❤️ 🍵 Tea’s Recommendations 🍵 ❤️ [November 2023] [Things I Like That You Might Like Too] (Patreon)

Hello!

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 ❤️

Movies/Series:

Ted Lasso:

A show about football that actually engages me? Well, yes, but it’s not so much about football as it is about people.

Ted Lasso (an American soccer coach) is hired to manage an English football team. On paper it doesn’t seem all that much, but the playful tone and wholesome dialogue provide a much needed respite from intense dramas and horrific real world events.

It’s also wonderful to watch a show with a predominantly male cast, operating in a very masculine field, who (for the most part) are actively kind and openly affectionate with one another. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, men and women are at their best when they reject the idea that they are in competition with each other. We love men supporting and loving men! Highly recommend.

P.S. I haven’t watched anything else lately… that’s how good it is.

✨Music:✨

It Is What It Is - Jenna Raine

Easy Lover - Phillip Bailey, Phil Collins

You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth - Meatloaf

Tale of the Shadow - Sail North

Word Up! - Korn

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid - The Beaches

The Bitch is Back - Elton John

Dregnr of Ragnarok - Peyton Parrish, Jonathan Young

✨Activities:✨

Tell People the Truth (Even If It’s Not Comfy):

To quote the random video I found the other day: ‘choose discomfort over resentment’. I’ve recently made a conscious effort to be a lot more authentic. Call it perspective or burnout or whatever else, I just don’t see the point in pleasing others whilst stifling myself. That doesn’t mean I’m the most important person in the world, or even in my small sphere, it just means I matter and there’s no prize for being a martyr.

Be you, say when you don’t like something, and above all else, remember that we’re all just tiny specks on a rock floating in space. It doesn’t matter if you don’t go to someone’s party. It just doesn’t. I mean try not to be a dick about it, but also know it’s perfectly valid to spend your fleeting life as you see fit.

Neutral Expectations:

Whether you’re an optimist, pessimist or a bit of a flip-flopper, expectations can be a motherfucker to us all. As such, I’ve tried to make a bit of a tonic for them.

I’ve found having a neutral stance on things has helped me greatly, especially when it comes to people and events.

So, instead of 'I hope I have a good time seeing Stevie. I’m so tired and it’s been ages. I want us to talk without it being awkward’, I’m trying to think ‘I’m going to Stevie’s house. I’ll pick up some snacks.’

It might seem inconsequential, but I’ve found letting things play out with no set idea of what will happen actually makes me feel like I’m living instead of playing mental kick-me-up. Instead of bolstering myself up, trying with all my might to get it right, be right, look right - I just kinda am.

I’m not trying to micromanage or predict how I or others might feel, I’m going in without much inner monologue. It might not work for everyone, but I find letting go of expectations really calming. I don’t always have to aim for having the ‘best time’. I can just be and live and whatever happens, happens. I honestly look to my dogs for a lot of guidance on how to be. To me, they look like they’re doing a pretty good job.

Remember that the Internet is Run by Bots & Corporations:

Most of the comments of social media, YT videos and Twitter are bots. Big corporations and countries want us all at war with each other so they can continue their evil without much protest. Yes, there are genuine human trolls too, but just remember that a lot of what you see isn’t real. Having a cuppa with your mum is real, hugging your friend is real, changing your sheets and feeling calm and safe in your bed is real.

Don’ be consumed with the garbage. Quite literally, touch grass, take a shower and pull yourself away from the hate. It’s not worth it.

Stop Trying to be Perfect:

Shockingly, I’m not perfect. I’m flawed as fuck, mentally ill, and even a little dusty-looking, and yet, I’m still loved. My mum loves me, my siblings love me, my friends and most thankfully my puppies too.

I’m never gonna be perfect. You’re never gonna be perfect, none of us are. That doesn’t mean you’re not good. Being good is not only enough, it’s amazing. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to achieve something unattainable.

By all means, work hard, have goals, but recognise that you are a sentient flesh-lump on a rock with other sentient flesh-lumps. Try not to be a dick, be kind when you can, and just fucking live - you're an animal, be one. No raping, killing kids or taking over other people's prides, though. Lions do that, don't do that.