And if you found your way here, there’s a good chance something in you is ready for a slower, more honest kind of growth.

Maybe you’re high-functioning on the outside and quietly exhausted on the inside. 

Maybe you’ve been meaning to set that boundary, have that conversation, or just give yourself a little grace, and life keeps getting in the way. 

Maybe you’re not burned out yet, but you can feel yourself getting there.

You’re not behind or lazy.

You’re just human. 

And this is a space that was built with you in mind.

About Steep Awhile

Steep Awhile is a publication about boundaries, burnout, and self-compassion: what it actually looks like to grow without grinding yourself down in the process. Every other week, a new essay is posted. A real, honest piece of writing on something that matters, the kind you might read twice, save, or share with a friend who needs it.

Steeping takes time. Pull too early and nothing has developed. Leave it too long and everything goes bitter. Real growth works the same way. This is a place to slow down just enough to think clearly and take one small step forward.

Tea runs through all of it, not as decoration but as a lens. I’m in training to become a tea sommelier, and the more I learn about tea, the more it keeps teaching me about patience, attention, and the value of slowing down. It belongs here.

About Me

I’m a Wellbeing and Professional Development Coach (ACC, CPTD) based in Memphis, TN, with over 14 years of experience helping adults grow in ways that actually stick. I hold a Master’s degree in Training and Development, and I’ve spent my career at the intersection of learning, coaching, and human performance.

But here’s what the credentials don’t tell you: I’m also someone who has had to learn most of this the hard way. I’ve navigated burnout, people-pleasing, perfectionism and the particular exhaustion that comes from being capable and over-extended at the same time. I write about these things because I’ve lived them, not because I have them figured out. I’m getting little bit better every day, and I’m happy to walk this journey with you.

Outside of this work, I’m a dog mom, a reformer pilates regular, and someone who takes her tea and books very seriously. I believe rest is productive, that self-compassion is a skill worth practicing, and that you don’t have to have it all together to take one step forward.

What You Can Expect Here

Steep Awhile publishes every other week. Each issue is a full essay, one idea explored with care and honesty. Between issues you can find musings on my Threads, Instagram, or Youtube.

All of it is free. If you’d like to support the work financially, you can find out how on the Ways to Support page. But subscribing for free and showing up is more than enough.

Let’s connect.

If something you read here resonates, I’d love to hear about it. Hit reply on any email, leave a comment, or find me on Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, or Youtube at @rachelsherriea.

Welcome to Steep Awhile.