The other day, I was listening to an episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast where they were discussing everyday rituals. I’ve read a number of books and articles on the idea of this rituals and this podcast triggered me to write a post and spend time thinking about the idea of a ritual and how it is different from our daily routines.
Rituals vs. Routines
We all have days full of routines. We take showers, brush our teeth, some make their bed, others enjoy a cup of coffee. We cook, clean, exercise, and do countless other things every single day. So, what takes a daily routine and elevates it into a ritual? The rituals is the daily routine that we look forward to. The ones that bring us calm and relaxation.
What I have found interesting in exploring my own rituals and having conversations with others on theirs is that what one person finds to be a relaxing ritual, others may see as a chore. One example for me is chopping vegetables. This mundane activity that many find to be a chore, for me is a daily ritual that I look forward to as it relaxes me at the end of a busy day of work. The chopping focuses my mind, I immediately see what I’ve accomplished, and it provides a transition from the work day into my evening.
Exploring Your Rituals
When you consider your daily routines, which ones have elevated to be a ritual? I’ve spent the last few days really thinking about this. I realize that there are several moments that stand out as the ones I look forward to every day as a way to ground myself and create transitions throughout the day. The list was shorter than I expected.
- Morning meditation
- Afternoon walk around the neighborhood (3.5 miles) listening to podcasts
- Taking a photo every day – on my phone or with my DSLR
- Chopping vegetables
- Reading before bed
I spent time as I created the list considering if rituals are solitary or completed with others. For me, I’ve decided the rituals are part of my own routine and don’t depend on others. I have moments that happen every day that make me happy and are very important to me – like calls and live conversations with my family. I’ve decided that for me, these don’t count as rituals.
Photo credit – Lori Sullivan Photography
Summary
I found the time reflecting on my rituals to be valuable in understanding the moments in my day and how they give me energy. I hope you are able to spend some time thinking about your daily routine and identifying the moments for you that have elevated to rituals.
Along the way, I would love to hear what you discover. What are your rituals? Are they things you do on your own? Have activities with others become a part of your ritual list? Please share your thoughts in the comments or send me a note via the contact page.