PERSONAL FREEDOM COURSE

Course Overview:
Welcome to "Personal Freedom," a transformative introduction to our 12-week journey designed specifically for Black women transitioning from lifelong tradition. Over these three days, you will explore the foundations of self-love, personal freedom, feminine empowerment, and spiritual exploration. Each day is packed with activities, reflections, and exercises that will help you begin rediscovering your authentic self and embracing a new way of living.

Theme: Honouring Your Past, Setting Intentions for the Future

• Reflection Activity: Take a moment to reflect so far on your journey within your cultural tradition.
  • Prompt: What experiences have shaped you? What beliefs have served you, and which no longer fit? Take your time and consider well.
• Setting Intentions: Begin setting clear intentions for personal growth and freedom.
  • Exercise: Write down three intentions you wish to embody throughout this journey (e.g., "I embrace my sexuality without guilt," or "I honour my desires as valid").
• Journaling: Write a "goodbye letter" to the beliefs and limitations you’re ready to release. How does it feel to let go of these constraints?
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Theme: Examining the Layers of Traditional Conditioning

• Discussion: Ask yourself what has been the impact of religious conditioning on your self-worth and sexuality.
• Activity: Identify internalized beliefs that have shaped your view of yourself and of life.
  • Prompt: Reflect on specific beliefs you’d like to challenge.
• Guided Exercises: Engage in a gentle exercises to begin deconstructing limiting beliefs.  
• Identify a limiting religious belief (e.g., "I must follow strict rules to be accepted by God").
• Ask yourself: Is this true for me? Do I personally believe this, or is it something I have been taught without questioning?
• Replace the limiting belief with a more open one (e.g., "My connection to the divine is based on love, not fear").
• Journaling: Choose one limiting belief from your past and reframe it positively. For example, if the belief is "My desires are sinful," reframe it to "My desires are valid and worthy of exploration." 
•  Meditation  Gently release limiting beliefs.
  Steps:

1. Sit in a comfortable, quiet space, and close your eyes.
2. Focus on your breath, becoming fully present.
3. Allow any limiting religious beliefs to surface naturally (e.g., "I must be perfect to be accepted by the divine").
4. As each belief arises, observe it without judgment. Ask, Is this serving me? Does this align with my truth?
5. With each exhale, imagine gently releasing the belief, allowing space for more loving and expansive spiritual perspectives. 
6. Impact: Meditation helps you witness and release beliefs that no longer serve you, creating a calm and compassionate inner space for new beliefs to grow.

Theme: Cultivating Radical Self-Love

• Workshop: Self-compassion exercises and guided affirmations for embracing your authentic self.
  • Activity: Create a list of affirmations that resonate with your journey (e.g., "I am beautiful and deserving of love").
  • Follow the steps below to address your inner critic with kindness. When you notice your inner critic at work (e.g., “I’m not good enough” or “I always mess things up”), pause and listen to the voice. 
  • Ask yourself: Would I talk to a friend this way? Likely, the answer is no.
  • Now, offer yourself a kind response (e.g., “I’m doing my best, and it’s okay to make mistakes” or “I deserve kindness, not judgment”). Impact: By responding kindly to your inner critic, you begin to rewire your brain to practice self-compassion instead of self-criticism.
• Self-Love Ritual Creation: Design a simple self-love ritual to incorporate into your daily routine.
  • Prompt: Consider acts of kindness you can show yourself, such as a pampering bath, reading your favourite book, or taking a nature walk.  Engaging in a small act of physical self-care can help to reinforce the love you’re showing yourself. 
  • Apply a nourishing lotion or oil to your skin, treating it like a loving gesture to yourself.
  • Massage your hands, feet, or shoulders for a few moments, thanking your body for all it does. As you perform this self-care, think: “I care for my body with love and gratitude.” 
  • This simple act of physical care connects the mind and body, reminding you to cherish both.

Final Reflection Take time to journal your insights and to celebrate your commitment to self-love and personal growth. Reflect on how you can continue this journey moving forward.

Final Thoughts:
Thank you for participating in this introductory course! You’ve taken gentle first steps toward a deeper journey of self-love, personal freedom, and spiritual exploration. We invite you to join the wait list for the full 12-week course, where you will continue to embrace your authentic self and rediscover your power as a Black woman alongside other amazing women just like you.