16 Mar 2015

the mindful day: taking tea


Lately I've been taking my tea outside on the back deck; it's cool and quiet there. Usually English Breakfast with honey or mint fresh from the garden. And perhaps a little something sweet to eat. It's that small window of time with both my youngest babes sleeping that I'm enforcing some self care on myself.

Neglecting the nappy folding, the lunch (and sometimes breakfast) dishes I'm choosing these quiet few moments first. Propelled by some unforeseen notion of domestic duty I would usually soldier on until all the tasks were done. Wouldn't the list of to do's with jaunty ticks leave me feeling accomplished? Surely I'd savour the serenity all the more. But inevitably someone would wake the second I placed the kettle on the stove and the daily dance would resume, the precious moments of alone time gone.

So now, with my eyes resting on green, growing things and my ears filled with not much more than birdsong, I'm putting my tea break at the top of the list. A few solitary moments in a day to recharge and regroup...or to simply sit down. A small act of mindfulness where I lower and relax my shoulders, gently direct my attention to the taste and warmth of the tea and gaze at nature's colour palette. The rules are simple - no phone and no computer,  just tea and stillness.


14 comments:

  1. That sounds like heaven. It can be so easy to get caught up in life that we forget to stop, pause and remember what it is all about.

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  2. I think that housework can always wait- keep enjoying that tea while those babies sleep. That photo looks so peaceful x

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    1. I've coming to realise that housework never ends so I need to snatch these moments when I can. Hope all is lovely with you xx

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  3. Yes, to this. A little quiet time with tea is so important for us mamas :) Love that mug. Enjoy!

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    1. Taking time to ground ourselves and stop spinning for a minute is so important isn't it. And my beautiful cup is a favourite handmade treasure, I adore it. xx

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  4. LOVE this. I was just thinking how long it had been since I had read anything other than the weekly pictures - and here you are with this beautiful pause.

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    1. Thanks lovely Jennifer! I'm finding my rhythm with writing and creating now that my littlest is finding rhythms of her own. I'm so looking forward to being in this space more often. Hope your week is a lovely one. xx

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  5. So inspiring............

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  6. I love everything about this! I've been pondering the importance of small rituals such as drinking tea on my blog. Especially important for us mamas of little ones. You captured this idea beautifully. Thank you! xx

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    1. What lovely words. Thank-you! I'm really trying to find little moments to nourish myself and anything that involves tea is a winner with me. Hope your week is a beautiful one xx

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  7. I'm fond of taking time for tea myself :-)

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  8. A beautiful post Steph, My post-lunch quiet cup of tea is something I hold on to protectively... my little moment in the day to pause and just be xx

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x