The ground is shifting beneath us. Fear, frustration, and exhaustion press in on many of us, and the weight of what’s happening in the world can feel constant. Yet even amid this, moments of care, presence, and attention still matter; and they are not optional. They are necessary.
Tea offers a doorway into these moments. Not as a distraction or escape, but as a practice that helps us stay grounded, regulated, and open-hearted. Our ancestors understood this. Ritual was not optional, it was as essential as nourishment, rest, and hygiene, helping communities and families survive long periods of instability and change.
Sitting with tea, whether alone or with others, cultivates care, discernment, and clarity. It gives us a container to slow down, notice our own hearts, and show up for the world from a place of steadiness rather than depletion. This week, let’s return to the practice that sustains us, keeps our hearts open, and holds quiet strength and stillness beneath the surface of our daily lives.
This Week in Practice: Why We Need Tea Now More Than Ever
There’s no pretending that the world isn’t in turmoil right now. Many of us feel shaken, angry, scared, and quietly (or loudly) despairing. These feelings are real, and they are valid.
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
—Audre Lorde
In times of harm and instability, the powers that be often act to keep us depleted. Disconnection, injustice, and despair are woven into the systems around us, and yet small acts of presence and care carry weight far beyond what we might imagine.
This is why rituals exist. They grew out of necessity, as ways for people to care for themselves, stay connected, and endure difficult times. Rituals are are part of what makes us human, shaped over generations to help us navigate uncertainty with presence.
Daily rituals, like tea, help us stay present, resourced, and human. Tea:
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Regulates the nervous system, helping to steady both body and mind
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Grounds us in our bodies, offering a place to feel and notice the present
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Opens the heart to care and discernment, supporting action from clarity rather than exhaustion
Whether you sit with tea alone or with others, the practice carries a quiet power. It is a statement: I’m still here. I still care. I will continue to show up and nourish connection, even when it is difficult.
Prioritize your practice. Care for your nervous system. Sit fully with yourself. Show up. We are in this together.
Five Element Insights: The Quiet Work of Water
Water teaches us the power of quiet, of holding space for what arises. In the midst of difficulty, stillness is not passive, it actively keeps our hearts open and our awareness present. Like tea steeping, reflection unfolds slowly, revealing what is alive beneath the surface. Water invites patience, receptivity, and the strength of yielding, reminding us that holding space is itself an act of care. It shows us that rest and attentiveness are forms of resilience, allowing the mind and body to settle so we can respond rather than react.
As you sit with your tea this week, consider:
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When you allow yourself to fully rest, what does that feel like in your body? Notice tension, release, and the spaces in between.
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How do you create small moments of stillness or pause, even amid demands or unrest? What shifts when you do?
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How do you notice fear, anger, or exhaustion without letting it take over or shape your choices?
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What practices or supports help you sink into deep, restorative rest, giving your nervous system space to reset?
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How might cultivating stillness now help you move into the next season of growth (Wood, energy, and action) with clarity, rooted energy, and grounded presence?
In these moments of stillness, you are practicing presence, care, and the quiet strength that sustains meaningful action in the world.
What We’re Drinking
Earth Song (Looseleaf Raw Puerh, Mid 90s)
Earth Song is an herbaceous, grounding tea that unfolds like a walk through a wild garden. Notes of oregano and ginseng mingle with forest understory and medicinal herbs, offering a full-bodied, deeply settling flavor. Its mellow base carries a hydrating, mouth-watering finish that invites repeated sips, slowing the pace and sharpening awareness. This tea is a companion for reflection, connection, and slow, attentive tasting. Best brewed sidehandle or gongfu with water just shy of a boil for 2–4 people.
Current Inspirations
BALM (Live Meditations) by Jahnavi Harrison
Singing bowls and mantra create a slow, enveloping field of sound that supports deep rest and nervous system regulation. These live recordings work on the body more than the mind, inviting spaciousness, release, and quiet repair without asking anything of you.
We could all use more intentional rest right now. Tuck yourself into bed or settle into a fully supported restorative posture with blankets and bolsters. Put on headphones. Let the vibration of the bowls and voice nourish the body, steady the heart, and support the quiet work of restoration.
Friends of Living Tea
Meet Kat Mills Martin
Kat Mills Martin is a critically acclaimed film director and writer whose work explores identity, intimacy, and transformation. Her debut feature Wake Up, Leonard screened at festivals including Raindance and Cinequest and won Best Feature at the 2024 Best of NFMLA Awards. Her short films, including Celeste in Spring and It’s Not Pee!, have been recognized by Vimeo Staff Picks and Academy-qualifying festivals.
She graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, curates the short film showcase Buttercut, and leads the creative studio Studio Norté, supporting filmmakers across projects and genres.
Alongside her work behind the camera, Kat studies the wisdom traditions of India and Tibet, somatic healing, and tea ceremony. She also teaches writing, provides creative mentorship, and is known for serving really good tea.