❤️ 🍵 Tea’s Recommendations 🍵 ❤️ [November 2022] [Things I Like That You Might Like Too]

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:✨

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself:

Full disclosure: I’ve only seen the first episode of this, but holy moly is it an instant sucker-in-er! We got magic and witches and satanic cults and characters you both despise and adore. If you love a series that incorporates fantasy into the modern world, this will be a great one to tuck-into. Also, just because October is over doesn’t mean autumn has finished. Watch this with a hot chocolate and some ghost marshmallows. Self-care is in the everyday things we do to promote wellbeing. And I think hot coco and witchy shit qualifies :)

The Sandman:

Okay, there’s a theme here. I have, again, only seen the first episode of this (girl’s been busy), but this has everything a little nerd like me could want. We got Charles Dance, flawed but human characters, magic and mythical stuff flying around, and a very mysterious protagonist. It’s all here for the taking, folks. It’s also a great one for people, who like myself, like scary stuff on the more fantastical side.

✨Books:✨

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami

This is one of those stories that is so simple, so sparing in its language that you’re all the more impressed at how brilliantly it captures everyday joy and sadness. This is a very simple, but engaging story of two bullied teenagers who slowly develop a friendship. Unafraid to explore the darker ramifications of bullying, isolation and loneliness, the story tackles the uncomfortable grey of humans with skill and respect.

The Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Lonely witches, psychotic children, and overwhelmed gay dads. This is a unique and refreshing take on witchcraft and magic in general. If you love a lonely, but perfectly agreeable protagonist, swearing children, and a hidden house in the woods, this might be right up your chimney!

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

The return of a daughter, small town murders, and a family so poisonous they think they’re medicinal. This is genuinely one of my favourite books ever. I’ve always had an on-and-off relationship with books. Whenever I’m feeling mentally well, I try to read as much as I can, because I actually find I can read and enjoy the experience. However, when I’m not doing so hot, I tend to find reading far too daunting a prospect, and instead listen to audiobooks.

Sharp Objects was one book I read many years ago that got me out of a bad headspace and into a story. Whilst it’s a murder mystery, rife with family trauma and shame, it’s also the story of a young woman’s perseverance and survival. Unsettling, uncomfortable, but still resolute in the power of hope and moving forward. Perfect for anyone who struggles with their family, the past, and how to separate them from the now.

✨Activities:✨

Evening Walk After Work:

As some people may or may not know, I have two dogs. They’re big ladies and they need a lot of exercise. I used to get up very early to give them both one hour slots where we’d walk individually up and down the fields. As you can imagine, two hours tearing up and down muddy fields was quite exhausting and actually made me feel very guilty for not getting to work sooner. However, recently I’ve decided to make the walks shorter, and divide them into morning and evening. So, after work, I switch off my computer, put on my boots and walk my dogs slowly and gently. This is a really good mindfulness exercise because it says to your brain “work has finished, go outside, breathe in the air, and when you come back, it’s officially chill time.” Obviously, sometimes I walk them longer in the morning, because my brain falls into old habits, but mostly, I’ve stuck to half an hour each in the morning and half an hour each after work (plus playtime in the garden).

People say that exercise is good for your mental health. I used to scoff at that a lot. I think the reason is because, like anything else, it’s not an instant fix. You don’t go for a walk or run on a treadmill and suddenly you’re not depressed. It’s more about getting out of your head, feeling sensations (crisp leaves, the cold air, your heart pumping harder) and just being as present and alive as my two mucky puppies. Seriously… I could learn a lot from those two.

So, maybe give it a try. When you’ve finished work, go for a walk, look at stuff, wiggle your fingers in the cold.

Do Something Creative:

I’m not talking about a masterpiece. I’m talking about something small that’ll bring you joy. Bake cookies, fill in a scrap book, leave someone an enthusiastic review, tidy your workspace, paint your nails, dye your hair, try a new fashion style. Do something soft and gentle and soothing for you. You are worth it. You will benefit from the time and attention you put into yourself.

Keep at Your Goal:

Whether you’re working towards a Lego Death Star, getting back into your skinny jeans, or training for that 10K race, please don’t give up. You can do this. Slowly, but surely. It’s okay to have setbacks. They will happen. It’s okay to feel frustrated. That’s gonna happen. It’s okay to be human, just keep going :)

✨Music:✨

I’d Rather Be Burned as a Witch - Eartha Kit

The Boogie Man - The Cadillacs

Lil Red Riding Hood - Sam The Sham & The Pharahos

I Didn’t Know the Gun Was Loaded - The Andrew Sisters

Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra

Unholy - Sam Smith (feat. Kim Petras)

ZITTI E BUONI - Måneskin

W.I.T.C.H - Devon Cole

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

All the best,

Tea