Fostering a Discipline of Humanzing Ourselves

My strong is humanizing myself.




In a world that often demands Black women to be strong at all
costs, there is a growing recognition of the need to humanize
ourselves — to acknowledge our vulnerabilities, set
boundaries, and prioritize self-care.


In this episode of Shades of Strong Podcast, hosts Shirley
Hubbard and Natalyn Bradshaw delve into the importance of
fostering a discipline of humanizing ourselves and
dismantling the strong Black woman trope within ourselves.


They use the body scan method to explore how they dehumanize
themselves in various parts of their bodies. They candidly
share personal experiences and delve into the emotional and
mental burdens they carry, discussing how they can reclaim
their humanity and redefine what it means to be strong.


Key Points:



Understanding Dehumanization: Shirley and
Natty use the body scan technique to thoroughly explore how
they unintentionally dehumanize themselves, scanning each
part of their bodies, including the mind, throat, heart,
gut, and spiritual side. They share personal experiences
and reflections on the impact of societal pressures, past
experiences, and internalized beliefs.




Strategies for Humanization: The hosts
explore various strategies and practices for humanizing
themselves, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness
and self-compassion. They discuss the power of mindfulness,
and self-care in combating dehumanizing thoughts and
behaviors.




Impact of Societal Expectations: Shirley
and Natty reflect on the impact of societal expectations
and stereotypes on their self-perception. They discuss how
societal norms can create unrealistic standards of strength
and resilience, leading to feelings of inadequacy and
self-doubt.


The Journey of Reclaiming Humanity:
Throughout the episode, the hosts share their personal
journeys of reclaiming their humanity. They discuss the
challenges and triumphs of this process, offering insights
and advice for listeners on their own journey towards
self-acceptance and empowerment.



Humanizing ourselves is a continual journey involving
embracing imperfections, celebrating strengths, and fostering
community support.


By shedding light on their own struggles with dehumanization,
Shirl and Natty hope to inspire others to embark on their own
journey of reclaiming humanity.



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Shop our Self-care Line in the Etsy
shop where self-care is an art of nurturing the
heart and soul. Our tools—mood trackers, journals,
self-nurturing games, and coloring pages—are crafted to
elevate your inner journey, inviting you to love your inner
self as much as your outer self.


Next Episode
Teaser: Tune in next time for
an insightful conversation on “Breaking Free from the
Ride or Die Mentality,” where we’ll explore how to
navigate toxic patterns and prioritize self-respect in every
area of our lives. 


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