For the longest time, writing things down has really helped me articulate and step toward many of my life visions and dreams and many of them have come to be. Its a really soul satisfying thing, to have what’s in your heart come to be manifest.

I was looking at the space where my altar used to live, with statues of Ganesh and Lakshmi. Now days its more of a compote, a mix of small things that bring me joy and beauty. A ceramic truck from Sorrento, a vintage mirror Andrew gave me for Christmas, a small Italian angel I bought in Sorrento, a box of fragrant candles a good friend brought back from Paris.

Happiness for me is creating art focused around my North Star of Beauty.

If you’re like me and you prefer a philosophical perspective, what are you leaning into for inspiration and growth? What is bringing you a sense of comfort and ease with your tea?

‘Ritual comes naturally to us. It appears early in our childhood and stays with us for the rest of our lives, reliably surging when we need it the most. It helps soothe our anxieties and get a sense of order in an otherwise chaotic world’. Ritual by Dimitris Xygalatas.

See if you don’t feel better at the end of this creative prompt. I did. 55 blessings, little acknowledgements of things I’m thankful for, people I loved spending time with, places I visited, dinners I hosted.

Wardrobe: What’s your favourite top? Dress? Pants? Bag? Perfume? Scarf? Shoes? Lay them out, and take note, why do you feel great in that outfit? Maybe a good outfit led to a great decision, perhaps your cute shoes took you to a place where you had an amazing conversation. Maybe your handbag, that cute one you love, was the bag you were wearing when you met a new friend? Take notes, what clothes make you feel great, and let your next purchases be in alignment with that.

The part of this ritual I love most, is the application of her rouge ~ or blush as we now call it. I remember loving this part so much as I could see the appearance of happiness. It was palpable, I could feel the lift in her mood, the rise of colour in her cheeks (some natural some applied) and a skip in her step.

Drape a soft pashmina over your shoulders, or anything soft, sip your brew and enjoy the slowing down that tea brings.