to my feet hitting the ground or just focus on my breath.

And puzzling is my year-round happy place. Lately, I’ve been all about puzzles of places I’ve traveled to and, of course, Magic Puzzles (if you don’t know about them, you need to!).

Self-care looks different for everyone, but we all need it. Whether it’s movement, creativity, quiet moments, or an all-day movie binge, what matters is that we make space for it.

So, what does self-care look like for you?