A Poetic Pause🌙....

It has been six months since my last blog post… and I don’t regret a single moment.

The version of me from before would have felt behind. She may have even felt disappointed in herself… worried that she had somehow disappointed you — my fellow tea lovers, my Steeped Souls.

But this time, something was different.

This time, I allowed myself to pause.

And not just any pause — a poetic one.

A pause that gave me space to reflect on what I truly needed… not only for myself, but for my children, my health, and the life I am actively building.

During these past months, life asked more of me than I anticipated.

Many of us were navigating the weight of uncertainty — especially during the government shutdown that touched so many of our homes, routines, and sense of stability. I felt that shift too. Deeply.

But beyond that… I faced one of the most life-altering moments of my journey.

Earlier this year, I underwent a total thyroidectomy.

For years, I lived with hyperthyroidism — carrying symptoms that quietly shaped my days in ways I didn’t always have the language for. The heart palpitations. The emotional highs and lows. The constant hunger that never quite felt satisfied. The exhaustion hidden beneath everything.

And eventually… I chose myself.

I chose healing.

I chose to take a step that felt terrifying, but necessary — for my health, my peace, and my future.

Now, nearly three months post-surgery, I can honestly say… I feel lighter.

Not just physically — but energetically, emotionally… spiritually.

This pause allowed me to return to what I’ve always known deep down:

Healing is not linear.

It ebbs. It flows. It stretches us… then softens us.

And somewhere within those waves, we find ourselves again.

Or maybe… we meet a newer version.

A version that is more grounded. More intentional. More aligned with what truly matters.

For me, that return brought me right back here…

To tea. 🍵

Not just as a beverage — but as ritual. As comfort. As a quiet anchor in the midst of everything.

This six-month absence was never a loss.

It was a return.

A poetic pause… that led me back home.

And if you find yourself in a season where things feel slow, uncertain, or disconnected…

Maybe you’re not falling behind.

Maybe you’re being invited to pause.

To listen.

To realign.

To remember what you love.

Because what is meant for you will always find its way back…

Especially when you make space for it.

—

🌿 Reflection Ritual: Returning to What You Love

Tonight, or whenever you feel called, I invite you into a gentle moment with yourself.

Brew a cup of tea that feels like comfort to you. This could be something from the Comfort Corner Collection, or a blend that soothes your current season — something warm, grounding, and familiar.

As your tea steeps, take a few quiet breaths.

Then, open your journal and reflect on the following:

• What is something I once loved deeply that I’ve drifted away from?

• What parts of myself feel like they are asking to be nurtured again?

• Where in my life can I allow myself to slow down… without guilt?

• What would it look like to return to my passions gently, instead of forcefully?

There is no rush.

Let this be your poetic pause.

Sip slowly. Write freely. Return softly.

Through Leaves & Love™ 🌿Dominique

The Power of Pause is Such A Powerful Thing....