Cuppa Therapy: How a Tea Cup Became My Best Pre‑Meeting Get‑up
Cuppa Therapy: How a Tea Cup Became My Best Pre‑Meeting Get‑up
By HR‑Coach, P. M.
There’s a certain myth that the most profound self‑care rituals involve the right playlist, a crisp linen set and, crucially, a good, old‑fashioned cuppa. I’ve discovered that the humble tea cup can do more than just keep my hands warm; it can turn a boardroom battle into a comforting, albeit slightly caffeinated, pep‑talk.
I first fell for the theory mid‑March, when the office’s beloved head‑hunter and crumpets‑lover, Mr Baxter, announced that a “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” two‑hour briefing would be held on 2 pm. I was, bless my soul, terrified—no one has ever survived an extended pitch without a quiet moment before the lights go up. My phone had the emergency contacts, my laptop was primed, and my notes were wedged in a binder that looked like a crime scene. Then I remembered the porcelain mug that had earned its nickname “Dr. “Calm‑Down” Cuppa’ for safeguarding the office from morning chaos.
On the day, I lugged it towards the lobby, rehearsing speeches as I went. The act itself was therapeutic. The simple act of pouring the hot water, placing the tea bag between the mug’s lips (yes, that is a thing – think of it as a gentle kiss), and watching the steams rise became a meditative dance. By the time I raised the mug with a dignified tilt, my thoughts had already tightened into tidlists.
Cuppa Picks & Pre‑Meeting Pep Checking
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Choose Your Brew Wisely
Important: No one (yet) has survived a group discussion with a mug of instant chicory. If you’re in doubt, pick a robust Earl Grey or a green tea that promises calm and focus. A hint of citrus and you won’t end up feeling wilted by the hour. -
Mind the Size
A mug that’s half full is way more polite than a tiny porcelain cup‑glass that threatens to spill. Your parasympathetic system will thank you. -
The Cuppa Conversation
Start a tongue‑in‑cheek monologue. “Okay, Cuppa, what’s the agenda? I need you to anchor me against the group’s general inanities.” It’s surprisingly effective to talk yourself out of pre‑meeting panic; a cup has no judgment. -
The “Steep & Speak” Routine
Fancy a round of “steep‑and‑speak” wherein you let the tea steep for 3 minutes, toggle a small stapler to the counter and ask your index finger for an explanation of the first 5 minutes of the meeting. The act is absurd, but importantly, it gets you talking about the process beforehand. -
The Silent Thank‑You
As the tea cools, wrap your hands around the mug steering your thoughts towards gratitude— thank the kettle, thank the oat‑milk, thank the mysterious Insta‑automation that reminded you to take a breather. When you stand to leave, feeling slightly zen, you’re literally “pre‑meeting ready”.
The Lesson
The ceremonial cup offers an elegant form of anticipation therapy: by the time you step into the meeting room, the stress has been voluntarily stewed into the tea. You’re no longer a jittery A‑theatre nerd but a calm, confident trader of idiosyncrasies.
Next time your boss drops a surprise meeting, remember: the kettle is ready, the tea bags are pre‑spooled, and your loyal mug awaits the ritual. Because quite frankly—when the global economy gives you a jolt—you should be in the room, coffee in hand, waves poised, with a cup that’s been there for the first five minutes of your life: you—cup, you can do this.
That, dear reader, is the very essence of cuppa therapy.
