July Reflections: Conferences, Connections, and Carving Out a New Rhythm

Centerville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

July was a month of both travel and grounding—a blend of professional engagement, meaningful connections, and personal recalibration as I continue building my wellness routine in this new chapter post-graduation.

I began the month in Montreal for the International Association of Cultic Studies Conference. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking few days, connecting with colleagues from around the world who are committed to understanding high-control groups and supporting those impacted by them. The sessions were rich with research, lived experience, and practical approaches, and I left with new ideas for weaving this learning into my mental health literacy and prevention work. I was particularly interested in a workshop on financial trauma and another on frameworks for understanding coercive control.

Later in the month, I headed to southern Vermont for the SVTAHEC Governor’s Institute on Health and Medicine Program, where I taught teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA). Spending the week with motivated and curious students was a true highlight—seeing their willingness to ask questions, challenge stigma, and think deeply about mental health reaffirmed the importance of youth-centered education. It is so important that we continue to build out the future workforce and nurture their interests.

In between, I took a quick trip to Saratoga Springs to visit friends working at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). It was the perfect mid-summer reset—catching up with people I care about in a beautiful location.

Saratoga Springs State Park

Alongside these travels, I continued leading a handful of virtual workshops and began refining my personal wellness routine—the next layer of balance and self-care now that school is behind me. I’ve been paying close attention to what energizes me, what grounds me, and how to structure my days to sustain both my work and my health for the long term.

July felt like a bridge between what I’ve accomplished and what’s ahead—professional momentum paired with intentional personal growth. I headed into August with a clearer vision, renewed energy, and a deep appreciation for the mix of purpose and joy this season has brought.