❤️ 🍵 Tea’s Recommendations 🍵 ❤️ [September 2022] [Things I Like That You Might Like Too] (Patreon)

Yo, Teacups!

If you haven’t seen one of these posts before, this is just what it says on the tin - a recommendations post. Sometimes I get caught in a cycle of the same movies, books, activities, and whatever else. If you also suffer from this, I hope this small collection of recommendations can be of some help.

P.S. These are obviously just things I like and if you don’t like them too, then that’s absolutely a-okay ❤️

✨Series:✨

House of the Dragon:

Guys, I don’t know if you know, but there’s this tiny, obscure, barely-known little dragon show! Oh okay, you’ve heard of it! It’s a heckin’ Game of Thrones Prequel! This beautiful and grand series has started with all the promise of the first three GOT seasons. So far, so very, very good. Beautiful acting, intriguing dialogue, and lots and lots of fantasy nerd-ness! Get stuck in! Bring popcorn :)

Gavin & Stacey:

If you love British humour, you will ADORE this slice-of-life gem! Gavin and Stacey follows a cast of loveable, charmingly dysfunctional characters as they navigate the blending of their two families. This was my ultimate comfort watch at university. My friend got me into it, and whenever I feel sad, I can watch this and feel safe, warm and have a cheeky little goblin chuckle.

Anne with An E:

Fall is coming. Fall is coming. Fall is coming! So, there’s only one thing to do: brew a mug of tea and watch Anne with An E. Based on the beloved book series “Anne of Green Gables”, the show follows young orphan Anne as she desperately searches for home, family and friends. Full of beautiful scenery, compelling acting, and a lot of really poignant issues that are as relevant now as they were in the story’s time period.

My Mad Fat Diary:

Want a show that understands mental illness? Then you need My Mad Fat Diary. The teenagers look like teenagers, the teenagers behave like teenagers, and their issues do not make them sexy, they make them complicated, a little pathetic, and truly, painfully relatable. Please, please consider giving this one a go. It made me cry in such a good way. Also, it’s one of the best depictions of psychotherapy I’ve ever seen. No glamour, no out-of-place sexualisation, just the harsh, uncomfortable reality of being a person.

✨Activities:✨

Start Eating Healthy:

In the past, I’ve often thought of self-care as eating a huge pizza and a tub of ice-cream whenever I felt sad. And the truth is, sometimes that can be self-care. It’s perfectly fine to eat pizza and ice-cream. However, after going to therapy, being honest about how I actually feel, I now believe that self-care is eating well, exercising, and practising everything in moderation.

Please know I’m not here to preach. I don’t wanna tell you how to live your life. I don’t know what you’re going through, and I know for sure that in the past I’ve rolled my eyes at the idea of consistently working out and eating veggies.

But this is probably the first time in my adult life that I’m actually practicing self-care. I’m not just buying a candle or taking a selfie. Which are totally valid things to do, by the way, just not substitutes for consistent mental and physical care. I’m treating myself with care and consideration - because that’s what I actually need.

In the past, whenever I got sad I would either binge or starve - feast or famine. All or nothing. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that I want a much more balanced and simply better relationship with food. I don’t want my coping mechanism to be either depriving myself or eating 5000 calories. I want to look after my body and my mind. Most of all, I want to actually be kind to myself. And for me, personally, I think regular exercise and healthy eating are a great start.

But, honestly, you do you. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. If you’re happy with your eating and exercise habits, then that’s nobody else’s business. I am just a moron on the internet. Take everything I say with a pinch of “well, she’s not a doctor” :)

Podcast & Walk/Exercise:

You know what makes doing something you don’t wanna do easier? Combining it with something you do wanna do! Whilst exercising is good for me, it’s truly not my favourite thing to do. So, to combat this, I accompany it with things I do like to do. For example, I listen to podcasts, watch TV shows, even text my friends, all whilst swinging a hoop around my waist. For me, the distraction (the thing I actually like) is the only way I can fathomably do the exercise. If I ain’t pacified like the six-year-old I am, I ain’t hooping.

Clean Out Your Closet:

I don’t know about anyone else, but my closet gets chaotic. I mean to keep it in check. I mean to hang up that jacket, fold those jeans, throw out those socks with the hole in them. I do. I really… partly do. But often times, other things happen. So, if you wanna feel more organised and accomplished - try tackling that chaos. Sorting through old clothes, putting them in order, even rehoming or throwing out your stuff can make your closet (and subsequently, your headspace) a lot easier to navigate.

Take a Nap:

I am new to napping. I have never been a napper, despite any inference you could make from my content - it’s just never been my thing. However, you are never too old to try lying down in the dark and resting your head. And guys, I think I’m getting pretty good at it.

Often times, I don’t even sleep, I just close my eyes, listen to some ambience videos, light a candle and just take some time to do absolutely nothing. Life is fast, demanding - and I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it - very overwhelming. Taking just a little bit of time to be quiet and rest can be beneficial, wholesome, and let’s face it, fun! Also, it’s free, and in these times of rising costs, it’s good to limit our spending :)

And that’s my humble offer, guys. Stay safe, drink water and get some rest.

All the best,

Tea