Svetlana’s May Edit: A Return to Stillness

“In May, the world begins to bloom again—gently, gradually, without demand. I follow its lead.”

Each May, I feel a shift—not just in the light or the temperature, but in my body’s intelligence. It asks for less. It craves purity. It becomes more sensitive to pace, to nourishment, to what’s unnecessary.

This is the month I return to essentialism. The kind that is rooted not in discipline, but in reverence. For the skin, for the body, for the intelligence of botanicals and the ancestral patterns of healing. My rituals this month reflect that rhythm.

Here is my May Edit—what I’m using, sipping, eating, and returning to.

Skincare: Botanical Minimalism

As the seasons shift, so does the skin’s need. In spring and early summer, my focus is on circulation, hydration without weight, and gentle renewal.

• Balancing Oil Cleanser
  I begin and end each day with this. Its emulsifying oil complex lifts impurities without disrupting the skin’s microbiome. It’s a reset button for the face, and a sensory anchor. Find it here. 

• Renewing Polish
  Once or twice a week, I exfoliate with our micro-exfoliating blend of rice enzymes and raw cacao. This not only clears away cellular buildup but also oxygenates the skin—encouraging natural glow without aggression. Find it here. 

• Minimalist Serum Foundation
  On days when I want breathable coverage, this is all I wear. It fuses skincare and pigment—allowing my skin to reflect light, not hide beneath it. Find it here. 

These few formulas, when used with ritual and regularity, offer everything I need.

Inside the Kitchen: Eating as Ceremony

Minimalism in food is not about austerity. It is about honoring the function of food—what it offers to our cells, hormones, and energy.

My meals are deeply rooted in both Eastern European folk wisdom and the Far Eastern herbal traditions I grew up with in the Russian Far East. They are simple, seasonal, and precise.

Morning Nourishment

• Buckwheat porridge with a drizzle of raw honey and a few soaked Goji berries. Buckwheat is a prebiotic-rich pseudo-grain with high magnesium and manganese content—ideal for hormonal and neurological support. Goji berries nourish the liver and blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• Schisandra berry infusion, brewed warm. This fruit is called the “five-flavor berry” for a reason—it stimulates all five organ systems and offers adaptogenic resilience throughout the day.

Midday Simplicity

• Steamed asparagus with cold-pressed olive oil and lemon zest. Asparagus is a natural diuretic and liver tonic. The bitter notes engage digestion and liver function—a forgotten aspect of nourishment in the modern world.

• A side of soft-boiled eggs or wild-caught sardines—rich in choline, healthy fats, and bioavailable B12.

Evening Grounding

• Wild salmon, roasted with sea salt and fresh dill. Dill is a carminative herb that aids digestion and balances the heaviness of the fish.

• A side of fermented vegetables—sauerkraut, pickled beets, or carrots with garlic. Fermentation makes nutrients more bioavailable and introduces beneficial bacteria that support the gut-skin axis.

The Medicine Pantry: Gressa Chay

In the evenings, when the house is quiet and the light fades, I prepare a cup of Gressa Chay. It is not just tea—it is a botanical formulation designed to restore equilibrium.

This blend brings together time-honored herbs that support the nervous system, hormonal balance, and internal luminosity:

• Schisandra: An adaptogen used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to support liver function, cognitive clarity, and adrenal resilience.

• Ashwagandha: A grounding Ayurvedic root known to modulate cortisol and reduce stress-related fatigue.

• Chamomile, Lemon Balm & Jasmine: Nervines that calm and soothe the nervous system—ideal for transition into sleep.

• Hibiscus & Rosehips: Antioxidant-rich and supportive of vascular and skin health.

• Red Clover: Traditionally used to gently support estrogen metabolism and hormonal clarity.

• Damiana, Nettle, Peppermint, Orange Peel, and Rose Petals: Each adds their own layer—some for mood, some for circulation, some for mineral replenishment. Together, they create a full-spectrum tonic for the body and mind.

All ingredients are 100% organically sourced, just as they should be.

To prepare, I steep a heaping spoonful in freshly boiled water, cover it to protect the delicate volatile oils, and inhale as much as I sip. It is my ritual of surrender—one of the most powerful medicines I know.

Other May Rituals

• Foot soaks with thyme and chamomile, a village tradition I still practice. Warm water, fragrant herbs, and the sensation of heat pulling tension down and out of the body.

• Dry brushing in the mornings, followed by a cold rinse, to stimulate lymph and sharpen the mind. I follow this up with body tapping to aid lymph drainage. 

• Silence in the first hour of the day. No phone, no news, no conversation. Just listening—first to myself, then the world.

In Closing

This month is not about doing more. It is about tuning in. To nature. To your skin. To what your body truly asks for—when you actually listen.

I hope this edit inspires you to return to your own rituals. To find beauty in simplicity, in science, and in tradition.

With love,
Svetlana
Founder, Gressa