We are one month into 2026, and already, many of us are tired. Tired of what we’re seeing on the news. Tired of our inability to escape our devices. Tired of how changing weather conditions, labor shortages, and the consistent undervaluation of tea are literally brewing trouble for the worldwide tea industry. Ok, that last one might be pretty specific to me.

My point is that modern stressors are taking their toll. Whereas the start of a new year typically signaled opportunities for resolutions and optimistic outlooks, it seems that many people have gained Nostradamus-like abilities and are insistent on proclaiming that the future is bleak.

Here’s the thing. They may be right. We don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever the future holds, we can choose how to approach it. We can choose to stay grounded. Sometimes, we just need something tangible to keep us from the brink. For me, tea has been a steadying force. As the second most consumed beverage in the world, after water, it has been many people’s steadying force for thousands of years.