I pray you and yours are well, and not only staying healthy, but working to cultivate the mental and emotional courage necessary during this uncertain time.  

Today, I’m beyond excited to bring you some good news. 

I have been watching, waiting, praying, and staying curious about what my part is in this global health crisis we currently face.  After all, there is simply no owner’s manual.  This is new territory for all of us. 

As a therapist, I long to support you to the best of my ability.  As a human, I long to be connected to you because that’s what we’re hard-wired for:  connection.  As a wife, mother, and friend, I want to do everything in my power to make healthy, wise decisions so as to love in a way that is protective and informed.  

My heart breaks for the lonely, the fearful, and the sick.  If you fall into one or more of these categories, hang on.  This is not the end of the story!

In fact, as leaders, we must not fall prey to the tempting panic and fear-mongering that bleeds from our tv’s, devices, and constant breaking news.  Instead, let’s find the balance between reality and scarcity.

This, my friends, is a massive opportunity to rise up—to advocate for the common good—and to live in wakeful presence.  After all, that is precisely what a crisis of any kind will do—wake us up.

For this, I’m really grateful.  Wake up calls tend to put everything in perspective real fast.

With all the social distance and quarantining, our normal has definitely shifted temporarily.  However, I don’t think we have to feel alone.

Starting NEXT TUESDAY, I’m offering a weekly Women’s Therapeutic Online Group called Bloom.   The group will take place every Tuesday night from 5:30-6:30 pm for the next month and possibly beyond.  It’s important that these groups are affordable ($25/group), consistent (weekly), and virtual (via Zoom) so as to support as many as are interested and in need.  

We will do three things when we meet together: 

1)    Process our emotions and learn to manage the tough ones (anxiety much?!)

2)  Practice some form of mindfulness to learn how to better cope with the uncertainty of our circumstances.

3)  Feel supported in safe community and share stories of hope, courage, and how we can pivot to flourish when what we’re tempted to do is flounder.

This group is by invitation only and as a subscriber, you are the first to know.  If there is someone you know who might be interested, feel free to pass along this invitation.  Space is limited in each group to 10 people to ensure flow and deeper connection.

If you are interested, click here to sign up.  You may also email me with questions at katie@katiegustafson.co. 

It’s true, when we’re stuck in uncertainty and chaos, all we can do is the next right thing.   It’s much easier to do this with the support of loving community.  Creativity flourishes in times of necessity.  Let’s create a new, hopeful way forward.  I’ll hold the space if you’ll share your story.

Can’t wait to see you in Bloom…

Love & Gratitude,

Katie

P.S. Need some Individual therapy instead? Click here for confidential, online therapy.