Often, it’s the rituals in our lives that bring us the most comfort, that pull us back from the edge, be that edge of despair, loneliness, frustration, hopelessness, or exhaustion. We create rituals to hold us like arms, to wrap us in familiarity and warmth. A cup of tea, a hot bath on a cold day, music, reading, watching a great movie or, in the case of my wife, baking, and baking some more. The rituals we create, end up becoming so much more than just the simple act itself, they become escapes from the noise and clatter of our lives. Tea, for me, is and always has been this. Whether we’re home or abroad, whether it’s Winter or the hottest peak of Summer, I reach for tea and it calms me, it settles me, it brings me back to myself. What are your rituals? What work best for you?
Tea as well! And stretching or walking my dogs. What are your go-to favorite teas? I've been discovering more with a tea subscription box lately, but Earl Grey will always be my #1.
Living with GAD, I have many comforting rituals to help ease the anxiety...Definitely a hot bath with the necessary bubbles, staring out the window and bird watching (they’re beautiful), jumping in the car with my dog and just driving to good music, cooking my favorite childhood meal, or watching one of my favorite horror movies or a movie so beautiful I know it will bring me to tears.
2 morning rituals: 1) carefully craft my morning coffee in my chemex, impatiently patient for it to drip into my veins, warm my bones and hug my soul as I catch up on my poetry news, 2) fueled, inspired and accompanied by my favorite playlists I head to my yoga mat to create my daily practice
For a living(and my passion!) I am a wine buyer. So I taste, study, educate, and explore all aspects of wine daily. If I had the ability to live a second life, I would devote part of it to the study of tea. Something about the magic one tiny cup can hold, calls to me. My favorite escape is sitting in my reading nook with a good book, a great blanket, a slew of candles, and a steaming pot of tea, sometimes sweetened with the perfect honey (another passion of mine!) And Walkers shortbread biscuits, if I’m particularly in need of pampering. If it’s a broody rain soaked day, all the better.
Similar to yours, coffee is my safe place. The taste of it, the smell of it. If I'm anywhere in the world feeling unsafe and I smell coffee, or see a little coffee shop, it will instantly bring me back to myself. I also love rooting: walking barefoot on the earth.
It's always been music for me. My mom used to ask me why I always had music on, why I could never just have a quiet moment. Which, I admit, confused me because I inherited her love of it. Whenever my thoughts get so loud my brain overloads, or when I feel like my skin can barely contain all of these emotions, there are two songs I go to - #41 (live at Luther College 1991) by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds and Nothing More Than That by The Paper Kites. Just hearing the guitar chases everything away, if only for a moment.
Tea as well! And stretching or walking my dogs. What are your go-to favorite teas? I've been discovering more with a tea subscription box lately, but Earl Grey will always be my #1.
I love curling up with a good book and getting lost in another world, or another time. I also love tea 💛
A long hot meditating shower. Burn some incense & cleanse whatever is bothering me.
Living with GAD, I have many comforting rituals to help ease the anxiety...Definitely a hot bath with the necessary bubbles, staring out the window and bird watching (they’re beautiful), jumping in the car with my dog and just driving to good music, cooking my favorite childhood meal, or watching one of my favorite horror movies or a movie so beautiful I know it will bring me to tears.
2 morning rituals: 1) carefully craft my morning coffee in my chemex, impatiently patient for it to drip into my veins, warm my bones and hug my soul as I catch up on my poetry news, 2) fueled, inspired and accompanied by my favorite playlists I head to my yoga mat to create my daily practice
Mornings are my fav 💚
French-press coffee with a dash of cinnamon and vanilla extract in the morning before turning on my phone.
Give me a glass of wine, the stars in my telescope, and music. Always music. (Gregory Alan Isakov is my go-to, always!)
For a living(and my passion!) I am a wine buyer. So I taste, study, educate, and explore all aspects of wine daily. If I had the ability to live a second life, I would devote part of it to the study of tea. Something about the magic one tiny cup can hold, calls to me. My favorite escape is sitting in my reading nook with a good book, a great blanket, a slew of candles, and a steaming pot of tea, sometimes sweetened with the perfect honey (another passion of mine!) And Walkers shortbread biscuits, if I’m particularly in need of pampering. If it’s a broody rain soaked day, all the better.
Similar to yours, coffee is my safe place. The taste of it, the smell of it. If I'm anywhere in the world feeling unsafe and I smell coffee, or see a little coffee shop, it will instantly bring me back to myself. I also love rooting: walking barefoot on the earth.
It's always been music for me. My mom used to ask me why I always had music on, why I could never just have a quiet moment. Which, I admit, confused me because I inherited her love of it. Whenever my thoughts get so loud my brain overloads, or when I feel like my skin can barely contain all of these emotions, there are two songs I go to - #41 (live at Luther College 1991) by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds and Nothing More Than That by The Paper Kites. Just hearing the guitar chases everything away, if only for a moment.