Marketing Team, Author at GirlTREK

In the spirit of self-care, we did not send a Self-Care for Freedom Fighters email yesterday because Monday was a holiday and our team was resting. We hope everyone was resting as well. Now, here is our assignment for Week Eight. We are nearing the culmination of our journey, and this week we will focus on deep introspection and preparation for our final push.

Self-Care Mission

This week, your mission is to “Reflect and Recognize.” Use this time to deeply reflect on your journey and recognize the growth, strength, and resilience you’ve cultivated.

Over the past eight weeks, we have embarked on a powerful journey of self-care, preparing ourselves to lead our friends and families. Black women often go without stopping to reflect on their own power and accomplishments. This week, it’s crucial to recognize the strength and resilience we’ve cultivated and understand how far we’ve come. This reflection reinforces our commitment to self-care and prepares us for the final stretch of this challenge.

Every day this week, follow this strategy to ensure your reflections are purposeful and enriching:

Self-Care Soundtrack Walks: Listen to this specially curated Self-Care Soundtrack during your daily walks. This soundtrack is designed to inspire deep thought and tranquility, setting the perfect mood for reflection. While listening to the soundtrack, focus on these prompts to guide your introspection:
- Tuesday: Reflect on the physical changes and improvements you’ve experienced.
- Wednesday: Contemplate the emotional growth and resilience you’ve developed.
- Thursday: Consider the mental clarity and insights you’ve gained.
- Friday: Ponder the spiritual connections and peace you’ve cultivated.
- Saturday: Reflect on how these changes have influenced your overall sense of self and purpose, and prepare to share your insights with your crew.
Reflective Voice Notes: Instead of journaling, use your phone to record daily voice notes about your reflections. Speak from the heart about your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual journey. At the end of the week, listen to your recordings to hear your growth and insights.
Saturday Sharing: Join the Sisterhood Saturday call at 10AM ET/7AM PT to share your reflections with the community. Discuss your insights and listen to the experiences of fellow freedom fighters, drawing inspiration and strength from each other. Join us live (646) 876-9923 (Code 734464325#).

For your stretch goal this week, create an “Inner Vision Map.” This is similar to a vision board but more focused on reflecting your journey and insights. Use images, quotes, symbols, and any materials that resonate with your reflections and aspirations. Arrange them in a way that represents your journey and your vision for the future. Display this map in a place where you can see it daily, serving as a powerful reminder of your inner strength and goals.

With love,

Vanessa & Morgan

Questions about GirlTREK? Check out our FAQ.

GirlTREK
1800 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States

If you arrived here at this moment to receive this message, it is not by accident.

Welcome.

As we cross the halfway point of our Self-Care for Freedom Fighters weekly walking series, this week’s focus is pivotal. We’re transitioning from setting intentions and nurturing our communal roots to taking decisive, individual action toward our health and longevity.

Why This Week Matters

Too often, we as Black women carry the weight of our communities, our families, and our workplaces, diligently organizing and advocating for everyone but ourselves. Our Outlook calendars are meticulously managed for every responsibility—except for the ones that involve our health check-ups and wellness. Late diagnoses and deferred preventative care are leading causes of premature death among Black women. It’s a stark and unacceptable reality that while we are experts in caring for others, we too frequently neglect to afford ourselves the same level of care. This week, we confront this disparity head on. We prioritize our health appointments not as optional, but as essential. Our lives literally depend on it.

Self-Care Mission: Schedule Your Appointments

This week, we turn our attention to proactive health advocacy. It’s time to ensure that our health appointments are as non-negotiable and sacred as any other commitment in our lives.

Daily Focus and Actions

Each day, after your 30-minute walk, dedicate time to making your health a priority:

Monday: Reflect and Recognize—Reflect on your personal health needs. What essential health checks have you been delaying?
Tuesday: Physical Health Priorities—Schedule necessary health screenings like mammograms, dental checkups, or routine physicals.
Wednesday: Mental Health Matters—Prioritize your mental well-being by setting up therapy sessions, psychiatric evaluations, or counseling appointments.
Thursday: Holistic Health Harmony—Book appointments for holistic practices such as acupuncture, nutrition counseling, or yoga to nourish your overall well-being.
Friday: Family Health History—Investigate your family health history, understanding it can provide crucial insights into your own health needs and prevention strategies.

