A life you don’t always need a vacation from!
Getting actionable with routines and rituals
We are in a world (internally and externally) of transition. Though restrictions may be opening up for some, our typical coping mechanisms and skills may be falling short or still unavailable.
In any transition, we must stay in touch with ourselves. Right now, it is the best we can do for each other and our immune systems. Fortunately, taking mindful care of ourselves is like vitamins for your whole self, mentally, emotionally, physically. Though, it can include physical vitamins!
Last week, we talked about energy and how we can cultivate and sustain it.
This week, I wanted to take that previous reflection discovery and find ways to make it even more actionable. Insights are lost unless we make them real and understood in how we live our lives.
Routines and rituals are a simple and effective way to integrate and maintain self-care throughout our day and week. Simply put…
Routines are more habitual, they run more on “autopilot.” Typically, routines are a behavior or series of behaviors that you repeat, without much thought, on a more regular basis. It could be a daily, weekly, or sometimes a monthly routine.
Like all habits, we all have routines that work well for us and those that need some editing (or deleting…). Things like eating breakfast before work or walking the dog when you get home, are typically routine for people.
Rituals are more special, we are more mindful and deliberate about them. Often they have more meaning and we do them because that meaning is important to us. Anything can be a ritual if we intend it to be!
With those perspectives, let’s apply them!
For most of us, we have three main parts to our day: before work, during work, after work. All of those are potent times of transition and possibly huge energy drains if not taken mindfully.
One note of caution: Nourishing days do not mean we have to spend 5 hours on self-care. Small things, done on purpose, are incredibly nourishing. Keep it simple so that it holds its own weight balanced with your responsibilities.
What would a healthy morning look like for you, using your energizers, mindfully addressing your drains, with some small routines AND rituals?
How we start the day is so sacred as it sets the stage for the day. And what precedes our mornings? Our evenings. So those are just as important.
What would a simple, nourishing close to your day look like for you? Where in your evening do you already have a routine and ritual that works well for you?
Self-care often comes down to small choices, made daily, done on purpose. It can be big and elaborate, but is more often simple and unique to each of us.
Enjoy and please let me know what routines and rituals you are going to experiment with to create and sustain your glowing energy!!
Blake
P.S. Interested in working on your habits, routines, and energy management? I have a few affordable online courses to help you out!
Learn the big differences between simply setting goals and making them part of our lives until they are completed. Using research-proven tools and techniques, reflect on what is important to you and learn how to use it to make big leaps in your life.
With this course, you will have a step-by-step process for creating and sustaining healthier habits and routines in your day. Clarifying workbooks to dial in YOUR self-care equation. And guided meditations to shed even more light on what you *want* from your days.
Meditation is almost a cliché these days! Don’t let that deter you- it is simple and timeless. Whether on the rock, in your office, or in a tough conversation, mindfulness is a powerful key to less stress and more happiness in your life…
Every action speaks a need.
While habits can seem like a strange mystery of compulsion, they can be rearranged! Learn how to strengthen positive habits, realign those that aren’t serving you, and how to create willpower and discipline in your life.