There is something quietly radical about slowing down.
Not in a dramatic, overhaul-your-life way—but in the small, intentional choices that invite us to linger a little longer than we’re used to. A pause. A breath. A warm cup held between both hands.
As I step into 2026, my word for the year is slow.
Not to do less for the sake of doing less, and certainly not to add more to my plate—but to live more deliberately. To savor moments as they unfold. To choose rhythms that allow space for reflection, rest, and simple pleasures. And nothing embodies slow living quite like the art and ritual of tea.
That’s what inspired Steeped Stories, a biweekly series devoted to tea in all its forms—not as a trend or a productivity exercise, but as a practice of presence. This series isn’t about mastering tea or collecting knowledge for knowledge’s sake. It’s about noticing. About allowing water to heat gradually, leaves to unfurl at their own pace, and time to stretch just a bit wider than usual.
New posts in Steeped Stories will arrive every other Thursday—starting January 29th— and that day is chosen with intention.
Thursday sits in a quiet in-between space. We’re past the middle of the week, most of the work behind us, yet not quite at the weekend. It’s often when the pace starts to quicken again—hurry through today so we can get to Friday.
This series is an invitation to resist that rush. To slow down on Thursday. To mentally set the work aside. To ease ourselves gently toward the weekend instead of sprinting into it.
Over the coming months, we’ll explore:
Different varieties of tea, from the lightest whites to the deepest, earthiest blends
The history and culture behind tea across the world
Simple, unfussy ways to brew and enjoy tea well
Thoughtful accompaniments—small bites meant to complement the moment
Each biweekly post is meant to be lingered over, just like a good cup of tea. Tea teaches us that waiting is not wasted time. That some things cannot—and should not—be hurried. That presence is often found in repetition and ritual.
This series is for anyone craving a gentler pace. For those who want moments of quiet woven into ordinary days. For those who believe slow living isn’t about perfection—it’s about attention.
So put the kettle on. Let the leaves steep. And stay awhile.
Welcome to Steeped Stories. Hope you can join us.