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Be Unapologetically You: A Self Love Guide for Women of Color

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This book is about scraping away all the lies and misinformation you have allowed yourself to believe . And when you do that, you find your shiny crown of self-worth and you put it on, bravely, proudly and fiercely. Why? Because self-love has to be fierce. It has to be courageous and it has to be a deliberate act of defiance against anything and everything that makes you think you are unlovable. When you stand up for yourself, you allow others to do the same for themselves. Loving yourself is what you are here to do and it’s your most important work. No one else can do it for you but until you learn to love what and who you are, you cannot share your unique gifts with the world.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2016

1587 people are currently reading
817 people want to read

About the author

Adeline Bird

2 books2 followers

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5 stars
233 (60%)
4 stars
81 (20%)
3 stars
52 (13%)
2 stars
16 (4%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Shadira.
775 reviews15 followers
February 12, 2022
, I could not get through this book. I assumed she'd discuss the trials women of color face, how they affect our self-esteem, and how to overcome them. She starts her book explaning how racial injustice and systemic racism contributed to her low self-esteem. She states, "how can she feel good about herself when her people are being mistreated". That's a fair statement, but it scratches the surface-level and misses a chance to focus on how women of color are being imitated but mistreated and how impacts our self-esteem. She mentions how the media perpetuates white women as the standard, but more women of color are embracing their melanin features. However, in doing so, we run into issues such as colorism, texturism, and featurism, all of which impacts our self-esteem.

This is a very useful book for women of colour looking to reaffirm their worth, and discover new ways to self love. I think the exercises will be extremely helpful to some people, to really ground them in their journey to self love and authenticity.

This did however have a few typos and grammatical errors which at times detracted from the experience of reading through and absorbing the information, or at least it did for me. So if you too, are a little picky, this is something to note.

But overall some interesting insight and tips into the journey towards loving oneself despite outside sources often making us feel inadequate or invisible.
Profile Image for theperksofbeingmarissa ;).
462 reviews8 followers
June 28, 2020
Great Read on Loving yourself as a Black or NB Woman!

I think going through some of these questions in the workbook section really helped me. It was a bit painful to look back and realize my own mistakes with not forgiving. I realized I was hanging onto so much pain that caused so much resentment. I do have an issue with this quote though : Maybe your parents were abusive, your partner cheated on you, your sibling swindled you out of your inheritance, your friend betrayed you, you were treated like dirt because you happened to be black – it’s all relative. That’s not to say the experiences weren’t horrible and indefensible, they were, but they happened. Life isn’t fair and we have to accept that." I feel very uneasy having Black thrown in there as an oh well life isn't fair sort of thkng. I cannot personally forgive those who treat me less thg an because I'm Black. The world shouldn't be this way and we shouldn't accept that either. I hope I'm not reading too much into that quote though.
Profile Image for Layla Crowie.
621 reviews6 followers
August 3, 2020
3.5 stars.

This is a very useful book for women of colour looking to reaffirm their worth, and discover new ways to self love. I think the exercises will be extremely helpful to some people, to really ground them in their journey to self love and authenticity.

This did however have a few typos and grammatical errors which at times detracted from the experience of reading through and absorbing the information, or at least it did for me. So if you too, are a little picky, this is something to note.

But overall some interesting insight and tips into the journey towards loving oneself despite outside sources often making us feel inadequate or invisible.
7 reviews
December 29, 2019
Inspirational

Very inspiring. The book really had me reflecting on my life and changes I want to make to love myself and better me!
Profile Image for Lashelle W.
2 reviews
December 21, 2019
I am worthy

For me, the book was a good read. It is also a book that I will love to read again. At 33 I have never been a reader, for various reasons, but as I get older the more I realize and understand that it is indeed fundamental and utmost refreshing. Being a mom and a women of color, amongst many other hats, self has always been placed on the back burner, so this hits home. Thank you!
1 review
December 1, 2019
One of the best reads

Not your everyday surface self help book. This book encourages you to dig into you history, to take your time and discover who you are. Very well written!
44 reviews
June 3, 2024
This book is a great resource if you are just starting your healing journey, and as a Black woman, we have a heck of a journey before us.

As for me, I had begun my journey a year or so before purchasing this book and found that it was not really doing anything or providing me any additional ways to become a better version of myself. Again, I had already started my journey. Had I bought this before, it would have been a great help for me.

I still have the book and will give it another read sometime down the line and maybe I will be able to gain more out of it than I originally did.
9 reviews
July 8, 2020
This book is amazing!! I’ve always been a fan on self help type books but this one hit different and I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that the author is a black woman just like me. I got it off amazon without looking too much into it and when I saw how it was so short and also interactive I wasn’t sure how much I’d get out of it. Man I was I wrong it’s tabbed up and marked up so much and I know it’s the type of book that will continue to resonate with you in different ways over time. If you are going through a hard time and you just need to recenter with yourself or just want to learn more about what it means to truly love yourself pick this book up you won’t be sorry!!!
3 reviews
July 6, 2020
Nice Read

The book is a nice read that helps you tap into being a more confident you. I think my favorite parts of the book are the workbook sections that come after every few chapters. They have good questions that really help the reader to dig deeper in the chapters that they read, as it applies to helping the reader become unapologetically him/her.


