Reflecting and Growing

Here at Bloom, we are always all about learning and growing! A big component of growth requires looking back and reflecting. We accomplish this by taking a moment to stop and reflect on those lessons we’ve learned, the hardships we have overcome as well as the small, little things that brought us joy.

For the last three years, Thanksgiving has been a time for me to reflect since I started going to Chicago when I was dating my now husband. The first time I was nervous and was worried about belonging. The next year I went to Chicago as a fiancé which was different as I was in the middle of planning a wedding during COVID and facing other fears and hopes and dreams. This year, I am in a very different place. I am newly married and living in a different place and routine. I feel like I’ve grown and bloomed significantly just in the last few months by being in a new environment. It was fun to reflect and see how I’ve overcome so much and I also learned a lot in just one short year. It is also exciting to think of where we will be one year from now.

In Bloom’s “Being Planted” we encourage students to reflect on their past intentionally as well as learn that as time goes on, our fears and hopes and dreams will change along with us too and that nothing lasts forever. We also work on a timeline and putting these events down on paper so we can see our own personal growth.

As a female founder, I’ve also adopted this practice to reflect with an amazing group of female leader of organizations to keep each other accountable and encourage one another. This could be a great practice to start this month and take it into the new year as well. It would be great to set up a time with someone who is close to you so you can share your answers and keep moving forward to accomplishing your goals.

At Bloom, we also work on a year in review to show impact and what we’ve been able to do and then start focusing on where want to go, which will be next! In the meantime, we invite you to do your own year in review where you can reflect on what you’ve learned, what you are celebrating and what you are working towards! We are sharing a Bloom Reflection Guide for you to download!