It goes without saying that there are some nights where your brain stretches past its usual capacity. Maybe it’s daytime, I don’t know. But sometimes only an immediate sensory pleasure is strong enough to calm the incessant itch to do something spontaneously concerning ( read intrusive thoughts). Interruption is the key.
I had one of these moments. Actually several that slowly increased in intensity across the days. It looks similar to a line graph slightly inclining upwards that would make your stakeholders frown but it still showed promise. Except this is bad growth. You don’t want this to be going up.
Luckily, the itch also knew what it wanted as its medicine.
Phase 1: Bath time to candlelight with Meno Home
Nothing quite beats a candle with a glass of wine in a bath followed by a warming cup of tea. Maybe there are some things if you choose to use your imagination to be argumentative. But in this reality we choose to embrace visions of relaxation.
I’ve been on the search for more candles as my lust for that warm amber light has made me burn through several candles in a month. It’s not an addiction mom, I swear.
Luckily, Meno Home has one of the most succulent scented candles I have had the opportunity to light within my humble abode.
Meno Home offers a selection of home goods with a particular merging of modern with the organic. Their core of sustainability is seen in even their simplest offering of the warming presence of a candle. Their Clean Candles are hand-poured with a generous amount of essential oils.
The packaging is entirely made up of up-cycled recyclable materials without glue, tape or plastics. You can already smell the candle’s rich notes without much more than the breeze caused by moving about some mere cardboard.
All candles are 13 oz and weigh 2 lbs, which I need since I go through candles quite frequently these days. (Got to keep those demons at bay.) For those who have access to soil, the top covering of the candle and the note card it arrives with contain wildflower seeds. You can plant them straight into the soil. Something beautiful you can do for the future you.
The cold throw and hot throw for this candle is just mind-blowing. It was light-years better than the perfumes stuffed within a purse to add something nice while I travel through the sewage of NYC pedestrian travel systems.
I placed the candle next to a glass of wine and positioned it carefully on the ledge of a bathtub. I was curious as to whether the candle scent would match a red or white wine better. The answer was, white was fine but a light to medium bodied red worked well, too. No cabs and the bath for me.
For those who don’t already know, be careful drinking in hot water. It affects you a lot faster. A tool to use wisely.
I used my Jasmine and Lavender bath salts from Kesha Janaan to season the bath, which I’m sadly almost out of. Finally, with the candle glowing and the glass within ready reach, my thoughts calmed. Use water to combat fire.
Phase 2: Post-Bath leisure time with Leaves of Leisure
I kept the candle going even after the bath was done. And while the wine had its time, I did switch my beverage of choice. Tea works better than a hug by a bear to solidify that slowdown. That analogy made no sense and that’s okay.
Before absolutely anything else though, if you are following me through this story I recommend this series of actions: change into a robe, move your candle to a nice location by a couch or bed, and grab a nice book.
My mood for tea changes quite frequently but for tonight, I needed cooling for those antagonizing internal thoughts. Peppermint works great for that and also on stomach issues which I happened to be experiencing for several days as well ( I wonder if that’s connected to the mood issues).
Leave of Leisure fits the bill. They not only have the name to contextualize what they do, they also have a wonderful set of teas for every sudden mood you’ll find yourself in such as the fitting Bath Time mixture, Sun Soaked and Snow Angel.
Leaf teas might feel like a lot of work, but these come pre-bagged in individual portions. I would recommend putting two bags in a single mug of water as I found the flavour a little light for my preferences. If you are using a teapot just double the amount to match the larger amount of water.
And did the ritual work…?
This little list of activities got me to wake up the next day with a slightly better outlook on life. That’s progress.
If you are finding yourself in a tough place try this ritual out. You see it on social media all the time. The girls soaking in bubbling bathtubs and reading a book against perfectly tiled walls. Pinterest boards of interior decor you dream about. If you are on Tumblr like me you have your endless scrolling of dreamy aesthetics. ( Yes, it still exists and it’s great there. Quiet with no to low drama. )
This article is an official invitation to do it for yourself. Try a bath, a glass of wine and a candle followed by tea and a book preferably done in a robe.
Looking for an alternative that’s quicker, less relaxing, but still does the job of disliking life less? Instead of wine and a bath, you can have whiskey and a shower. Don’t judge me, we all have our moments.
So, cheers to discovering what yours looks like, romanticizing the details with beautiful things and learning to love yourself in the process.
Until next time~
