I love patterns. The repetitive, predictability of grounding practices can create space for calm when we need it most. Additionally, I find that I can be my most spontaneous, creative, inspired self in the context of patterns. I feel like when I am surrounded by order, my creativity has more space to flourish.
Today I am sharing some examples of my routines and rituals that I rely on regularly and practice intentionally.
Routines are the patterns we follow over a block of time like a week or a month. For example, laundry on Tuesday, small group on Wednesday, pizza on Friday, yoga on Saturday, dinner club on the first Thursday, and book club on the second Thursday. Routines punctuate our weeks and months and give form and rhythm to large chunks of time. Routines encapsulate intentionality.
Rituals are the repetitive actions we take on a daily basis to maintain our way of life. For example, starting the day with coffee and a walk, and ending the day with a candle, stitching, and skincare. Rituals offer the opportunity to elevate actions we take every day as a way to infuse our days with beauty and mindfulness. Instead of simply brewing coffee, we might brew coffee in a French press, finding joy in the process, and we serve it in our favorite mug, sugar stirred with a cute spoon. Any action can become a ritual.
My favorite routines throughout the week include going to the grocery store, putting clean sheets on my bed, and painting my nails. At work, I enjoy the routine of Monday admin tasks, Tuesday logistics meeting, and Friday creative team meetings.
My favorite rituals throughout my day include a fantastic cup of coffee in the morning, walking and listening to audiobooks, completing a French lesson in Duo Lingo, and ending the day with a candle, a book, and stitching.
The idea here isn’t to adopt my routines and rituals, but to discover your own. What are the patterns in your week that you enjoy? What are your daily habits and where can you discover a comforting place for ritual?
ROUTINES AND RITUALS
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