A ritual is something you return to, whether out of convention or habit. All it is, is what you make of it or make it into. As the saying goes, old habits die hard. And as we know, creating new habits can be a wicked hard task. But alas, it is not impossible and can truly be the most rewarding time with yourself.
What a Ritual Feels Like
Take a moment to close your eyes and consider what you may currently have created a ritual around. Do you always wake up and make a cup of coffee or stop at your local cafe for a latte? Do you spend time with a skincare routine every evening after you shower? Is there a certain time of day you always break to spend time with your furry, four-legged friend?
These moments that have become your rituals, pillars and markers throughout the 24 hours of your day. They feel natural and your day can feel like it’s missing something if for some reason you’ve skipped out on a daily ritual.
Little Moments that Make Up Your Life
All of these little moments or little rituals, if you will, end up creating our lives. So get clear, what is habitual in your life? What has become a ritual and does it enrich or diminish your vibrancy and how you show up for yourself?
And more importantly, find clarity on what feels like it’s missing from your life. What would feel nourishing to you in your daily life? What space would you like to create for yourself to return to daily? How would you like to show up for yourself?
The turn of the new year has become a time where we can reflect on the past calendar year and arrive into the new year with more clarity. But also know, you can take time to reflect and create ritual at any point in the calendar year. Every day, even every yoga practice, is a fresh opportunity to create your beautiful life.
Make the Time & Honor Your Sacred Ritual
One of the most important elements to introducing new rituals into your life is to make the time for them. Modern life can feel fast and absolutely full to the brim, so it’s important to block the time for yourself and to honor the container of that time in space.
When would you like to practice this ritual? Mark it in your calendar, leave a post-it note on your mirror, hold yourself accountable for honoring this time in space. And when the mind or body offers resistance to the repetitive practice of showing up for this ritual, remind yourself why you wanted to create this ritual in the first place. How is this nourishing you in the short-term and in the big picture? Keep coming back to this to help hold you steady.
Setting is Key—Create the Space
It can be extremely supportive to create a container for your ritual to take place within. Part of that container is making the time, like mentioned above, but another part is the setting and space. Are you creating the ritual of a morning meditation practice? Setting up a space in your home that is cozy, clean, and ready for you, will help to make it easier to come back to every day.
Other elements that can enhance your experience are lighting a candle or burning palo santo to mark the moment. What would make the ritual even more delicious than the reward of completing it? Do those things!
Most Importantly, Practice Self-Compassion
It is no secret that 2020 has been a turbulent year for the world. Offer yourself self-compassion in the moments that seem hard and don’t be hard on yourself if the day slips by without your ritual. You can always begin again. I invite you to step into creating your sacred rituals with an open and kind heart.
