For years, I only looked in the mirror to fix my hair or find flaws. I never really saw myself.

Then I tried mirror gazing. At first, it felt awkward - like I was staring at a stranger. But as I kept going, something shifted. I started to see me - not just my reflection, but the person behind it. The one who’s been through so much. The one who’s still standing.

Then I took it a step further… I gave myself a high five.

It felt ridiculous at first. But Mel Robbins’ High 5 Habit is built on science: A high-five is a neurological trigger for encouragement. Your brain can’t tell the difference between giving one and receiving one. It just registers: “I’m proud of you.”

So, here’s my challenge: Tomorrow morning, look at yourself. Really see yourself. Say something kind. And give yourself a high five.

Sounds small, but trust me - it changes everything.

Try it and tell me how you feel. Are you in?

Resources:

Mel Robbins The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Ever felt stuck in routine? Like you're moving through life on autopilot?

In this episode of The Tea Mind Podcast, we explore the power of Shoshin, or Beginner’s Mind - a Zen Buddhist concept that invites us to approach life with curiosity, openness, and wonder.

Shunryu Suzuki, the Zen master who introduced Shoshin to the West, famously said:“In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.”

What if your daily tea break could be a simple way to rediscover this mindset?

In this episode, we’ll explore:

* Why Beginner’s Mind matters in a world obsessed with certainty.

* How letting go of assumptions can unlock creativity and joy.

* A guided tea ritual to help you see, sip, and savour with fresh eyes.

* Simple ways to bring Shoshin into your daily life.

Every cup of tea is an opportunity to pause, reset, and rediscover the magic of not knowing.

🎧 Grab a cup, take a breath, and join me for this mindful journey.

Resources:

The Silver Needle I brew is here …

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Life is full of noise. The endless scrolling, the ticking to-do list, the pull of responsibilities. But what if you had a space - a simple, sacred space - where time slowed, where a warm cup in your hands became an anchor, where you could exhale and return to yourself?

You don’t need a meditation room or a countryside retreat. Your tea space can be a corner of your kitchen, a chair by the window, a quiet moment on your balcony, even a pause in your parked car. What matters is intention.

A space to breathe. A space to sip. A space to come back to… again and again.

Start small:

* Choose a spot and make it yours.

* Clear the clutter - physically and mentally.

* Let music, scent, or a candle set the tone.

* Let tea be the ritual that holds you.

Because when you have a space for tea, you have a space for stillness.

And in stillness, you rebalance and thrive.

Where is your tea space? If you don’t have one yet, where could it be? Share below. 🍵✨

Resources:

You can find the Tea Station, Serving Board, Bubble Cup, Placemats and Gaiwan I refer to here …

And the GABA Oolong I brew is here …

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.