June 2026 Mixtape: Staying Present Through Change

Written By Candice Coughenour

Happy June! Happy Pride! Happy Birthmonth Gemini and Cancers! Happy my half-birthday! Happy lightning bug month!

The Story Behind This Mixtape

I am excited to use the halfway point in the Gregorian calendar to switch it up and try something new. I am still writing Somewhat Congruent from my human perspective, and I am glad to start writing more from my “therapist” perspective.

The idea of the mix tapes has been something I have been thinking about and storing away, and finally, now feels like the time to try this brain baby out.

For some back story…

I LOVE AFFIRMATION MUSIC.

I found this genre accidentally, meaning I didn’t know it was what I was looking for, and I believe a part of me knew exactly what I needed.

Anyway, during a lot of big G Giant life transitions, I felt the death of that self and needed a way to rebuild. Like the Tower card in tarot…which, obviously, was the card I pulled OFTEN during that time in my life.

The Tower signifies an often unexpected change in life, drastically shifting your path. Though the Tower card is depicted with lightning striking and the demise of a tower, I have learned to welcome this card as an indicator of a much-needed change in direction and a release of what isn’t working.

There is also irony that this week I pulled the Tower in reverse, and I am connecting the dots literally as I write this.

Duh. I found this music during an unexpected Tower phase, and the very week I decide to actually birth this idea, I am consciously making a shift and changing my own direction by resetting and trying something new for Congruent Soul and my very human (who happens to be a therapist) Self.

So anyway, during a major life reset, I found affirmation music, and after years of listening to it and collecting favorites, I am finally sharing it with some intention. I am sharing these messages with people who may need to hear them. I am taking on the mix tape mission! I am creating with love and intention, much like the original mixtapes, much like the CDs I burned for my friends in middle school.

My goal for the next 6 months is to send you handpicked playlists and newsletters that match each month's theme.

So without further ado, I present:

June 2026 Mixtape: From Then and for Now

These songs all found me during different transitions, but together they remind me of the same thing: stay present, trust the shift, and keep understanding your Self.

This month's theme is all about transitions, both past and present.

And staying exactly where you need to be:

with your Self,
Here and Now.

Future Trippin by Carly Pearl

(Dad Warning—mentions calling a father)

This is for the overthinkers stalling outnow for fear of what the future may hold with a message to be where you are.

This song feels mellow and inspiring to me.

Along with this song, I am sharing a small exercise to help you continue connecting with the here and now often mentioned in it.

  • June Small Exercise:

    • Take 3 slow breaths.

    • With Each Notice:

      • One thing you can see

      • One thing you can hear

      • One thing you can feel

Crea888 by Peachkka and Sariyah Wise

This is for the perfectionists blocking their own creativity. It delivers hope for us all to shift our thinking and connect back to our Self and create.

Create anything and everything.

As this song mentions a tarot pull, and so did I, I am using this song to expand on my tarot pull for us this week.

  • June Tarot Pull:

    • The Fool

      • The Fool is the first card in the tarot deck and signifies a need for pizzazz and boldness. Encouraging us all to act boldly and try something new.

    • Ask yourself:

      • How can you trust your Self to create your own path?


I Choose Me by Sarah Leah

The last song on this month's playlist reminds us that the key to anything is through the understanding of Self.

So people-pleasers...

Listen up.

In order to effectively consider self, other, or context, one must understand and “choose” Self.

Self-worth and identity are often explored through boundaries whether rigid, enmeshed, or clear (learn more here).

I am pairing this song with this month's Journal Prompt.

  • June Journal Prompt

    • Inspired by the party I threw on 6/6/26 honoring divine feminine energy and the number 6! For me, 6/6 is a reminder to look within ourselves and our feminine energy to consider our heart’s needs and desires. 

    • It invites us to create boundaries for those needs through our own actions.

    • An activity associated with this day, month, number, and idea is what I am calling:

  • The Great Boundary Divide

    • Where am I abandoning my own needs in order to keep someone else comfortable?

    • Draw a line or fold your paper in half 

    • On side one: Write down incongruent situations, relationships, or commitments where you feel chronically drained and lacking boundaries.

    • On side two: Identify what type of boundary it is that is draining you, and identify one clear, concrete change you can implement to reclaim your energy.


Not The One (Meditation) by Erica Mason

This song isn't a song at all, it's a meditation.

  • June Meditation:

    • Not The One (Meditation) by Erica Mason

      • For those that feel lonely, for those that have spent time so focused on Other and afraid to be with Self, this meditation may give you space to face some fear.


I hope something here speaks to you.

These songs found me during seasons of change and now I get to pass them along with intention.

Though I yearn for my days of burning CDs, I truly want to honor the original tradition of a mix tape: sharing something that mattered to me in hopes that it meets you exactly where you are.

You can click on each link to listen on YouTube.

Or

Use this link for my YouTube playlist.

Warmly,
Candice


What's Happening at Congruent Soul

If you missed them, here are this recent blog posts:

Candice Coughenour https://congruentsoultherapy.com