Habits, routines, and rituals… oh my!
You probably already have a lot of habits and routines you can identify. But I also want to make sure we are on the same page, so here is how I like to describe each of them:
habit: doing something without a thought, like chewing your nails, playing with you hair, or shaking your leg
routine: something you do on a regular basis, that requires some thought or planning, like going to school or training
rituals: doing something on a regular basis, that requires some thought or planning, with the purpose of creating an emotional tone, like meditation, imagery, or listening to music.
You might already have routines that act as rituals, like waking up in the morning or winding down before bed. In the morning, you might eat breakfast, brush your teeth, and do your hair to help yourself feel energized for the day. Before bed, you might have a snack, put on your pjams, and watch a movie or journal to help slow down your brain, and feel more relaxed.
If your current routines aren’t quite creating the emotion you want, fear not! You do not have to drastically change what you do. Sometimes, a routine can be elevated into a powerful ritual, simply through intention. In other words, if you become more aware of the energy you are trying to channel, you can fuse that intention into the actions you are already taking. For instance, if you go through your morning and still dread having to show up for your commitments, it might be because you are thinking ahead rather than being in the moment throughout your morning routine. So, to elevate your morning routine into a ritual, your intention can be to actually enjoy your coffee, or to savor the warmth of your hair as it falls out of your straightener/curling iron.
Yes, it can be that simple.
Rather than doing things relatively mindlessly, or perhaps taking each moment for granted, you can create rituals by simply being intentional.
It might also be helpful to note that your rituals can shift and evolve over time. That may be because what you do changes, or it could be because how you want to feel/your intention changes. All of that is allowed! One of the most important lessons I learned from a mentor was that rituals are meant to be fun and playful. If they ever feel strict, forced, or dreadful, you have full power to change them up so they can feel more aligned.
One of my consistent rituals is using my daily shower to wash away any emotional heaviness or ick that I might still be holding onto from the day. I pair a shower with a bit of imagery where I imagine the stickiness melt away and get washed down the drain. I have other rituals that rotate, like planning my day in the morning and journaling before bed, or mindfully drinking my coffee as a source of comfort throughout the day. The lovely thing is that you do not need any fancy tools to have an effective ritual. It just requires intention.
If you want support in creating your own rituals, I have a session that takes groups or individuals through the process!
What routine do you want to elevate into a ritual?
Much love,
Karissa
