Tea time for the soul: “Take a few minutes to ‘restart’ and come alive again!” Interview with Kristen Helmstetter

"Treat yourself to a moment in the afternoon just for yourself, become aware of your amazing abilities and your worth. Positive 'self-talk' has a wonderful power: the more often I say something to myself, the more I believe in it, and the more I believe in it, the more I put it into practice. We can believe in ourselves because we are worthy of joy, success and happiness, but so many don't really feel that (yet)." Kristen Helmstetter , author of the book " Tea Time for the Soul ", has experienced the wonderful effect of "self-talk" first hand and sees it as a simple way to steer your life in the right direction and make it "magical".

“Tea Time for the Soul” is the fourth book in your successful Self-Talk series. What is it about this time and who is the book particularly intended to inspire?

Kristen Helmstetter: It's about taking a few minutes in the afternoon, when most people are tired, anxious or exhausted, and rebooting. Giving yourself a moment to recognize your amazing abilities, your worth and your accomplishments. We need these daily downtimes because otherwise we often get swept up in the hustle and bustle of life and the tasks at hand. But when we take a moment to recharge, we come alive again and remember our purpose and our true goals. That's what keeps us on the path to living a magical life.

Looking at your life, you seem to have achieved everything you could wish for. But it wasn't always like that. What finally led you to live a "magical" life?

Kristen: I came from a background of fear, stress and sadness and I grew tired of it. I knew deep in my soul that there had to be a better way to live. But knowing this and doing something about it are two different things. I wanted to find a simple way to make a change and find more joy. By approaching each day with positive thoughts and affirmations, I was able to put my daily life on the path to a magical life.

The recommendation to think positively or optimistically may sound simple, but this way of thinking must be put into practice to be effective. How can you use the positive power of self-talk for yourself?

Kristen: I get up and do it. I'm relentless about it. I make it a point. I schedule it. I say my affirmations every day, even when I don't feel like it. In the beginning, it's all about repetition! It helped me feel more in control of my day. It increased my belief in myself and what I was saying. And then I started behaving the way I envisioned in my affirmations. It's life-changing.

The afternoon cup of tea is a tradition known in many cultures. Why has tea drinking gained such importance and what does "tea time" mean in your life?

Kristen: Tea time is sacred around the world, and I started this ritual because I knew it was already powerful for others. By taking a few minutes each afternoon to relax and rest, I found that my confidence and energy were boosted. My tea time gave me a boost so I could tackle the rest of the day with more ease and peace.

Just as important as established habits and ceremonies are the content of self-talk, because excessive criticism and bad thoughts can be harmful. How can you prevent the inner dialogue from turning against your own life?

Kristen: Negativity is everywhere... if you look for it. I've set up my life to minimize it, but that doesn't mean negativity doesn't creep in sometimes. The difference between me now and five years ago is that I notice it immediately and can change course. And I do that by simply using my affirmations. The daily tea time is so powerful because it brings those incredible thoughts and words to the forefront so you have them right there when you need them. Like when you're having a bad day!

At one point you write that everything “that you say and feel about yourself and your life becomes your truth.” How is this different from mere whitewashing or even self-deception?

Kristen: The more I say something to myself, the more I believe it, and the more I believe it, the more I act on it. It's not about wishing or sugarcoating anything. It's about believing in ourselves because we are worthy of joy, success, and happiness, but so many don't really feel that. It just gets easier with repetition, and when that happens, you start taking steps that align with that belief and attract joy, success, and happiness into your life.

Book tip:
Kristen Helmstetter: Tea Time for the soul. Your little happiness in the afternoon . "Tea Time Self-Talk" for a magical life. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition October 2023, paperback, 13.5 x 21.5 cm, 202 pages, 18.00 euros (D) / 18.50 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-703-9

Link recommendations:
More information about the book “Tea Time for the Soul”
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about author Kristen Helmstetter
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