Most of the time, I find myself either living in the future— planning, worrying, thinking about my next fifteen steps— or living in the past by replaying things that have happened over, and over, and over again. This makes sense, as I am in the middle of writing a memoir and I have to be in my head to do that.

But doing both of those things takes me away from the present, and it’s a surprising amount of the time away from the present.

I make tea every day, so I’ve started doing this bit of mindfulness while I make my morning cup. It’s a moment that happens every day, when I know that I can stop the hamster wheel in my head. And it’s very small, so it never feels overwhelming.

For the three minutes that it takes your tea to steep (insert coffee, or a smoothie, or whatever you make in the morning), make a practice of being present for the entire process.

Here’s how:

From the time that the water finishes heating, bring your focus to your senses. 

Hear the kettle click over into done. Feel the spoon between your fingers as you scoop the tea leaves. Hear the little crunch as they fall into your infuser.

Pour the hot water over the leaves. See the water take over the leaves and see the steam rise. Lean over, smell the earthy steam that comes from steeping tea leaves. 

Then set your timer. After that, just be present.

Maybe do a meditation where you say now now now in your head. Or go through your senses, notice what you’re hearing, smelling, seeing, feeling, tasting.

Be as present as you can.

(My mind always wanders, even in the three minute steep time. When I notice that I’ve slipped into the past or future, I just bring it back to the present.)

If your five-year-old says, “Mama, look!” from the kitchen table, don’t give him an ignoring, “Mmm hmmm.” Give him your complete attention. You are here in this moment, and in this moment, he wants to show you the talking globe he got for Christmas.

Try not to anticipate the timer. The timer is not beeping now. You’re not waiting for the timer. You’re not waiting, period. You’re being. Don’t play the beep in your head, wishing it would happen faster. (This is so hard for me.)

Be in each moment, until the moment is the beeping. And then take the infuser out. And drink your tea.

Cheers,
Alexa