Tea with a Taurus

#209 | Burnout Isn't Coming—It's Already Here. Here's How to Reset

When the noise of life gets loud, how do we stay aligned with the values that guide us? In this episode of Tea with a Taurus, Ashley reflects on a question that sparked a deeper conversation about educator wellbeing. After weeks filled with snow days, testing schedules, field trips, guest speakers, and even a power outage, the constant schedule changes have made it difficult for both teachers and students to stay focused. Ashley explores how context switching and disrupted routines impact our brains—especially for neurodivergent learners—and why it’s so important for educators to take time to reset before burnout takes hold. Through personal reflection and research-backed insights, this episode reminds us that sometimes the best way to show up for others is to first take a breather for ourselves. Whether that means a quiet hike, baking sourdough, or simply stepping away for a moment, finding ways to reset helps us return to our work steadier and more present.

#208 | Is Common Sense Actually Common?

When I saw a campaign sign in town that read “Common Sense and Local Values,” it made me pause. What does common sense actually mean — and is it truly something we all share? In this episode, I explore the idea of common sense through the lens of lived experience, education, and critical thinking. We’ll discuss how judgment is developed, why shared experience isn’t always universal, and how language can sound strong while remaining undefined. This is a thoughtful, steady conversation about leadership, representation, and the importance of asking better questions. Grab your tea and let’s go deeper than the slogan.

#207 | I Can Only Do Three Things Well in a Day

This week I had to tell my son to wait. He’s starting college prep and, like most big life transitions, it comes with forms, deadlines, and decisions. The catch? Every time he needed help, it was right when I was sitting down to write or record. And I realized something important: I can only hold three things well in a day. The fourth one? That’s when I start to unravel. In this episode of Tea with a Taurus, I talk about the quiet guilt of adulthood, the myth of daily balance, and why modern life feels like an equation that never quite adds up. We’ll explore cognitive load, productivity culture, and why “steady” might mean rotation instead of perfection. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin trying to juggle work, creativity, family, movement, and rest — this one is for you. Pour something warm and let’s talk about choosing your three.

#206 | Anti-Brain Rot & the Art of Paying Attention

Are you consuming media… or is it consuming you? In today’s episode of Tea with a Taurus, I share my experience participating in the “Anti Brain Rot Reading Challenge” created by Jananie from the YouTube channel This Story Ain’t Over. While the challenge includes multiple guidelines, my focus has been on two major shifts: • Building consistent, focused reading habits • Widening the range of books and media I consume For years, I was multitasking my entertainment — playing phone games while watching TV, listening to audiobooks while working on embroidery, constantly layering stimulation. It felt productive… but it left me scattered. Now, I’m practicing immersive reading — annotating Wuthering Heights (a book that’s been sitting on my shelf for a decade), journaling my thoughts on YouTube videos and Substack essays, and actively working to reduce doomscrolling. We talk about: – Attention span and overstimulation – Intentional media consumption – Annotating books and forming your own opinions – Critical thinking in a fast-content world – Why depth feels better than speed If you’ve been feeling mentally cluttered or distracted, this episode offers a gentle reset. Choose depth over distraction. Choose steady over scattered. Pour your tea and join me.

#205 | Breaking Generational Cycles: The Fear of Becoming Like Our Parents

In this episode of Tea with a Taurus, we’re talking about a fear many of us quietly carry: What if I become like my parents? After joining a library book club (yes, they read spicy romance 😌) and discussing Lights Out, a theme stood out — the fear of inheriting darkness, addiction, or destructive patterns from family. If you grew up around addiction, emotional instability, anger, or unhealthy coping mechanisms, you may have wondered: * Is addiction hereditary? * Am I destined to repeat generational trauma? * How do I break family cycles? * Can you inherit addictive tendencies? * How do you stop becoming like your parents? In this episode, I share my personal experience growing up with an alcoholic father, my fear of repeating that pattern, and what I’ve learned about awareness, genetics, and choice. We talk about: ✨ Generational trauma ✨ Hereditary addiction ✨ Self-awareness vs. self-criticism ✨ Breaking family patterns ✨ Choosing steady change ✨ Becoming the “cycle breaker” You are not doomed by your bloodline. You are not your past. You are your choices. If you’d like a full book discussion episode, let me know — I’m always happy to spill more tea. ☕ Stay steady. Stay reflective.