Summer Hygge

 When most of us think of hygge, we imagine flickering candles, blankets, and mugs of cocoa or tea by a fire. But this Danish concept of everyday coziness and contentment isn’t just for winter. Summer hygge is all about slowing down, savoring the season, and finding joy in the simple, sun-soaked moments that make life beautiful.

1. Outdoor Living: Bring Hygge Outside Summer is the perfect time to extend your cozy space into the outdoors. Whether it’s a small balcony, a backyard garden, or a nearby park, create a nook for yourself. Add string lights, a soft blanket for cool evenings, and a basket with your favorite book, journal, or knitting project.

2. Savor the Seasonal Foods Nothing says summer hygge like a meal made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Think berries picked at a local farm, grilled veggies, and lemonade with herbs from your own windowsill garden. 

3. Mindful Mornings and Golden Evenings Wake up early to watch the sunrise or take a quiet walk before the world gets busy. In the evenings, light a citronella candle and take in the warm nights under the moon and stars. Summer hygge means making time for these slow, intentional moments that connect you to the rhythms of nature.

4. Celebrate Simplicity Forget the packed vacation itinerary. Summer hygge is about being, not doing. Enjoy a spontaneous picnic, take a barefoot walk through the grass, or have an impromptu sunset gathering with friends.

5. Unplug and Reconnect Hygge is about presence. Try a “digital sunset” each evening—put away the screens an hour before bed and enjoy analog activities like reading, sketching, or stargazing. These small rituals create space for peace and reconnection. They can slow down the mind, and help with sleep.

 Summer hygge invites us to be fully present in this golden season—to feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, to hear laughter carried on the wind, and to find contentment in life’s simplest pleasures.

---Cara

Graduation is more than just a celebration—it’s a major life transition.

Graduation season is often framed in celebration—caps flying, proud smiles, and hopeful speeches. But beneath the surface,  this milestone can stir up deep emotional waves for both children and parents. It’s a time of transition, and like any big change, it can bring mental health challenges alongside the joy.

Whether your child is leaving kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college, this moment marks a shift. And for many kids—and their families—that shift can be overwhelming.

1. The Emotional Weight of Change Graduation means saying goodbye to familiar routines, classmates, and teachers. Even when it's a step toward something exciting, kids may feel a mix of anxiety, sadness, and pressure. For some, it stirs fears of the unknown or worries about performance, especially if they're expected to “have it all figured out.”

What you can do:

• Normalize mixed emotions. Let them know it's okay to feel excited and scared at the same time.

• Offer a listening ear—without judgment or “fixing.”

• Share stories of your own transitions to remind them they’re not alone.

2. The Mental Health Check-In As kids move on to the next stage, mental health needs can shift. The pressure of college decisions, job searching, or simply “what’s next?” can increase anxiety or depression—sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately visible.

Watch for:

• Sudden changes in mood or energy

• Withdrawing from friends or usual activities

• Difficulty sleeping or eating

• Excessive worry or perfectionism

What you can do:

• Check in regularly, not just about achievements, but about how they feel.

• Encourage healthy habits—routine, sleep, movement, and connection.

• Be open to seeking professional help if needed. Therapy isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a tool for resilience.

3. Parents: Your Emotions Matter Too Parents often feel the bittersweet tug of pride and grief. Watching your child grow up is beautiful—but it can also feel like a loss. There’s the practical shift in your role, but also the emotional reality of letting go.

What you can do:

• Acknowledge your own feelings. Give yourself space to reflect and grieve this ending.

• Talk to other parents or a therapist. You’re not alone in feeling unsure or emotional.

• Find new ways to connect with your child as they step into their independence.

 Graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It’s filled with possibility—but also vulnerability. By making space for honest conversations, emotional check-ins, and mental health care, we can support our children—and ourselves—through one of life’s most defining transitions.

The cap and gown are just the beginning. The real journey is within

Pride & Peace of Mind: Honoring Mental Health During Pride Month

June is a time for celebration, reflection, and visibility. Pride Month is a vibrant reminder of the strength, resilience, and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community. But it’s also an opportunity to talk about something less often discussed — mental health.

While the rainbow flags wave and the parades march on, many LGBTQ+ individuals still carry invisible weights: the burden of rejection, discrimination, internalized shame, and trauma. Pride isn't just about being seen — it's about being supported, fully and authentically.

The Mental Health Landscape for LGBTQ+ Individuals

LGBTQ+ people are at a significantly higher risk for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation

Pride Month is a beautiful celebration of identity — but it can also be emotionally complex. For many, it's a time of empowerment. For others, it's a reminder of pain. And for some, it’s both.

Taking care of your mental health during Pride means allowing yourself the space to feel all of it. You don't have to march in a parade or wave a flag if you're not feeling up to it. Pride is also about surviving, thriving, and choosing to care for yourself in a world that hasn’t always been kind.

Mental Health Tips for Pride Month

1. Set Boundaries: You don’t owe anyone your story or your energy. It’s okay to say no to events, conversations, or people that feel draining.

2. Find Affirming Spaces: Whether online or in person, seek out communities where you feel accepted, supported, and seen.

3. Talk to a Professional: An LGBTQ+-affirming therapist can help you unpack experiences that others may not understand. Therapy is not just for crisis — it’s for growth, too.

4. Practice Self-Compassion: You're doing the best you can in a world that can be hard. Be gentle with yourself.

5. Connect with Joy: Pride is about joy, resistance, and community. Lean into what brings you happiness — music, art, dance, reading, quiet time — and let that be part of your healing.

   
   

To Allies: Your Role is Vital

If you’re an ally, Pride Month is a time not just for celebration but for action. Support LGBTQ+ mental health by:

• Speaking out against discrimination

• Educating yourself on issues affecting the community

• Donating to mental health organizations serving LGBTQ+ individuals

• Listening more than you talk

• Creating safe, affirming environments

  
  
  
  

You Deserve to Be Here — Fully, Fiercely, and Freely

Mental health is health. Queer joy is radical. And choosing to take care of yourself — body, mind, and soul — is one of the most powerful acts of resistance and pride.

This Pride Month, let’s celebrate loudly and care deeply. Let’s honor those we’ve lost, support those who are struggling, and lift up those who are thriving. Every identity is valid, every story matters, and every person — including you — deserves peace of mind.