The Unboxing: A Black Girl's Journey of Mental Health, Faith, and Identity

Nicole E. Williams

Aug 2019 · WestBow Press

About this ebook

Through sharing the journey of her gap year (a year off from school between high school and college) experience in Senegal, Africa, Nicole depicts the value in taking time to go through a process of unboxing which enables us to break free of the invisible chains and limitations we often subconsciously subject ourselves to. “The Unboxing” exposes the subtle but powerful false beliefs that hold many young people captive today. In an age that has more content and published opinions than we could ever read in our lifetime, “The Unboxing” offers a clear, first-hand experience of this journey. As a PK (Pastor’s Kid), Nicole shares her struggles of developing a personal relationship with God. As a young black woman, she shares the journey of breaking free of the societal conditioning that tells her “I am not good enough”. As a teen just trying to figure herself out, she shares the journey of self-awareness that led her to live life boldly and passionately. Whether you grew up in church or have never been exposed to religion, this book will inspire you to look within yourself and come to terms with your own truths-- about yourself, life, and who you want to be. “The Unboxing” is about the journey of self-awareness necessary in order to begin living in our most authentic light. We don’t have to wait until we enter adulthood to begin taking control of our lives.

About the author

Nicole Williams is an undergraduate student at Princeton University who is passionate about empowering young women to live a life of wholeness, confidence, self-love, and self-compassion. From attempting suicide at age 12 and silently suffering from depression for years, today she has become a dynamic speaker and worship leader. Nicole is unashamed of her past experiences, using her life as a testimony to others. In middle school she would cry herself to sleep, begging God to make her skinny and white so that she could be like the popular girls at school. After living in years of insecurity and shame, Nicole finally said “that’s enough”. After graduating high school, Nicole enrolled in a gap year at Princeton. She spent nine months in Dakar, Senegal, reflecting on her life experiences and envisioning the woman she wanted to become. When she returned to the United States, she launched her online ministry, “Unapologetic Nicole”. This ministry encourages and guides young women on their own journeys of self-discovery and faith.