01: It appears to me that a lot of people are looking for permission to pause.
And, if we don’t give ourselves that permission, life often finds a way to force it. Think breakdown, illness, exhaustion.
We’re encouraged to keep pushing through and wait till things calm down.
But things rarely calm down. There’s always more to do, more demands, more stress.
My recent conversation with Sarah Philp on The Tea Mind Podcast stayed with me because she said that a pause can be as small as a breath.
You can pause at a doorway, before you enter a meeting, as the kettle boils.
You don’t need to wait for that perfect window of time when you finally have the space to go on a solo yoga retreat in Bali.
I’m still hopefully this magical time arrives but I’m no longer banking on it.
By slowing down just enough to notice those tiny transition moments, we can become aware of what we actually need.
For me, tea is the anchor.
It gives me a reason to stop without making a big performance of stopping.
A cup of tea becomes a small check-in.
It creates space to hear what I already know.
And, the effects are cumulative. Bonus!
What small pause could you build into your day this week?
p.s. For your pause for tea this week, I recommend Immunitea Boost (a vibrant blend with goji berries and echinacea) & other teas here.
Here’s the podcast episode: Space To Think
© eteaket
02: Oliver Burkeman - Time Management for Mortals
In the OnBeing podcast, Oliver Burkeman explores why our usual approach to “time management” can trap us in the belief that we can fit everything in if we are disciplined enough.
Instead, he offers a more liberating relationship with time - one that accepts limits, embraces mortality and helps us focus on what truly matters.
Listen now: OnBeing Podcast
03: Why the Most Productive Thing You Can Do Is Pause
This Psychology Today articles explains how small pauses may help reset the brain and prevent stress from becoming burnout.
Read now: Psychology Today
Thanks for pausing for tea with me today.
If this helped, I’d love a quick comment, a heart, or a share. It genuinely helps this post reach more people who need a calmer next step.
Erica x
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