Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing

by Tara Pringle Jefferson

304 pages, Hardcover

Published December 2, 2025

Reviews

[Ashleigh Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloom How You Must felt like a long deep hug for Black women, a hug that includes a back pat and rub with a whisper that says “I see you, rest now.” I saw my self, and multiple generations of the women in my family and in my life. I was reminded of things I already knew about caring for and loving myself but I also learned some new things and ways to go about life differently. I’m inspired to take some of the suggestions from the book and apply them to my life in an effort to take better care of me.

[Frechic Burton-Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything my soul needed. I’m on a journey to towards radical self care and this book was the toolkit I needed to not only take good care of myself but also to teach my daughter the same! Thank you Tara for following your spirit towards writing the words our hearts and bodies needed. 🤎🫶🏾

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, intentional and so incredibly needed now more than ever. I've drifted away from self-help books after a chronic obsession of them when I entered my 30s but now, if I'm going to read them, they need to be inclusive, practical and research-based. I am so proud of what Jefferson was able to do here. The stories from the women she interviewed plus her ability to get personal with her own life experiences made this so enjoyable to read. And I'm not biased just because she has me listed as one of the "gardeners" in the back of the book - although it was such a nice surprise to stumble upon that while spotting this read at my local library. So much of the work I've done in passion projects have been for Black women. Jefferson and I are alike in that way and this book is such a balm in a world, in a society and in an existence that continues to silence and discount us. Bloom How You Must reminds us of our greatness (that stems from our ancestors, no doubt), our need for rest without apology and the ever so important requirement of community by us and for us, to not only thrive but to also survive. Grateful to this work and will be purchasing several copies to give as gifts. ❤️

[LaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloom How You Must by Tara Pringle Jefferson was everything I needed to start the new year. I learned so much from the author and the “gardeners,” especially about the importance of self-care, intentional movement, sisterhood, joyspace, and professional wellness, to name just a few. It was also my first time hearing the term “personal summer,” which deeply resonated with me.

This book made me feel seen and reminded me that I am not alone in navigating the many roles I carry—as a mom, wife, friend, daughter, professional, and most importantly, a Black woman. I often read this book in the mornings before starting my day, and one morning in particular felt heavy from the moment I opened my eyes. On that day, the words reached me in a way that brought tears, offering comfort and clarity when I needed it most. This is a book I will keep as a reference—something to return to during tough times and a reminder that those seasons don’t last forever.

[Charlotte Key · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so hard to slow down sometimes. As Black women, we often put ourselves last on the list, making sure everyone and everything is okay before even giving a thought to ourselves. Bloom How You Must made me explore how do I really take care of myself.

When Tara Pringle Jefferson asks, where did you learn about self-care, I couldn't formulate an answer. I've never thought about how the women in your life (mothers, sisters, grandmothers, friends) help to teach you about self care. It is not something that comes naturally to us, but Jefferson opened my eyes to how important it is and just what all it entails. This book made me face some hard questions and helped me to make a shift in how I treat myself. I would definitely recommend this book to any woman trying to find her through all the things on the never ending to do list.

[LaQuetta Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloom How You Must is a reminder for us to keep quality over quantity as our guide. A reminder for us to not only embrace rest, but to remember the sacrifices of those who came before us and to honor those sacrifices by resting where we can. This book was gently and lovingly written to help us remember who we are and how rest is a significant contribution to the blooming in the journey of life. Highly recommend.