Nicole Bensen

the Tea Time blog

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Are you feeling as steamrolled as I am right now? With all the end-of-school-year stuff and summer chaos layered on top of real life, I’ve been feeling stretched way too thin. Teacher gifts, graduations, birthday parties, snack duty, travel planning—not to mention democracy being at stake and doing my best to run a one-woman business—it’s […]

I used to think ā€œmindfulnessā€ meant I had to sit in total silence, legs crossed, trying to ā€œempty my mind.ā€ But…I have ADHD, and my brain doesn’t DO empty. Thankfully, mindfulness isn’t about shutting down your thoughts. It’s just about noticing the present moment without judgment. One of my favorite ways to do that is a playful […]

Three totally unrelated, recent moments gave me the same insight. I’ve been thinking about identity: how the way we see ourselves directly shapes the choices we make, how big we let ourselves dream, and the lives we build based on what we believe we’re capable of and worthy of. Moment one:I posted a photo on my Instagram […]

This week’s note is simple. Just something I wanted to share in case you’ve been feeling off—annoyed, reactive, over it. Here’s a ~17-minute video someone close to me shared that is such a good reminder to let go of the stuff that doesn’t deserve your energy: ā–¶ļø Nobody and Nothing Will Affect You Again I don’t know […]

HiĀ friend! Last week I shared the story of how I asked the Universe for a business bestie…and then hesitated when I got a coffee invite from someone who checked several of the exact boxes I’d been journaling about. šŸ™ˆ If you missed it, you can catch up here. I shared ā€œ7 signs your subconscious might be […]

Wanna hang out the weekend of April 25th? My new friend, Kelsey, is hosting herĀ Burnout Relief Wellness RetreatĀ 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 […]

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 […]

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, lakesideĀ 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 […]

As we enter 2025, ask not ā€œWhat more can I do?ā€ but ā€œWhat can I let go of?ā€ Release the burdens of others’ expectations, constant availability, and comparison. Growth begins with the courage to let go. Here’s to less pressure and more you.

You might be celebrating Christmas Eve, Hanukkah Eve, or maybe just a quiet inbox because your colleagues are OOO.