Commit to Yourself

This week, place your health first. Schedule each appointment as though it were the most important meeting of your life—because it is. Your health is your wealth, your freedom, and your future.

Encourage Another Sister

Reach out to a sister who might be struggling to prioritize her health. Offer to help her schedule her appointments or propose that you attend screenings together. Sometimes, a little support goes a long way in helping us take these vital steps.

This week we give you a glimpse into what you have been missing if you haven’t walked with us on Saturdays. Please listen to this weekend’s Sisterhood Saturday call. It was a special Mother’s Day edition that truly moved women deeply.

With love,

Vanessa & Morgan

Questions about GirlTREK? Check out our FAQ.

GirlTREK
1800 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States

“There’s the calling to midwifery. It’s been my entire life, because you cannot stand by and tolerate injustice. Not when you’ve found ways that do actually make a difference.” – Jenny Joseph

Thank God for Black women.

Thank God for Jenny Joseph.

In 2020, she became the first Black person in the U.S. to privately own a nationally accredited midwifery school, where she is increasing the ranks of Black midwives, training other health workers around the country in midwifery principles, and developing a national network of like-minded providers.

In 2022 she was one of 12 women named to the Time Magazine Woman of the Year list.

She is the Founder of Commonsense Childbirth and she and her community are rallying with GirlTREK this weekend as we honor Black mothers and Black motherhood by taking walks dedicated to the women whose footsteps we follow in.

Tomorrow, Chelsea Johnson, the CEO of Commonsense Childbirth, will be walking and talking with Morgan and Vanessa and women from around the world at 10AM ET/7AM PT on a special Mother’s Day edition of Sisterhood Saturday.

If you have not joined a Saturday walk, which you can do from wherever you are, just know this. The conversations and healing taking place each week have been spiritual and powerful. Don’t stay stuck where you are. Move with us and see what 30 minutes of radical self-care can do for your life.

We are grateful that Chelsea will be walking with us tomorrow, because Black mothers are dying in childbirth on our watch and we cannot sit back and let that happen.

Not when we have birthed this nation and nursed humanity from our bosom. Not when we have labored in fields and in C-suites and Ivory Towers building this country’s economy. Not when we have been the progenitors of culture, creating the trends that the rest of the world follows.

Our brilliance has given rise to inventions that have changed the way we live. Every day we mother children who did not come from our womb.

This Mother’s Day we celebrate Black motherhood in all of its forms.

Are you with us? Do you understand the assignment?

Who will you walk for this weekend?

Someone who held you down, and held you up. Someone who modeled what it means to walk by faith, not by sight. Someone who showed you how to be equal parts soft and strong. Someone who has been a waymaker, a healer, a teacher to you. Someone who has been the embodiment of God’s love for you.

mother /ˈməT͟Hər/

verb: a: to give rise to, produce b: to care for or protect like a mother

Ask every Black woman you know to take a walk this weekend in honor of a woman whose footsteps she walks in. Forward this email and let the love of our mothers go viral.

The GirlTREK Team

Questions about GirlTREK? Check out our FAQ.

GirlTREK
1800 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States

Dear GirlTrek Family,

Every single day we get real-time notes from the Field proclaiming how this work is saving lives.

This week the testimony comes from a Black woman working on the front lines in one of the most powerful social justice organizations in the country.

“I am just getting over a cold but I LOVE the Self-Care for Freedom Fighters Walking Challenge. The weekly prompts are a great way to check in with yourself, start the week and I find it very engaging. To be transparent, I did not initiate a digital detox, but I have used the 5 questions from Week 0 as journal prompts to dive deep, and I actually used #5 (What does self-care look like in action…) as the check in question for our Team Huddle last week and the feedback and connectivity was amazing!

I also appreciate that the assignments build from week to week. I totally forgot about dedicating my walk – OMG so powerful, it made me so emotional to be reminded and to recommit connecting the physical and spiritual. I don’t know how or why I fell out of the practice after learning it from GirlTREK during the pandemic, but I absolutely thank you for the reminder. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this coming Monday!

Also, I have been out walking everyday, even with a cold, but what’s better is that my Mom (in Albany, GA) is hooked. Her mood has lifted, and it is amazing to see her putting herself and her health first. She is also increasing her time as she builds strength and stamina, and she is considering allowing my dad to join her on at least one of her walks during the week, but she really has begun to value the walking time, which she reserves as her alone time. I’m so proud of her. I hope to connect this Saturday, now that my cold is on its way out, with the group at Victory Park in Pasadena. I will let you know how it goes!”

