Hello, Reader. I’m typing this on my phone as I stand in the early morning December gloom of the kitchen. Now that the persimmon tree between our houses has lost its leaves, the pale yellow glow of the lights in the neighbors’ house reaches me, and I can discern the shape of the pot in the drawer. I fill it with water (about two cups of water for two cups of
It’s so true that not all pauses are generative. I find that despite wanting to write more than anything else, it is the first thing that I tend to put on hold in the face of any disruption.
Unlike many Indian families, mine never had any teatime rituals. It could be why I struggle to find designated moments of peace in my day. Perhaps it is time for me to create room for some generative pauses, hoping that they will help restore the momentum of writing.
Hello, Richa! After I published the post, I had my biggest a-ha moment: writing itself is the most generative act I can practice. Wishing you much momentum and hours of writing!
I grew up loving tea time too. Whether it was at school, college, office or at my home when I lived by myself, I considered that the happiest, meditative part of the day. These days, I am realising that milk is irritating my tummy and I don't want to make a switch because nothing is as good as milk tea with spices. So I end up not having tea sometimes.
I relate to how writing is the first thing we stop doing. My newsletter is sent out once every month, and during the last 2 months, I haven't gotten to writing it since I have been focusing on other aspects of life. I want to be able to give time for it in the coming year as well
Hello, Ranjini! I agree with you- chai is not just a drink, but memory too. I haven’t found an alternative. Wishing you hours of writing in the new year!
Any time is chai time for me, Priya:) In fact, reading this, I made a cuppa--thank you. Although only almond or oat milk these days. Your routine reminds me so of when my son was little and I’d sneak into the kitchen early am before he woke up for the day and make my chai watching the dawn break in...I should dig that write up and share.🤗To answer your questions, these days, a catnap in the afternoon helps me recalibrate! Priority in the new year--make more time to write, figure out what book lies in me, and get less angry;) Yup, teens test hormones. There never seems to be enough time to write and I admire our Substack colleagues who churn up content twice and thrice a week. Where are you based? If in the US and the DC area, we could meet up!
It’s good to hear from you, Anu! I am in California. It’s great to meet up with Substackers in person- I just met someone locally, and it’s great to have writer friends. Let me know if you’re coming west. I’m glad the tea post brought back good memories!
Tea is part of my love language too. I love your writing Priya and as I read the beginning of this post, I thought maybe it's the beginning of a memoir🥰✨🌟💖🙏
Hello, Camilla. Thank you for your support and encouragement. I don’t know that I’ll ever write a memoir, but I love creative nonfiction. I think tea is one of those things that’s beverage, ritual, and memories.
Hi Priya, If you ever did write a memoir, you can count on me as one of your readers😁 And yes, we share both obsessions/enthusiasms: CNF and tea😁 (and I loved learning from Jenna's most recent Witchcraft and Metaphysics post that the etymology of the word enthusiasm is “god inside.”)
I am drinking tea now! 😁 it is bedtime for me and reading time with tea on the nightstand.
My other pause time is the occasional Power Nap after picking up the kids. (I work part time mornings while they are at school.)
I think for me there needs to be a routine to my pauses. They can’t be too long or else I have inertia. I won’t get started again. Short but long enough to be effective. And at the right time of day.
Hello, Candace! Hope you’re doing well. I’m such a fan of your work. I’ve been thinking of the word nourishing as it applies to art and writing, and I that’s what your newsletter does. Happy holidays!
Such lovely photographs and beautiful thoughts on teatime. In this household, we have tea/coffee after each meal with a dessert. I also love taking power naps a few times per week. I wish you a brilliant new year, Priya, full of pauses and inspiration and creation and of course health and abundance!
Dear Nadia, I love the idea of tea or coffee with dessert following a meal. It reminds me of something I’ve read about including all tastes at a meal. Thank you for your support and encouragement, and wishing you all the best!
This was lovely, Priya. Your ritual around tea time sounds wonderful. And it is one I was really glad to read. It was also interesting to hear the Latin root of the word.
Also, I really loved this bit:
“I think I love it even more because of that tiny chip...”
It’s so true that not all pauses are generative. I find that despite wanting to write more than anything else, it is the first thing that I tend to put on hold in the face of any disruption.
