Woman in Blume: July 2025 Newsletter

Greetings!

As July closes, we’re pausing to take stock, not just of what we got done, but of what we discovered by slowing down.

This month, the conversation at Woman in Blume centred around rest, the real kind. Not always bubble baths or long weekends, but sometimes simply the courage to say “enough” to the parts of life that keep draining us.

In a culture that celebrates productivity and quietly normalises burnout, we chose a different rhythm. For many of us, that began with paying attention to the quiet signs of fatigue we’ve learned to push past.

July was Mental Illness Awareness Month, and it also marked Corporate Wellness Week here in South Africa. But beyond the campaigns and awareness days, this was about everyday wellbeing. Not the curated kind with fruit bowls and yoga mats, but the kind rooted in honest questions. How are you really doing?

Throughout the month, we reflected on what rest means in real life and what it might look like to stop chasing what exhausts us. Here are some of the reflections we offered. Perhaps one of them meets you where you are.

The Unseen Load at WorkAre you carrying responsibilities no one else sees, like managing relationships, calming tensions, or keeping things steady? That’s real work, even if it’s never named. What would it mean to share the weight?

When You’re Worn Thin (But Still Functioning)Maybe you’re not in full burnout, but just stretched too far. Still showing up. Still coping. But feeling dulled at the edges. Could you name where you need replenishing, even if things look “fine” on the surface?

A Gentler Vision of ThrivingWhat if thriving didn’t mean doing more, but feeling more at ease? For some of us, it looked like more sleep, fewer obligations, and clearer boundaries. What would thriving look like for you, if it didn’t need to be impressive?

If July reminded you of anything, I hope it’s this: you’re allowed to rest without explaining it. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to start caring for yourself.

We’ll carry this with us into August, gently, honestly, and at our own pace.

With care,

Angelique Kalam

P.S. Women's Day is being celebrated during August month, if you're planning a women's-focused event and coud use some support, it's not to late to reach out.