We love to call it “drive.”
But sometimes what we’re really doing is managing our anxiety with productivity.

In this episode of Taboo Tea, we’re unpacking control disguised as motivation — the kind that looks disciplined on the outside but feels exhausting on the inside. We’re talking about how survival patterns turn into pressure, why motivation is actually an emotion (not a character trait), and how faith can quietly slip into forcing when trust feels unsafe.

This isn’t about doing less.
It’s about loosening your grip.

If you’ve ever felt busy but not at peace…
motivated but secretly panicked…
or like slowing down feels irresponsible —

This cup is for you.

Let's lock in twin!

In this episode, Katie Stafford reflects on her recent return to academia and the unexpected need to slow down. She discusses how this shift has prompted her to reevaluate her goals, recognizing that some of them have become outdated and no longer align with her current life circumstances. Katie emphasizes the importance of letting go of goals that no longer serve us, highlighting that they should support our values and well-being rather than create feelings of exhaustion or resentment. She encourages listeners to ask themselves whether their goals still fit their current capacity and to prioritize alignment over urgency in their pursuits.

Katie also shares insights on the spiritual aspect of goal-setting, suggesting that peace should not be a reward for completion but a guiding force throughout the journey. She invites listeners to reflect on their own goals, urging them to pause and reassess rather than blindly pushing forward. By choosing peace over pressure, Katie believes we can achieve growth with integrity, allowing for a more fulfilling and balanced life.

January comes with pressure to rush, to reinvent yourself, to prove you’re changing.

In this episode, we slow that energy all the way down. We talk about why “new year, new me” often comes from fear instead of clarity, how urgency disguises itself as growth, and why alignment matters more than speed.

This is a gentle invitation to release the pressure, get curious about what’s underneath the rush, and approach growth without punishment. Consider this your permission to start the year honestly, not frantically.