Note # 14 – Treats to Get You Through the Month (June Edition)

My sainted grandmother (or maybe it was Special Agent Dale Cooper on Twin Peaks, I can’t remember for sure now,) but one of them always said, “Every day, give yourself a little present.” I would add that it is especially important to take that advice to heart during challenging times. Like when your report cards are due and there’s no AC in your classroom and 27 sweaty eight year olds are restless and tired and don’t actually want to learn about stupid fractions even though there are still three weeks left in the school year and you’re not completely through all the math curriculum.

Just as an example.  This may not be happening to you, but I’m sure you’ve got your stuff, too.

So, in the spirit of promoting the notion of self-care (and couldn’t we all use a tiny bit more of that?) here are my recommendations for Treats to Get You Through the Month (June edition.)

1.  That book you’re saving for your summer holidays or the cottage?  Read it now.  Get your favourite refreshing beverage, go to a quiet place and escape into the pages for a little while.  If you finish it before your holidays, get yourself another book. Actually, get two.
2. Binge watch an evening of British TV.  If you’re feeling like the world is a terrible place, I recommend any season of The Great British Bake Off  that has Mary Berry in it.  If you need an excuse for a good cry, try Call the Midwife.  Feeling the need for some whimsy?  Doctor Who is a good choice (especially the Matt Smith years – although I recognize that this can be a controversial point.) Can’t wait for the next royal wedding? A few back to back episodes of The Crown will fill that need nicely.  (Oh my God, I could write whole blog posts about Clare Foy.  In fact, I may have to do just do that…)
3. Hollandaise sauce.  On virtually anything, but especially asparagus.
4. Write yourself a kind, supportive note and slip it into your lunch bag or briefcase.  Use a term of endearment for yourself that makes you smile.
5. Listen to an audiobook of your favourite Harry Potter book while you cook or do the washing up. (If you don’t have a favourite Harry Potter book, I don’t even know why you’re here reading this and perhaps you should skip directly to item number seven.)
6. Read excerpts from your favourite Harry Potter book out loud to someone you love.  Do all the voices.
7. Strawberries.  It’s June so I’m pretty sure that it’s the law that you must consume at least half your weight in farm fresh strawberries.  Extra credit if you pick them yourself.  Whipped cream is optional only if you are lactose intolerant.
8. Get up early enough to see the sunrise.  Make yourself coffee and sit outside while the neighbourhood and your household are still sleeping and watch the day come to life.  Meditate, if you do that sort of thing, or if you don’t, just listen to the birds.  It’s almost the same thing.
9. Cupcakes. (I think this is self-explanatory.)
10. Have a themed film festival.  Last year at my house, we did a James Bond festival over the course of several weeks and I do not regret a moment of it because now my Sean Connery impression is really on point.  But maybe you’d like to do an “Oscar Winners Festival,” or a “Films with Women Who Kick Ass Festival,” or maybe even a “Films I Thought Were Great When I Was Seventeen Festival.” Bonus points if you can come up with a theme-related snack that is devoid of any nutritional value whatsoever.

Look, I don’t want to presume to tell you what to do, but I will say this: you matter more than you can possibly know, so you need to take very gentle care of yourself.  So get right on that, would you?

P.

P.S. Tell me in the comments what your go to treats are! I’d love to know…