You too can have a testimony like this.

Welcome to Week Five of Self-Care for Freedom Fighters. We’re now at the halfway point of this challenge, and it is our mission in this week’s assignment to show up for the young girls in our lives because somebody showed up for us.

We are the #daughtersof women who mothered whole communities. Women who nurtured and protected every child that crossed her path no matter who birthed them. Women who showed us that ‘mother’ is a verb.

As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, we are honoring all the ways Black motherhood shows up in our community this week with our self-care mission to raise up the next generation of freedom fighters and pour into five girls in your life.

Your Self-Care Mission:

This week, nurture your relationships with the young girls in your life with intentional acts of love and mindfulness. Your mission is to pour into them as you pour into yourself with daily self-care walks.

Walk and Reflect: Each day, dedicate your walk to a girl in your life that you care about. That’s five girls, five walks. As you walk, think about the women who’ve shown up for you and how that love and guidance has shaped you. Then think about each of these girls and how you can show up for them.

Intentional Acts of Love: Before the end of each day, call the girl you dedicated your walk to and share words of encouragement with her. Tell her, “You are your best thing.” Then tell her what you love about her. Tell her how proud you are of the young woman she is becoming. Share some of your self-care secrets and some of the self-care practices you’ve learned on this journey with us. Ask her what she needs to feel safe and loved.

This Mother’s Day weekend, we are activating the 1M+ women of this movement for a mass demonstration. We’re asking every woman to dedicate her walk on Saturday to a woman whose footsteps she walks in. Spread the word. Forward this email, or screenshot it and text it to your crew. Let’s go hard for our mamas because they go hard for us.

Questions about GirlTREK? Check out our FAQ.

GirlTREK
1800 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States

Dear GirlTREK Family,

How was your weekend? Did you join us on the line for Sisterhood Saturday? Our Self-Care Sermon for this week comes directly from the call. If you missed it, you missed a manifestation mile, a 30-minute miracle, women walking and talking from around the world, leaning on each other and learning self-care secrets for our survival. We don’t record it because it’s a promise not a performance, so make sure you mark your calendar for next Saturday at 10 AM ET. Save the number (646) 876 9923,,734464325#, set a reminder—do whatever you need to ensure you’re there.

If you didn’t join, no worries—this email is your gateway to a week filled with possibility. Whether you’ve been with us each week or this is your first, remember, you can start right here, right now and so can anyone you love so forward this message if it moves you.

This week for Self-Care for Freedom Fighters, we’re diving deep into Mindfulness Mastery.

After the past weeks of laying foundational self-care practices, from digital detoxes to building our crews and setting affirmations, we now stand ready to unlock a deeper layer of freedom—the kind that can only be found within the mind. This week is about more than just peace; it’s about power. The power to free ourselves from the confines that society, circumstances, or history have placed around us.

Many of us feel trapped at times, constrained by the very bodies we inhabit or by the spaces we move through. Some of our sisters are physically incarcerated, and our ancestors certainly knew the harsh reality of bondage all too well. Yet, throughout history, Black, Brown, and marginalized communities have cultivated powerful mindfulness practices as a means to survive and resist. These practices, often co-opted by capitalist and Western forces, are rooted in rich traditions that we aim to reclaim and honor.

This week, we return to these roots, immersing ourselves in the ancient wisdom that has helped countless before us navigate and counteract their struggles. Our mission is not only to learn these practices but to commune with them, to connect deeply and use them to connect more deeply with our true selves.

This Week’s Mission

Integrate mindfulness practices from around the globe into your daily walks.

Immerse yourself in mindfulness with these culturally rich practices:

Monday – African Drum Meditation: Drums hold a sacred spot in African cultures, traditionally used to communicate, celebrate, and heal within communities. Embrace this powerful connection to the Earth and our ancestors through the rhythm of the drum.
Practice: Start your walk with the vibrant and healing rhythms of African drums. Feel each beat as it echoes through your body, aligning your steps with the heartbeat of resilience and unity.

Listen to African Drum Meditation.
Tuesday – Urban Green Bathing: Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing,” this adaptation brings the essence of nature’s healing into urban green spaces. It’s about immersing oneself in the surroundings to absorb the benefits of nature fully.
Practice: Even if a forest isn’t accessible, any green space can serve as your sanctuary. As you walk, let the greenery around you refresh your spirit and invigorate your soul.