This may seem small to some, but there were a lot of grammatical and punctuation errors that I did not like, and sometimes took away from what was being said.
Profile Image for Shakiya Lyons.
5 reviews
July 19, 2023
I enjoyed the writing prompts in this book. I learned a lot about myself, I even consulted with family members to learn more about myself and what I was like as a child. I got to connect a lot of dots in the process.

I docked a star from my rating because of two things. One, there were quite a few grammatical errors but they weren’t that big of an issue for me, I understood the message. Two, maybe it’s just me but the end of the book felt rushed. There was a two page wrap-up with an affirmation but I feel like there could have been more.
Profile Image for Shamina Boseman.
19 reviews
April 1, 2021
Great Read!

Great book and very self understanding. Truly enjoyed this. Great soul searching read for black woman to acknowledge their own self worth and commitment to themselves. I got a great deal of fulfillment out is this read and the self awareness questions also helped to make this that much more helpful. Please make sure to grab your copy, you will not be disappointed. Hats off to the author.
Profile Image for laytoya stevens.
2 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2020
Just what I needed and more!

I enjoyed the interaction in the book so it's like a mini workbook too. The questions asked are thought provoking and she literally touches on everything. The last two chapters had be in tears. If you are a young lady currently trying to find yourself and your voice you have found the right book.
Profile Image for Brandy Nelson.
71 reviews7 followers
June 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Adeline shared not just the definition of self love, but how to practice it. She defined what normal is and what messages we receive from society, she talks about controlling energy in our life and what type of energy we give and receive. She has great quotes and practical application of self love.
35 reviews
February 15, 2021
Yes ! To self love

This book is great for women ( especially of color ). After reading this I was glad to release some of the burdens I’ve been carrying by simply not forgiving people. I love that this book comes with a workbook to not only give you journal prompts but to also help you reflect on yourself. I would definitely recommend this book.
3 reviews
February 20, 2021
Powerful!!!

I absolutely loved this book! It was full of golden nuggets that will support me as a woman of color as I continue my journey towards loving myself more fully and living more authentically. I couldn’t highlight, bookmark, and screenshot fast enough! I will be revisiting this often. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Stephanye Hernández.
48 reviews
February 22, 2021
I need this book for my soul! ❤❤❤

What a powerful little book. I feel like I am a better person after reading it and I am ready to fully accept my authentic self. I am 28 (soon to be 29) and I am tired of hating on myself. Thanks to this book, I was able to reconnect with myself. A must read for everyone.
2 reviews
January 2, 2022
WOW!

I am currently on my own journey of self love and realized I need help and support. And this book definitely help to validate my desire to climb out of the box of other peoples expectations. Thank you Adeline for your clear,concise writings. I plan to read it again and again .
Profile Image for Khaliyah Monay.
86 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2023
absolutely loved it!!

This book was absolutely amazing! A quick read and guide into loving yourself in all seasons of your life and applying the self work with it. I will be sharing this book with each of my sisters because you’re never too old to learn about loving you and accepting yourself. Powerful read! Absolutely loved it!
Profile Image for Joi.
60 reviews7 followers
March 13, 2020
I try my best not to spend money on books. This one I read for free and then purchased to keep. It is simple information said in a simple way. Every now and then that's all a person needs. The author hit each point well and directly.
1 review
May 31, 2020
Excellent Read!

It really made me connect with myself and changed my way of thinking. I've realized where I was the enemy in a lot of situations in my life, and I've also gained a ton of positive insight from this book.
2 reviews
June 5, 2020
An Absolute Must Read

I absolutely fell in love with this book. There were so many jewels throughout the entire reading. The workbooks were also awesome because it dug into the root of the problem and I learned so much about myself. Will definitely recommend!
2 reviews
June 5, 2020
Self love is important

Great book! Very Authentic! It took me many years to develop this mindset for my self. I am so glad that someone wrote this book for women whom don’t understand the importance of putting themselves first.
43 reviews
July 2, 2020
Solid Guide.

Bird offers a guide to cultivate our ability to love ourselves. She highlights areas in which we struggle and encourages us to explore self love as a powerful tool for our healing.
1 review
July 30, 2020
Think

Adeline Bird opens your eyes to help you see you for who you are and who you suppose to be. She gives you guidance on finding you. As I got toward the end of the book, I thought my sister definitely need to read this book.
Profile Image for Kendra Owens.
10 reviews
August 13, 2020
What I needed!

This book took me a minute to read and take in. I stopped a few times, but when I was ready to truly change, I read it and applied those principles. I have a WHOLE testimony!

1 review
August 15, 2020
Good for Beginners!

I think this book is good for women who have little to no idea about self-love and how to start experiencing it. I also think the affirmations in the book can be a useful tool to create more of a positive outlook on who you are as a person.
3 reviews
September 27, 2020
It all starts from within...

Great read! The perfect book for someone who is truly seeking the power of getting to know oneself on a deeper level. Self love is needed to get you through life's challenges and successes alike
1 review
January 24, 2021
Know your self-worth

I loved this book very uplifting and powerful.
It teaches you how to
love yourself
Be true to yourself
Be courageous and Forgive yourself that was the biggest part for me
Profile Image for Danielle  N Mansogo.
1 review
April 12, 2021
This book is a must read!

Reading this book open and answered a lot of questions I had about why I go through things in life. I love that it had a questionnaire and also helpful hints to practice.
1 review
February 7, 2022
Just what I needed

This book was everything! I thought it was a little slow getting started. It didn’t take long to gain my interest, shortly after that. I’ve never been more awaken.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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