What is Self-Love Workbook for Black Women about?
It’s a guided workbook that helps Black women build self-compassion, self-worth, and a sustainable self-love practice. It combines context about Black womanhood with practical exercises you can write through and revisit over time.
Who wrote Self-Love Workbook for Black Women?
Self-Love Workbook for Black Women is written by Rachel Johnson, LMSW, MFT, a licensed mental health practitioner who focuses on accessible healing for the Black community.
What problems does this workbook help with?
It helps you work through negative self-talk, self-doubt, shame, and feeling unworthy. It also supports you in building healthier boundaries, strengthening self-compassion, and feeling more grounded in your identity.
What kind of results can I expect from using this workbook?
You can expect clearer self-understanding and practical tools for responding to triggers, setting boundaries, and making decisions in your best interest. The workbook emphasizes progress over perfection and encourages revisiting exercises as you grow.
Is this book more of a self-help guide or an interactive workbook?
It’s an interactive workbook with prompts, practices, and exercises meant to be written in. Part 1 lays a foundation, and Part 2 focuses on “self-love in practice” through activities.
How is the workbook structured?
It’s divided into two parts: Part I builds context and defines self-love, and Part II provides exercises organized by themes like self-compassion, letting go of self-doubt, fostering self-worth, building community, and committing to self-love.
What are some examples of exercises and practices inside?
It includes activities like a self-love assessment, “unmasking” prompts, mirror work for body appreciation, trigger identification, a self-forgiveness exercise, “facts over fear,” boundary-alignment planning, and a self-care tracker.
Does the workbook address issues that are specific to Black women?
Yes, it directly discusses experiences that can shape self-love for Black women, including microaggressions, colorism and texturism, the “strong Black woman” stereotype, systemic inequality, and intergenerational trauma.
Does this workbook include mental health tools like grounding or coping skills?
Yes, it includes grounding and regulation practices such as deep breathing moments, the butterfly hug, mindfulness check-ins, and frameworks like the “three Fs” (Fears, Feelings, Facts) to help you stay rooted in reality.
Will this workbook help me with boundaries and people-pleasing?
Yes, boundary-setting is a major theme, including how to set boundaries, why “boundary work is healing work,” and how to honor boundaries by aligning your actions with what you want and need.
Does it cover relationships and community support, not just self-esteem?
Yes, it includes a full section on building a community that empowers you, with tools like a circle-of-influence map, relationship needs assessments, and energy-exchange reflections.
Can I use this workbook if I’m dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma?
It can be a supportive starting point or complement to other support systems, and it includes exercises related to triggers, anxiety, and emotional regulation. It also states that a workbook is not a replacement for a qualified medical professional or therapist.
Do I need to read it in order, or can I jump to the sections I need?
You can do either, but the book recommends going front to back the first time and then revisiting specific exercises as needed. It’s designed to meet different parts of your journey at different times.
How much time do I need to use this workbook?
It’s flexible and meant to be done at your pace, with reminders to pause when you feel overwhelmed and to practice patience and grace. Some practices are designed to fit into a few minutes, like mirror affirmations or short breathing exercises.
If I want to stop doubting myself and trust my decisions more, will this help?
Yes, it includes a full section on letting go of self-doubt, including exercises for identifying insecurities, challenging fear-based thinking with facts, and practicing decision-making grounded in your intuition and boundaries.
