Words have so much power and often, certain words can seem similar. For instance, take the words routine and ritual. They go hand in hand, however, the feelings evoked are completely different. Routine – boredom, monotony, complacency. Ritual – Fulfilling, empowering, joyful. Are you ready to get off the hamster wheel (routines) and live a more meaningful life (rituals)? Me too!
You may be wondering why a post on rituals. The overarching theme of the site is Finding Your Joy. How can you truly find joy in life if you aren’t connected to the present?
This post may contain affiliate links. Finding Your Joy is participating in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases through affiliate links to Amazon.com.
Understanding Routines and Rituals
Routines are like living in autopilot mode. We do things because we have to. Wake up, work, eat, sleep, repeat. Sound familiar? Yep…for me too. Routines are great. They serve a purpose for sure. Because of them, we can get a lot done and stay better organized. But after a while the same old routines sure get monotonous. Life becomes a repetitive blur, and where is the joy in that?!? None of that screams I’m living in the present.
While rituals, on the other hand, add some spice to life! There is intention to our actions, which brings mindfulness to our activities by connecting us to the present. Unlike routines, rituals are about the current experience and bringing meaning to our lives. By treating our activities as rituals, we engage mindfully, with intent, and become attuned to what makes us happy. Furthermore, we start living with a purpose. Sounds pretty cool to me!
So Why Rituals?
Rituals are all about being present in the here and now. Here’s a great example that I’m guessing many of you can relate to. The dreaded morning routine! Picture this…instead of waking up and rushing through your morning, you light a scented candle, savor a cup of coffee and set a positive intention for the day. Your morning moves from routine to ritual by starting off with mindfulness and positivity.
Rituals can play a huge role in addressing common problems we all face. There can be a disconnect between the demands in our daily lives, and the need for self-care and living fulfilling lives. We juggle with so many roles, work, family and our own dreams. It is easy to lose touch with ourselves, in essence sacrificing our own self-care.
Rituals provide the opportunity to pause, connect and be present in the moment. Additionally, rituals bring meaning to our actions. When you take the time to reflect on your daily life what can you adjust? What routines are you able to shift into a ritual?
Moreover, rituals aren’t just about going through the motions. They are about living your life with purpose and living in the present, without judgment. They’re about focusing on what’s right in front of you, in that moment, and not focusing on an endless to-do list.
Let’s Get Started!
It’s time to act and introduce rituals into your life. Find a few areas where you feel disconnected or like you’re living on autopilot. Once you’ve identified a few areas, start small and narrow down to one routine that you will transform into a mindful, intentional ritual. Specifically, one that you can commit to focusing on for a month.
- Morning – Mindful Wake-Up, Morning Affirmations, Gratitude Journaling
- Evening – Digital Detox, Meaningful Conversations, Calming Herbal Tea or Warm Beverage
- Bedtime – Reading, Relaxing Scents, Focused Breathing Exercises
- Skincare – Cleansing, Masking, Moisturizing
- Self-Care – Connect with Nature, Pampering, Artistic Endeavors
Remember, only you have the power to shape your days and turn your routines into rituals. Find what resonates with you by exploring how bringing in mindfulness and living with intention enhance your overall well-being. Furthermore, rituals are about creating more meaning and purpose in everyday moments. Connecting to the present leads us on a journey to finding our joy by adding meaning to our lives.
