Self-Love Journal by Akili Dada

Own You Self Love Journal

This Journal or any portion of it thereof may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission from the author.

To owning who I am and falling in love with myself.

Dear Dada, Self-love means constantly keeping in touch with yourself and loving all aspects of yourself; accepting your flaws, your weaknesses, the things you don't like and holding high standardsfor your well-being and happiness. Loving yourself allows you to better yourself and channel positive energy around you. We hope that this journal will help you build your self-worth, provide a sense of clarity and bring things into a better perspective for you.

AKILI DADA

“Self-love has very little to do with how you feel about your outer self. It’s about accepting all of yourself.” ~ Tyra Banks.

Boosting your confidence

Setting boundaries

Forgiving yourself Embracing your imperfections

Being proud of yourself Recognizing your worth

Acknowledging your feelings.

Journaling helps control and improve your mood. Journalers are able to prioritize their problems, fears, and concerns. Journaling offers you an opportunity for positive self-talk and helps you identify ways to better yourself.

Make it personal Make time Date your entry Use journaling prompts Be Open and Honest Have FUN!

Growth is a gradual process. Be Patient with Yourself.

I am.......

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My goals are...

To achieve my goals, I will ...

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The thing I love the most about myself is...

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Hello Dada, Love yourself not from outside but from w ithin, that's the best form of love. The scars on your back are a reminder that you are a warrior, strong, capable, brilliant, kind, resourceful, spontaneous, and beautiful. You are a force to reckon w ith. Your star shines bright, and you bring life wherever you go. Always remember to choose yourself, give of yourself and know yourself. Just as bright as your star is, so shall storms and clouds try to dim your light. Be strong, and don't let anything dim your light. You don't need a crowd to cheer you on; picture the stars above and know the best of the best are w ith you all around the universe. Love, Sister Sally Wuodi Gender Officer, Dandelion Africa

The five things I do really well are…

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I release these negative beliefs that I hold about myself...

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Some of the happiest moments of my life was were...

They made me feel...

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Find at least five words that describe you.

T B C O N F I D E N T A R S G D E W F L H V I N T E L L I G E N T

YOU'RE DOING GREAT!

Dear Dada, You are a Princess, slowly flourishing into a Queen. Never settle for anything less than the best, and in the same breath, always put your best foot forward. You never know who you are inspiring. Sometimes you w ill go through trials, rejection, hurt, and even pain. Break down when you have to but remember to w ipe those tears, pick yourself up and try again because, as Queens, giving up is not an option! Remember to feel each of those moments, as this is how you w ill draw strength from w ithin. Most importantly, no one w ill love and care for you more than YOU; therefore, be enough w ithin yourself, and the rest w ill follow. You are loved, you are worthy, you are enough. Johanne Sande Managing Director, Adnest Africa

The things about my life that currently make me happy are…

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Things I like about my appearance are...

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Meet 11-year-old Ellyanne Chlystun-Githae Wanjiku, Africa’s youngest climate change activist. She has made it her life's mission to plant as many trees as possible. She also wants to spread the message about the importance of fighting climate change. At the age of 4, she learnt about Wangari Maathai (a Kenyan environmental activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize), her inspiration. As of 2021, Ellyanne has planted over 1.3 million trees.

Find her on

@ellyannecg

The time I felt most confident and experienced a sense of self-worth was when...

What was going on in my mind was ...

Something I want to do every day to build my confidence is...

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The things that make me feel loved are...

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Colour Me

My biggest weakness is...

I will overcome it by...

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Girls can learn hard things. Girls are allowed to feel their feelings. Girls can run the world! Girls are resilient. Girls are leaders. Girls support girls. Girls can do anything they set their minds to.

I forgive myself for...

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Meet 14-year-old Erica Tandoh, aka DJ Switch. At the age of 10, she received Ghana’s annual DJ award. Erica has founded a non-profit organization, the DJ Switch Foundation, which seeks to change lives through music, the foundation focuses on encouraging quality education, teaching health and well-being, and supporting gender equality globally.She also sings, raps, dances, writes poetry, acts, and does motivational speeches.

Find her on

@djswitchghana, @djswitchfoundation

Identify ten ways you can exercise self-care.

B P V T X

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Dear Sunshine, I want to encourage you as you decide what you want out of this big, beautiful life even when things feel too far or seem impossible, please believe that small steps can and w ill bring you closer. Allow yourself to want new, different, and unique things. Make brave choices to find the nearest place that w ill move you towards the life you want, and step towards it. Don’t learn only for school or anyone you love but remember to learn for yourself. Teach yourself how to trust in your magical abilities, always. You’re a teenage girl at a great time in human history. Many people have and continue to work so hard to show us that everyone deserves to live full and happy lives w ithout being limited, especially women. This means you have to build a community w ith your fellow dadas to keep supporting each other w ithout any limits. Create friendships rooted in kindness, empathy, and support. Treat each other w ith patience and work towards w inning together because you’re all you’ve got. And when it’s hard, take a break. Do not be ashamed of not know ing or of failing, ask questions often, and never stop. Finally, the most important thing is for you to enjoy yourself, be happy, laugh loudly and live boldly. I’m so excited for you and all the fantastical things you w ill do. Your future is calling. W ith love always and in all ways, Scheaffer Okore, Director of Policy & Advocacy, W omen Political Leaders (WPL)

I will affirm these 5 positive things about myself…

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Meet Abigail Chamungwana, also known as Abby Chams. She is an award-winning 18-year-old Singer/Songwriter and Instrumentalist from Tanzania. Abby began singing at the age of five. In 2019, Abby founded a youth program called “Teen Talks With Abby Chams,” a safe space for young people to talk about the challenges they are facing and discuss solutions, normalize mental health issues and eliminate the shame and stigma around it. Find her on

@abby_chams,

@teentalkswithabbychams

Give Yourself a Break Giving yourself a break and doing something nice for yourself or getting more organized.

