Welcome to The Roundup - a monthly overview (and recap) of all the articles + content we’ve shared this month, plus reminders, updates + curated resources for you to save, download or pass along to someone who needs it!

As therapists we get lots of data that help us see what folks in our direct community are experiencing, how people are interacting with each other (on a micro and macro level), and the topics and issues on the top of people’s minds as they move through the world.

The major themes for this month (across the board) were:

Why we can’t look away from reality TV: If you’re on social media you’ve probably been seeing the buzz around the current season of Love Island USA. We are equally obsessed and can’t help but notice the hook that reality TV has on all of us, and the interpersonal themes that we see in our real lives playing out on the screen.

Summer blues: If you’ve been noticing changes to your mood or energy levels this month, know that the summer blues are a real thing and you don’t have to be super energetic or happy all the time this summer. Instead, meet yourself where you’re at and tune into your needs - big and small.

Embracing the in-between: This time of year is full of changes - graduations, moves, new jobs, relationships ending and beginning, and so much more. Transition periods like these can be overwhelming and difficult, but also a pathway for a beautiful life ahead. Instead of needing to be at your next destination right away, try to embrace the beauty of the in-between and see how you feel.

Boundaries: With the commitments and busy-ness of the summer in full swing by now, this is a great time to check in on your boundaries - personal, professional, financial, etc. If things aren’t feeling good, consider communicating your limits to yourself and others, kindly but firmly.

Any of the above resonate? Drop your comments, questions and reflections below and tell us what’s on your mind. We gotchu.

👀 ICYMI: What we wrote about this month

Save & share, or bookmark for a rainy day read ☔️

• ⚠️ Living Life on Autopilot: Understanding Functional Freeze — Getting our nervous systems back on track ⚡️ → Read more here

• 🌈 In Conversation: On Pride, Identity, and Holding Space. — An honest interview with fellow Bloom Therapist William Koné 🤎 → Read more here

• Finding the way back to feeling worthy — A gentle roadmap to the truth that you have always been enough. → Read more here

• The Problem Isn’t You — It’s the Therapy You Were Given — You didn’t fail at therapy. You may have just outgrown the model you were given. → Read more here

🌳 Bloom in The Media

When we’re not writing here, find us sharing our thoughts across social media and publications across the web 👩🏾‍💻

🧠 Wondermind | 7 Tips for Anyone Who Feels Like a Failure  — If things are especially bad right now, this can help. Written by Anna Borges. → Read online

💜 Essence | 6 Reasons Why You Need More Friends According To A Therapist — Although making new friends as an adult might be difficult, it’s excellent for your mental health in the long run. Written by Dominique Fluker. → Read online

💍 Brides | 19 Pieces of Marriage Advice for Newlyweds, According to Relationship Experts  — Here's how to ensure your partnership starts—and stays—on the right course. Written by Gabriella Rello Duffy. → Read online

📖 Books we love & recommend 🤓

If you’ve ever wondered what your therapist is reading, or what books they really recommend, check out the latest in our series What’s On Your Therapist’s Bookshelf? Growing Pains readers get the full list we don’t share on IG, so tap in below and add a few to your TBR list (or bookmark this post for later!)

(Notion Link) ☞ Bloom Book Recommendations 🌷📚 (edits ongoing!)

📅 Where to find us: upcoming events

This summer we’re practicing what we preach, and taking some time to rest up from the constant wheel of events. As a team we’re focusing this season on both supporting the community and connecting to each other — stay tuned for more events to come soon and in the meantime watch this space 👀

💻 Digital reads & downloads: resources curated just for you

• [Digital Download] Bloom Grounding Toolkit

• [Digital Download] Indicators of Dysregulation vs Defensive Responses (somatic resource) - via The Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute

• [Article] How to Overcome the Freeze Response - National Institute for The Clinical Application of Behavioural Medicine (NICABM)

Catch you next month.

With love,

The Bloom team 🤎

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