Simple Rituals Matter: A Morning Tea Reflection
Introduction
Cup of chocolate lavender chai loose leaf tea
Wellness Is Presence: On Tea, Stillness, and Small Rituals
My aunt is a true tea connoisseur — her shelves of loose leaf and bagged teas could rival a boutique café.
We both grew up in England, where tea has always been more than a drink. For us, it’s a pause, a rhythm, and a way of connecting.
I love staying at her house, especially for the mornings we share. Those slow starts, sipping tea and talking, remind me how grounding it is to have a family member who not only inspires me but also keeps me accountable to my wellness routines.
This morning, we brewed a chocolate lavender chai — scooping, steeping, straining. That quiet moment of stillness steadied me before a full day of finalizing my ERAS residency application, which I submitted that evening. Looking back, the pause mattered more than the rush.
Wellness Is Mindful Nourishment
Wellness is mindful nourishment. It’s not just what we eat, but how we honor the time it takes to prepare and enjoy it. Even in the busiest seasons, I’ve learned that a mindful meal or cup of tea can be grounding.
During medical school, I often had only 20- 30 minutes for lunch. Even in that short window, I discovered the power of pausing, breathing, and being fully in the moment. Those tiny pauses carried me through long days and reminded me that stillness is possible anywhere.
Espresso suga, Chocolate Chai, Black Chocolate Tea
“Wellness can be as simple as watching tea leaves steeping in hot water, or fifteen quiet minutes to breathe.”
The Power of Small Moments
Post-med school life has given me more space to rediscover rituals like this: morning tea, quiet moments, time with loved ones. These aren’t grand gestures or expensive wellness trends — they’re everyday practices that cost little but mean everything.
Simple rituals matter. From scooping tea leaves into a cup to sitting down to sip slowly, these moments of presence shape how we feel throughout the day.
If you’re ready to create your own daily practices, my Wellness Toolkit is a great place to start.
Wellness, Day by Day
In every chapter of life, wellness takes a different form. For me, right now, it looks like slow mornings, cooking with intention, running with community, and sharing mindful practices. For someone else, it might be journaling, a five-minute walk, or turning off notifications for an hour.
For some, journaling may be the simplest way to pause and reconnect — try a few of my guided journal prompts for inspiration.
Wellness looks different daily — but presence is always the constant.
Cheers to a good cup of tea
Closing Reflection
Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as watching tea leaves steep or giving yourself fifteen quiet minutes to breathe.
These small moments often carry the greatest impact — grounding us, restoring perspective, and reminding us to be present.
If you’re looking to create your own toolkit of everyday practices, I’ve put together a Wellness Toolkit with accessible strategies anyone can try.
📩❓✨ What’s one small practice that helps you pause and find stillness?✨