Nicole Bensen

the Tea Time blog

Welcome to

Wanna hang out the weekend of April 25th? My new friend, Kelsey, is hosting her Burnout Relief Wellness Retreat on a beautiful, peaceful property outside Seattle, The Lodge at St. Edward: This is actually where I spent my birthday last year with two of my friends, and I’m so excited one of those friends is flying back […]

At 16, I was absolutely obsessed with Starship Troopers. Okay, so specifically, I was obsessed with the actor, Casper Van Dien, who played the main character. There was no one who could convince me he wasn’t the “hottest guy ever.” (Or at least in the top three—Chris O’Donnell and Chipper Jones rounded out my list.) Fast forward to […]

One of my 2025 Bingo Card goals is to attend more networking events both in person and online. And in the first two months of this year I’ve been to SEVEN in person, group networking events (with two more happening this week). And I’ve noticed a lot. Some good, some not-so-good, and honestly some really bad mistakes people tend […]

Controversial take: Whether you believe in manifestation or not…you’re already doing it. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Your current reality—the job, the relationships, the stress, the joy—is a reflection of the thoughts, feelings, and ideas you’ve absorbed, reinforced, and now carry with you. I don’t mean everything that’s ever happened to you […]

If the world feels overwhelming right now, you’re not alone. I’ve rounded up some simple ways to protect your peace, so you don’t burn out. Here are 3 articles from the Greater Good Science Center: And here are 5 simple ideas, even if you only have 20 minutes: I took this pic in Barnes and […]

We were all huddled around Phyllis’ desk—analysts, admins, and loan officers—leaning in as she described her opulent dinner at a fine dining restaurant called The French Laundry. I’d never heard of it. Another thing I’d never heard of? Sweetbreads. But the way she talked about it made it very clear they were neither sweet nor bread. […]

My kids are all home this morning on a 2-hour school delay due to icy roads, so I just recorded a 1-minute video (no time for polished transitions and edits!) to share this week’s resource: a Valentine’s edition of a Life Bingo card. (Not sure how to use a Life Bingo card? Read the blog post […]

Today’s my birthday! I’m one of those people who turns a birthDAY into a celebration WEEK, and I kicked off this year’s festivities with a girls’ weekend at the lovely, lakeside Woodmark Hotel and Spa. Two friends flew in from California, and we had pasta and cocktails, spa time, and chats next to the fire pit […]

30 Thursdays: Share your feedback on implementing growth strategies, building better habits, and dedicating time to self-improvement.

Get your Free Bingo Card Template to turn goals into fun, actionable steps. Plan your best year yet with this creative and easy tool!