The Importance of Afternoon Tea

My recent trip to South Africa -- the trip of a lifetime, as it were -- taught me a lot of things. While some of those things were unexpected, and some were "repeat lessons" as it were, all were valuable. Some came through new and novel experiences, some came through regular, everyday interactions in a new environment, some came courtesy of being in a new routine. The lesson I want to share today falls into this latter category: new routine.

Now, the lesson in question wasn't something I'd not heard before. In fact, I have used this lesson in various forms at various times in my life. What was obvious to me on this trip was that I had lost sight of it and the ways in which it truly allows me to be the best version of me. Crazy, I know.

Anyway, enough with the cryptic, cloaked messages. Here's the lesson: intentional rituals are not simply important but essential to a life well-lived. Let me explain.

When we were on the safari portion of our vacation, one of the experiences nested within the broader safari adventure was that of afternoon tea. Each afternoon, before we headed out for our 2nd drive of the day, we would partake in this lovely experience. A spread of snacks was laid out for us, alongside cool, refreshing beverages (think sweet, natural iced tea infused with fruit and spices). The intention was for each of us to take in some nourishment before we started adventuring. This happened every day.

It was predictable (in cadence). 

It was nourishing.

It was comforting.

It was exactly what was needed. 

There were other moments of nourishment as well, other experiences of pausing, opportunities to intentionally depart from the task at hand, and turn our attention to our physical, mental and emotional needs. All of these moments were the exact gift I needed, not just in the day-to-day of the safari, but also in the reminder of the need to be more intentional and deliberate about tending to my whole self.

You see, I'm really good at tackling a to-do list. 

I'm skilled in my ability to prioritize tasks and get things done. 

I'm proficient at responding to messages from colleagues and clients (usually).  

In other words, I'm quite adept at taking care of needs outside of me. I'm not so good at carving out time to care for myself. Or perhaps, more accurately, I'm not so good -- at least historically speaking -- at maintaining such rituals. 

Intellectually I know better. I know that there's an incredible cost to neglecting my needs, whether they be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. I know that it doesn't serve me well when I let myself fall off the metaphorical wagon, whatever that wagon might be representing.

I. KNOW. THIS. 
But it's one of those crazy things in that the knowledge falls by the wayside when things are going well, and only becomes top of mind when things start to fall apart. Or, as happened on my recent trip, when something outside of me reminds me of how good it is to build ritual into my day. 

Since coming back from South Africa, the ritual that I've chosen to lean into is that of afternoon tea. I've actually made it more of a morning tea AND afternoon tea thing, because I love how it feels to be sipping on tea. I love how it allows me -- actually, it requires me -- to step away from my tasks and focus on me for a minute or two. Even if I end up drinking the tea while I work, the ritual of boiling the water, pouring the water, steeping the tea feels so grounding. 

As I let myself reclaim this particular ritual, I'm asking myself what other rituals I want to include in my life. What other structures might serve to nourish all of me? I've certainly got some ideas and have already started taking action (regular workouts is one). I invite you to join me on the quest for rituals that work.