Listen to Nature Sounds for Green Bathing.
Wednesday – Mindful Silence: Rooted in Native American traditions of deep earth connection and listening, this practice emphasizes the importance of silence in understanding the world around us. It teaches us to listen deeply to nature’s subtle sounds and to our inner selves.
Practice: Dedicate your walk today to silence. Absorb the sounds of your environment, letting them guide your reflection and renewal.

Experience Mindful Silence.
Thursday – Indian Pranayama: Pranayama is an ancient Indian practice involving the regulation of breath through specific techniques. It is used to harmonize the body and mind, enhancing vitality and mental clarity.
Practice: Incorporate Pranayama techniques into your walk to control your breathing. This practice will clear your mind and invigorate your spirit, connecting you deeply to your core.

Guided Pranayama Breathing.
Friday – Tai Chi Movements: Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art known for its slow, flowing movements that emphasize balance, flexibility, and calmness.
Practice: Integrate gentle Tai Chi movements into your walk to find balance and peace. Use these movements to guide your energy flow throughout the body.

Watch Tai Chi Basics Video.

These practices, drawn from the deep wells of cultural wisdom around the globe, are more than just exercises; they are gateways to understanding, healing, and ultimately, freedom.

Research shows that mindfulness significantly reduces stress and improves emotional health. Each practice you engage in this week has been proven to enhance not just mental clarity but also overall well-being. Read more here.

This week, pair your walking practice with a daily journaling activity. After each walk, jot down your thoughts, feelings, and any insights you gained during your meditation. This reflection will deepen your mindfulness practice and help cement the benefits.

Questions about GirlTREK? Check out our FAQ.

GirlTREK
1800 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States

Dear Freedom Fighter,

Welcome to Week Three of our journey! We ignited this movement with a Digital Detox in Week Zero, clearing the way for new thoughts and energies. In Week One, we built our Crew, forging alliances that stand firm in solidarity. Week Two saw us assembling our Legacy Leagues, drawing power and wisdom from the giants upon whose shoulders we stand. Each phase has been a step towards greater consciousness and collective strength.

This week, we dive deep into the core of our being with “Speak It Into Existence: Five Days, Five Affirmations.”

It’s time to articulate your personal commandments. The Five Affirmations—your personal commitments that define the standards by which you live. These are not just affirmations; they are the pillars that will uphold your life’s structure, built from your deepest beliefs and aspirations.

Self-Care Mission:

Speak it into existence! Your task for Week Three is to create five powerful affirmations that embody the pillars of your life. These affirmations are your own crafted agreements that guide how you navigate both challenges and opportunities.

Self-Care Why:

Affirmations are powerful tools for maintaining focus and aligning your daily actions with your broader life goals. They reinforce your values and help manifest the life you envision for yourself, serving as constant reminders of who you are and who you aspire to be.

Each day on your walk, dedicate time to craft one affirmation. Start each affirmation with a prompt provided and fill in the rest with your personal commitment. Repeat the affirmation at the end of your walk as a closing personal victory celebration for yourself.

Day One: Self-Worth and Identity

“I am deserving of…”

Day Two: Boundaries and Peace

“I give myself permission to…”

Day Three: Growth and Aspirations

“I am committed to…”

Day Four: Resilience and Strength

“I overcome…”

Day Five: Community and Support

“I strengthen my community by…”

Share your daily affirmations with your crew. Discussing them openly will reinforce your commitments and encourage collective support and accountability.

The practice of speaking things into existence is a profound fusion of modern science and ancient wisdom. Scientifically, when we articulate our dreams and ambitions, it stimulates brain regions linked with self-perception and emotional regulation, strengthening our self-identity and bolstering our belief in our ability to achieve our goals. This act of verbal affirmation aligns closely with the longstanding practices passed down by generations of Black women, who have long known the power of speaking life into existence—just as our grandmothers taught us in church.

Learn more here.

Let the words and lyrics of this week’s soundtrack keep you in a high place as you walk towards your destiny.

Love,

The GirlTREK Crew

P.S. For the next 10 weeks, we’re stepping away from social media and into the streets of our neighborhoods. Sign up for SMS text messages so you can get exclusive updates from the movement that won’t be posted on the gram.

Questions about GirlTREK? Check out our FAQ.

GirlTREK
1800 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States