Iced Matcha Resets

Sometimes all it takes is a good iced matcha, whisked by hand and made with love to cultivate gratitude and put things into perspective (you use to pray for a time like this!)

An Acquired Taste

When I first tried matcha… I ain’t even gon’ hold you - it tasted like dirt. I remember hearing so many good things about it that when I was in the airport, I ordered the largest version I could to take on the plane as an emotional support beverage.

You know, trying something new while going somewhere new.

Tuh!

Do you know how upset I was when I took that first sip and it tasted like crushed rocks?! Bitter, chalky, and an overall system shock that derailed my entire flight experience. I. Was. Pissed.

It wasn’t until years later that I decided to give it another try… and when I say years, I mean within the last 12 months (the incident was back in 2017).

During one of those insomnia-induced nights, I found myself diving down the rabbit hole of matcha. Every now and again, I would find someone whisking away, creating this frothy, creamy, green-hued masterpiece, and I figured that TikTok would show me the truth, way, and light.

Well, it did.

The Lesson Found In It’s Cultivation

What I learned that stuck with me when it came to matcha is this: it’s levels to this sh!t!

One of the best grades of matcha is ceremonial (most chain coffee spots use culinary grade… and just like culinary (cooking) wine - it’s cheap and usually trash). Ceremonial matcha is sourced from the youngest, most tender leaves at the top of the tea plant, specifically grown in the shade for several weeks before harvest. The technical reason behind it: the increase in chlorophyll and amino acids, giving the matcha its vibrant green color and rich, smooth flavor.

After harvesting, the leaves are steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder using traditional stone mills so it can be bright and vivid. The careful cultivation of ceremonial matcha retains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, offering numerous health benefits such as improved focus, metabolism boost, and immune support.

Ceremonial matcha is known for its balance.

To achieve this balance in flavor, you need to put in a little effort, patience, and care. You need to heat your water at the right temperature, sift the powder to eliminate clumps, use a bamboo whisk to blend the tea, and add a little honey to complement the umami-rich flavor with a natural sweetness from nature (earthy but not dirty—there’s a difference). This is what makes matcha what it is—a rewarding, almost self-indulgent experience.

…and that’s when I realized - I’m a lot like matcha.

No Matter The Cycle, You’re Always Producing

I had a moment over the weekend. I felt… I don’t want to say burnt out - because that’s not exactly what it was - but a sense of overwhelm.

I was processing so many things - everything, everywhere, all at once. My brain firing off 24/7, 7-days a week is not anything new;

Real Blerd Girl Ish

is a bullet casing I collected amongst the fired rounds, but this time, it felt different. For the first time in a long time, I realized that I had several passion projects running successfully simultaneously. These are not projects that I was managing for a traditional 9-5 either, but they are being produced and managed by me, for me.

On Juneteenth, I silently signed the necessary documents to get a business address and my LLC. I now have my EIN, building a personal website for my coaching practice, and establishing myself as a writer.

What I once thought would be a side hustle has become the main hustle, and I’ll be honest—it wasn’t the original route. In my letter called f o r w a r d¹ I spoke about my experience with job loss and healing from the blow to the ego - leading to me embracing a more audacious soul showcased in the letter The Audacity².

The floor would fall in as soon as I felt I had made an impact. The confidence I had built would suddenly crumble, leaving me questioning my abilities and worth. It was a relentless cycle of progress and self-doubt, where every step forward seemed to be met with an equally forceful setback. This instability made it hard to trust in my successes or to believe that I was truly capable of lasting change.

excerpt from f o r w a r d

I embrace my insecurities, viewing them as untapped potential instead of letting them fester and form into blocking beliefs.

excerpt from The Audacity

As I made my iced matcha this morning, I took my time. I was intentional in making sure I didn’t rush the process; after all - I had been without matcha for over a month because good matcha can be expensive. During this morning's self-care moment, I realized that I needed to cultivate my endeavors with the same time and care that I do for my iced indulgences.

from Instagram: @warriorgoddesstraining, @corymuscara, & a dope black artist named @ambrojah

Like matcha, I bring something unique to the table. I’m not always appreciated at first glance; an acquired taste that gives a sense of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or “diamond in the rough.” I have moments of eloquence and others when I stumble over words because the neurodivergence can’t contain the excitement. I can give off slightly earthy and be a bit off-putting, and I notice that most of the time, this is because these folks are not comfortable in their skin. No shade, just observation.

Those who stand in their truth often stand out in a world that values conformity over uniqueness. The fact that I won’t accept jobs that have policies on hair styles & color, piercings, or provide adequate mental health benefits is just a few things that I’ve made folks roll their eyes over… and that’s fine.

After having a career where I was valued for what I brought to the table and not the way I looked, I decided long ago that I would not conform - I would not change my aesthetic to fit the mold of someone else’s. I’m in my 30’s - I want to experience my life on my terms while I can enjoy it (God willing).

Pushing the limits of your aesthetic does not have an age limit.

You’ll Wish You Knew Me Before The Hype

Random Fact: Purple Rain by Prince almost didn’t make it to our ears. Thought to be lengthy and unconventional when it came to structure, it was almost cut from the album. But if you know anything about Prince, he’ll fight for his vision… and that he did. Purple Rain is what caused the album monumental success and solidfied Prince’s trajectory as the legendary artist he was.

Thanks Tubi!

As I work on creating a schedule and readjusting my social media intake this week, I’ll leave you with this: I suggest you get your taste buds in order… otherwise, you’ll wish you knew me before the hype. CHA-CHING!

a few quick notes:

If you enjoyed this letter, consider sharing it on your favorite platform or restacking it here on Substack. Wanna donate to the starving creative fund (hardy har-har!)- here’s my Ko-Fi link (never expected but always appreciated).

songs that inspired this week’s newsletter:

ICYMI:

I introduced a new Substack called

Real Blerd Girl Ish

An Ode to Blerd Culture & Hyperfixations. Feel free to show it some love or tag a fellow blerd who would enjoy it!

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You can also view last week’s newsletter - a recap of my family trip and coming down from the vacation high with a soft landing:

1.

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