A practical guide to self-care and community care, written for helpers—the caregivers, activists, community leaders, mental health and medical professionals who are the first to help others, but the last to seek help themselves.

As an activist, community organizer and social worker, Farzana Doctor has preached self-care to hundreds of people struggling with burnout and exhaustion. But for years she couldn’t manage to take her own advice.

Many other helpers she knew were the same: they knew the signs of burnout, and they understood the science of self-care. Maybe they’d taken workshops on vicarious trauma; maybe they’d even taught them. But still they struggled to escape the cycle of overwork, overwhelm and recovery. 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life is a workbook that speaks directly to these people—and anyone who struggles to pause, set boundaries and centre their own needs.

The workbook contains fifty-two lessons, one for each week of the year. Each week, readers will find a simple new idea and an experiment for trying it out, with deeper dives into the material provided, but every level of participation celebrated. Throughout, Doctor embraces both community care and self-care at the same time, showing readers the overlap between the two.

Beautifully written, direct and insightful, this workbook is a gentle and practical guide to a more balanced life, written for those who need it most.

Farzana Doctor is a Toronto-based Registered Social Worker who has been working with individuals and couples since 1993. As an activist, educator and writer, she has taught clinicians, co-written manuals for mental health providers and contributed chapters and articles about 2SLGBTQ+ issues, anti-oppression, self-care and female genital mutilation/cutting. She is the co-founder of WeSpeakOut and the End FGM Canada Network. She has written four critically acclaimed novels and a poetry collection.

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“In a world that often disempowers us, 52 Weeks offers a spirited and seamless approach to both self-care and community care which is both refreshing and radical. Step by step Farzana shows us how to reclaim care and our power.”

Cathy Crowe, long-time street nurse and social justice/housing advocate

“52 Weeks is possibly the most important book I’ve ever read! It is a wake-up call, and I feel completely awakened.”

Bif Naked

“Farzana Doctor has given us permission to care for ourselves. 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life asks us as service providers to take a leap of faith, invest in our well-being without guilt, and commit to self-care. This is the best resource for service providers that I have seen in a long time. Thank you, Farzana. Your generous gift is greatly appreciated and has come at just the right time.”

Notisha Massaquoi, University of Toronto

“A practical guide to safeguarding the precious resource that is you. Essential reading for caregivers, activists and other caring humans.”

Ann Douglas, author of <i>Navigating the Messy Middle: A Fiercely Honest and Wildly Encouraging Guide for Midlife Women</i>

“At long last, here is the guide to self-care and self-healing that healers, activists, and social changemakers have been waiting for. Unpretentious, insightful, and deeply aware of the systemic conditions that influence well-being, psychotherapist and author Farzana Doctor offers down-to-earth advice about personal growth, burnout recovery, and relationship health alongside highly relatable anecdotes from her personal experience. Self-help skeptics and wellness aficionados alike will find grounded, practical wisdom in this succinct, yet powerful workbook divided into a series of profoundly helpful themes and exercises. 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life for Caregivers, Activists and Helping Professionals should be required reading for anyone who wants to change the world - because as the author reminds us, changing the world requires practicing care for ourselves.”

Kai Cheng Thom, MSW, MSc, Certified Professional Life Coach and author of <i>Falling Back in Love With Being Human</i>