Episode Summary

White tea is subtle, which makes it perfect for practising presence. In this episode, we explore Shoshin (beginner’s mind) as an antidote to living on autopilot - plus a 3-minute tea routine to help you taste your life again, even when your brain is doing admin.

In this episode, we cover:

* Why life can start to feel “same, same, same” as routines harden

* Shoshin (beginner’s mind): openness without preconceptions, even when you’re experienced

* The Einstellung effect: when your brain sticks with the familiar option even when there’s a better one

* A rainy rugby match, a cold beige tea, and the moment you realise you weren’t really there

* The contrast: sharing a pot of tea at home as a “container” for presence and conversation

* The science-y thread: mind-wandering, the default mode network, and why novelty wakes attention up

* Why white tea helps: minimal processing + delicate flavour = attention training

You don’t need a new life to feel awake - you need new attention inside the life you already have.

Resources and Links

* Shoshin - beginner’s mind (Medium): https://medium.com

* Einstellung effect - The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/einstellung-effect

* Meditation & default mode network activity (Brewer et al., PNAS, 2011): https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1112029108

* Novelty & dopamine & memory systems (PMC review): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6352318/

* Make sure you’re getting eteaket’s Tea Mail to be the first to discover our awesome teas, like Rose Petal Purify.

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

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

Episode Summary

This week on The Tea Mind, I’m joined by Svetlana Kukharchuk, founder of The Cheese Lady and author of The Cheese Connoisseur’s Handbook. Her journey takes us from Siberia to Scotland, via cheese counters in New York and caves in France - but really, this is a story about trusting your senses, building from joy, and choosing progress over perfection.

Whether you're a fellow foodie or just trying to bring more presence and pleasure into your week, this conversation will ground you, inspire you, and maybe even change your next trip to the cheese aisle.

In this episode, we cover:

* The surprising way Svetlana fell into the world of cheese

* What affinage really is (and why it’s so much more than ageing)

* Why she believes joy should not be saved for Christmas

* Starting a business with a newborn - and why she did it anyway

* How her childhood in Siberia shaped her resilience

* The one blue cheese and baked cheese you need to try this winter

* Why movement, breath, and cheese boards might be your new go-to rituals

Resources and Links

* The Cheese Lady Website

* The Cheese Connoisseur’s Handbook

* Follow Svetlana on LinkedIn and The Cheese Lady on Instagram

* Murray’s Cheese – NYC

* Hervé Mons – French Affineur

* The Chocolate Tree (UK chocolatier)

* Make sure you’re getting eteaket’s Tea Mail to be the first to discover our awesome teas, Valentine’s shop now live.

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

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

Episode Summary

Late January can feel heavy. The “fresh start” buzz is gone, and spring feels miles away. In this episode, Erica explores wintering as a real practice (not an Instagram aesthetic), guided by the Water element in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - quiet, deep, steady energy - paired with white tea. You’ll learn how to conserve your reserves now, so you’re resourced for the coming months.

In this episode, we cover:

* Why late January often feels harder than we expect (and why that doesn’t mean you’re failing).

* How the Water element (TCM) frames winter: conservation, restoration, and working with fear rather than fighting it.

* A river metaphor for resilience: water doesn’t battle the rock - it adapts and keeps moving.

* Why “flow” isn’t doing more, it’s reducing internal noise.

* A 3-minute tea-and-journaling ritual to build steadiness and protect your energy.

Resources and Links

* Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times - Katherine May. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/438893/wintering-by-katherine-may/9781846045998

* Winter, the Water element (Kidneys, reserves, fear) and Traditional Chinese Medicine article - Ear Spheres. https://www.earspheres.co.uk/post/winter-the-water-element-in-chinese-medicine-rest-renewal-and-returning-to-your-depths

* Expressive writing research overview. https://cssh.northeastern.edu/pandemic-teaching-initiative/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2020/10/Pennebaker-Expressive-Writing-in-Psychological-Science.pdf

* Make sure you’re getting eteaket’s Tea Mail to be the first to discover our awesome teas, like these white teas.

Gentle note

If a low mood feels heavy, persistent, or scary, please reach out to a professional or someone you trust. Seasonal dips are common and support helps.

* Resources for Mental Wellbeing: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/how-we-can-help/resources/

* Resources for crisis support: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/how-we-can-help/get-help-now/ (Scotland) and https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ (England & Wales)

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

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