Affirm Yourself

Saying nice things to yourself like, “I’m proud of myself.” “I’m doing my best.” “I am so beautiful!”

Loving Your Body Loving my body and taking my time to moisturize my skin every morning

Quality Time Pulling out a journal and writing a letter to your younger or future self. Meditate or do yoga.

Gifting Yourself Buying yourself fresh flowers every week or buying yourself something you have always wanted.

I feel.... I wish.... I think.... I need.... I hope.... I want....

If you’re searching for that one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror.

The 5 things make me feel alive are...

I can be more loving to myself by...

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Happiness is an inside job, found within

Smiles are contagious

Time is the essence of healing Positive thoughts, create positive actions Everyone’s journey is different

Hello Dada, Life often throws different challenges at us, but we are strong and courageous beyond our perception. Make a consistent decision to be true to yourself. Learn a skill and pursue it relentlessly. Don't forget to work hard in school and get good grades because you can. Be comfortable in your skin and guard your heart. Don't let people discourage you. If you believe in yourself, others w ill too. Be the light, not only for yourself but also for others. Lastly, allow me to remind you that you can do anything you put your mind to. If your mind can perceive it, then you can achieve it. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, but how many times you rise up. You are a Queen! Keep your crown up. Yours truly, Kidaka Dorcas Lungashi, Spoken W ord Artist

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13 things that make me smile are...

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Meet Vanessa Nakate, a climate activist from Uganda. Vanessa is the founder of Rise up Climate Movement, which aims to amplify the voices of activists from Africa. She started her activism in 2018, at the age of 21. Vanessa received the Haub law environmental 2021 Award in recognition of her citizen diplomacy in bringing the voice of her generation to global environmental campaigns and for her inspiring climate activism in Uganda and beyond. Her work includes raising awareness to the danger of climate change, the causes, and the impacts. Find her on

@vanessanakate1

My 10 favourite affirmations are...

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Colour Me

Dada, You have what it takes to live the dream inside of you. When unsure of the path to take towards your goals, look confidently into the mirror and remind yourself that you are the one holding the steering wheel of your life. Never doubt yourself! Doubt is a killer of dreams. W ork hard and make it happen! Never listen to those who disgrace your worth. Don't hold back or suppress your potential! You exist, and therefore you matter. You do not need to know all the answers. You only need to be courageous enough to take the first step and trust where it leads. Never give up on your dreams! Have the w illpower to overcome the obstacles that you face in pursuit of success. Overcoming barriers is a sure path towards realizing your full potential and the strength inside of you! To w in in life, show up each day w ith strong values: Authenticity, Integrity, Resilience, and Excellence! W infred Mutinda, HSC Akili Dada Mentor

Today I am celebrating myself for...

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Great things never come from staying in your comfort zone.Take a chance and do the things that scare you.

The last time I stepped out of my comfort zone was when...

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Meet Malala Yousafzai, a human rights activist. She was announced the most famous teenager in 2019 by the United Nations. On October 9, 2012, At the age of 15, Malala boarded a bus to advocate for Pakistani girls' education when the Taliban shot her head and neck. She survived the injuries. When Malala turned 18, she opened an all-girls school for Syrian refugees, calling on leaders from around the world to provide "books, not bullets." Find her on

@malala

My Dreams are...

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Dear...

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A letter to Myself

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THE GLOBAL

#GirlsBillofRights written by girls, for girls

All Girls Have The Right To... 1. Free, quality education 2. Equality; Free from discrimination and stereotypes 3. Involvement in decision-making & access to leadership positions 4. Right to legal documentation 5. Comprehensive sexual education & access to free, quality reproductive healthcare 6. Protection from harmful traditions & enjoyment of positive culural practices 7. Safety from all forms of violence 8. Decision-making about their body & sexuality 9. Legal protection without fear or unequal treatment 10. Freedom from exploitation Are YOU ready to stand up for the rights of girls’ everywhere? V isit www.girlsbillofrights.org/ratify to sign and stand w ith girls. Akili Dada, in partnership with She's The First and MAIA, organized a consortium of girls' organizations bringing together 1,000+ girls from 34 countries across the globe to develop the Global Girl Bill of Rights.

Acknowledgments Thank you to the Akili Dada sisters who contributed to the review of this journal and to those whose leadership has been instrumental through this project.

Layout and Design - Jane Kamau and Lynn Atieno Editors - Peggy Nyahera and Vivian Kwame Reviewers - Nina Wamboi and Kakuve Publisher: Akili Dada Nairobi, Kenya.

This Journal or any portion of it thereof may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission from the author.