Unlike many Indian families, mine never had any teatime rituals. It could be why I struggle to find designated moments of peace in my day. Perhaps it is time for me to create room for some generative pauses, hoping that they will help restore the momentum of writing.
Hello, Richa! After I published the post, I had my biggest a-ha moment: writing itself is the most generative act I can practice. Wishing you much momentum and hours of writing!
I grew up loving tea time too. Whether it was at school, college, office or at my home when I lived by myself, I considered that the happiest, meditative part of the day. These days, I am realising that milk is irritating my tummy and I don't want to make a switch because nothing is as good as milk tea with spices. So I end up not having tea sometimes.
I relate to how writing is the first thing we stop doing. My newsletter is sent out once every month, and during the last 2 months, I haven't gotten to writing it since I have been focusing on other aspects of life. I want to be able to give time for it in the coming year as well
Hello, Ranjini! I agree with you- chai is not just a drink, but memory too. I haven’t found an alternative. Wishing you hours of writing in the new year!
I found myself sighing into a lovely pause in my morning as I read this. Loved it!
Thank you, Reena! Much appreciate it.
Any time is chai time for me, Priya:) In fact, reading this, I made a cuppa--thank you. Although only almond or oat milk these days. Your routine reminds me so of when my son was little and I’d sneak into the kitchen early am before he woke up for the day and make my chai watching the dawn break in...I should dig that write up and share.🤗To answer your questions, these days, a catnap in the afternoon helps me recalibrate! Priority in the new year--make more time to write, figure out what book lies in me, and get less angry;) Yup, teens test hormones. There never seems to be enough time to write and I admire our Substack colleagues who churn up content twice and thrice a week. Where are you based? If in the US and the DC area, we could meet up!
It’s good to hear from you, Anu! I am in California. It’s great to meet up with Substackers in person- I just met someone locally, and it’s great to have writer friends. Let me know if you’re coming west. I’m glad the tea post brought back good memories!
Will do! Back to you—ping if in the DC area. Look forward to more of your reflections.
Tea is part of my love language too. I love your writing Priya and as I read the beginning of this post, I thought maybe it's the beginning of a memoir🥰✨🌟💖🙏
Hello, Camilla. Thank you for your support and encouragement. I don’t know that I’ll ever write a memoir, but I love creative nonfiction. I think tea is one of those things that’s beverage, ritual, and memories.
Hi Priya, If you ever did write a memoir, you can count on me as one of your readers😁 And yes, we share both obsessions/enthusiasms: CNF and tea😁 (and I loved learning from Jenna's most recent Witchcraft and Metaphysics post that the etymology of the word enthusiasm is “god inside.”)
I am drinking tea now! 😁 it is bedtime for me and reading time with tea on the nightstand.
My other pause time is the occasional Power Nap after picking up the kids. (I work part time mornings while they are at school.)
I think for me there needs to be a routine to my pauses. They can’t be too long or else I have inertia. I won’t get started again. Short but long enough to be effective. And at the right time of day.
Hello, Zina! I think that’s something I see with my writing- if I stop for too long, I get stuck. And yes, a power nap is a great restorative!
Just beautiful, Priya. I love the idea of a generative pause 🍵🤍
Hello, Candace! Hope you’re doing well. I’m such a fan of your work. I’ve been thinking of the word nourishing as it applies to art and writing, and I that’s what your newsletter does. Happy holidays!
Such lovely photographs and beautiful thoughts on teatime. In this household, we have tea/coffee after each meal with a dessert. I also love taking power naps a few times per week. I wish you a brilliant new year, Priya, full of pauses and inspiration and creation and of course health and abundance!
Dear Nadia, I love the idea of tea or coffee with dessert following a meal. It reminds me of something I’ve read about including all tastes at a meal. Thank you for your support and encouragement, and wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much, Priya! Oh yes. We need all tastes for balance. But I definitely have a sweet tooth and can never get enough of sweetness. Haha.
Same! I pretend there is a debate between sugar/no sugar in the tea! Sending you lots of love, Nadia!
<3
This was lovely, Priya. Your ritual around tea time sounds wonderful. And it is one I was really glad to read. It was also interesting to hear the Latin root of the word.
Also, I really loved this bit:
“I think I love it even more because of that tiny chip...”
Thanks Priya :)
Michael, thank you reading and taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful 2024!
Lovely piece Priya ❤️.
Thank you, Chandni!