Self-care #1 – Drink an Herbal Tea
*AN: I wrote this nearly two years ago when I first started planning this series, but my opinion about tea still stands! *
Self-care.
Instantly it brings to mind cups of tea, yoga in the early morning mist, dried flower bouquets, and cute tote bags extolling it’s virtues.
But what is it really?
Oxford dictionary defines self-care as:
‘The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress‘
Well. Not quite what I thought of self-care, but I love this definition! Self-care isn’t passive, a case of just saying no and not doing anything, but actively doing the things you need to in order to recharge, reset and thrive.
It is also very personal, with everyone having different needs and preferences when it comes to what self-care acts work, and what is pleasant but doesn’t really float their emotional boat. Like, baths. Enjoy them? Bit meh about them? Don’t mind them but hate the bath bombs and salts that people throw in them?
Enter 50 self care ideas for a bad day.
My goal is to try a new idea every week and found out what works for me, and what doesn’t, and create a go-to list that I can fall back on when I need. And maybe give you some ideas to try as well 🙂
With all that being said, the first item is….
- Drink herbal tea
Huh
To say that I’m not a tea drinker is putting it mildly. I can barely get past the smell (shudders at just the memory) enough to get it icky brown liquid into my mouth but once it’s there I just can’t swallow the stuff.
Actually, that’s a lie.
There have been 2 occasions in my life where I was served tea and it would have been extremely rude not to drink it. In those cases I sculled them as quick as I could and then ever so politely and empathically refused the offer for a refill.
Thus I have proved that I can physically swallow it. But would I find herbal tea relaxing?
Surprise answer: yes.
And yet, no
The process making the tea was really enjoyable. I used a loose blend from the Tea Crowd, called Lady Bloom. (Jodi mixes all her blends by hand, which the idea of someone creating little cups of magic with a pinch of this, a dash of that, throw in some dried flowers, that just makes it just much more special *insert heart eyes emoji*)
After playing with the tea blend for a while (what? Don’t judge, it’s fun!), I finally settled on the couch and just enjoyed holding the mug between my hands, letting the warmth soak in. Sniffing delicately at the fragrant steam, enjoying the perfumed aroma tremendously… until I went to take a sip. Then the smell of hibiscus, rose and elderflower turned my stomach and I just could not do it.
Isn’t the brain a funny thing? A split second was enough to turn it from enjoyable to yeah nah. That’s not happening.
Apart from that slight hiccup of not being able to actually drink it, I think the end result was the same. It was the time spent sitting, mind lazily drifting form thought to thought with the occasional sniff of the tea I was still holding, that was quite relaxing.
Would I do it again?
Probably not, it seems like a waste of perfectly good tea. I’d rather give it to someone who would appreciate it and stick to my crocheting instead.
Try it, then let me know if tea works it’s wonders for you x
