As Black women, we’ve often been conditioned to put the needs of others above our own. Whether it’s in the role of the caretaker, the nurturer, or the “strong Black woman,” we’ve learned to hold it together—even when it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders.
For too long, our wellness and healing have been placed on the back-burner as we’ve navigated the complexities of societal pressures, systemic racism, cultural expectations, and personal sacrifice.
This “12 Weeks of Healing” series is an invitation to change that. Over the next three months, we’ll embark on a journey that focuses on reclaiming your beauty, wellness, and healing. It’s about reconnecting with yourself, prioritizing your needs, and rediscovering what it feels like to truly take care of your mind, body, and spirit—without guilt or shame.
Each week, we’ll address key aspects of wellness and healing that will empower you to step into your full, radiant self. Whether it’s restoring your mental health, nurturing your body, or cultivating emotional strength, we’ll go deep into the challenges Black women face in these areas and how to overcome them.
Our History
Black women are often described as strong, powerful, resilient, and independent. Our role as caretakers is unparalleled. While these qualities are undeniably true, what’s equally true is that we’re rarely given the space to be seen as weak, powerless, dependent, or vulnerable. Our suffering is often carried in silence, largely because of the masks we wear.
We can’t entirely blame others for not noticing. It’s hard to tell when we’re always so well put together. We’ve mastered masking. The only time you might catch us without the mask is during an undercover run to the grocery store.
In those moments, it’s a hat or ponytail, dark shades, and an oversized coat. But most days, you’ll find us with our hair slayed to the Gods, nails meticulously adorned with jewels and accents, and makeup flawlessly done. When it comes to fashion, we set the tone for the world—our ancestral roots expressed in eclectic, bold, edgy, and vibrant ways.
Black women are the queens of masking. We wear so many different masks that we’ve forgotten how we really look underneath. Through makeup, wigs, weaves, how we speak and the art of being dressed to the nines, we’ve created a version of ourselves we want others to see. It’s no wonder the beauty industry makes billions of dollars a year, exploiting the versions of ourselves we sometimes see as imperfect.
But 2025 is going to be different! It’s the year Black women will unapologetically prioritize ourselves. We will put ourselves first without guilt or shame and reclaim the right to live life on our own terms.
It’s all about well-being and balance
“Twelve Weeks of Healing” is all about protecting our mental health, nourishing our bodies, and building emotional resilience. This journey isn’t about just pampering ourselves—it’s about creating space for rest, healing, and growth. It’s about giving ourselves permission to be “self-centered” in the best possible way, so that we can show up as the fullest, most powerful versions of ourselves.
The goal? Long-term happiness, well-being, and balance—where our needs are not just acknowledged, but honored and acted upon. This is our time to step into the fullness of who we are, and to do it without apology.
12 Weeks of Healing: Week One
Black women are on the verge of a breakthrough. We’re reclaiming the power that has always been within us, using it to create grand transformations in how we show up in the world, how we are valued, and in how we dissociate from people, places, and things that no longer reflect our worth. Over the next 12 weeks, we will take this power and channel it into our healing journey.
For Week 1, we’re starting with something simple, yet profound: keeping a diary. Grab a piece of paper and draw a box or rectangle. This container will hold the information we need to begin our healing journey. In that box, identify three (3) people, places, or things that occupy at least 33% of your mental and emotional space or time on a regular basis.
These could be relationships, recurring thoughts, or situations that consume you. For example, you might list your relationship with your father, the stress at your job, and your finances. Feel free to rank them if one takes more precedence in your life than the others.
Building a roadmap
The reason for this exercise is simple: Mental health is built upon the things that consume us. The goal is to get clear about what’s taking up the majority of your mind space and start to understand how those things influence how you feel and the decisions you make.
Throughout this series, we’ll create a roadmap that allows us to see just how much these three things shape our mental and emotional well-being and how, together, we can release their hold.
By the end of the 12 weeks healing journey, you’ll have a better understanding of the core factors that impact your mental health. This clarity is the first step toward healing, and it’s where we begin to take back our power. Let’s get started!
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