The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily [encore] 1332: Tea by Leila Chatti
5 snips
Dec 9, 2025 In a heartfelt exploration, the discussion centers on rethinking self-care as a practice of respect and tenderness towards oneself. A poignant reading of Leila Chatti’s poem 'Tea' emphasizes the warmth and ritual of making tea five times a day as an act of self-kindness. The poem intertwines themes of identity, cultural roots, and resilience against colonial suppression. Ultimately, it celebrates how small, repeated practices can bring joy and aid survival.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Self-Care As Sacred Ritual
- Maggie reframes self-care as giving yourself the same respect, tenderness, and grace you offer others.
- She suggests self-directed kindness can function like a sacred ritual or prayer.
Tea As Daily Self-Reminder
- Leila Chatti's poem describes making tea five times a day as an act of self-directed kindness.
- She uses the warmth in her hands and small rituals to remind herself she exists and matters.
Noticing The Body As Devotion
- The poem links bodily attention to spiritual practice, noting feet, stomach, and heart as points of noticing.
- Caring for the self becomes a deliberate devotional gesture toward what we may not always love.