While listening to one of Rich Roll’s older podcasts a few weeks ago (if you don’t know his story, look him up, he’s pretty amazing) his guest mentioned how she prefers to create rituals rather than routines.
It truly struck a chord with me; Everything we do that tends to be mundane is considered a routine. As the kids get back to school we settle into that routine or the way we meander the aisles of a grocery store.
Maybe we like some of them and hold onto them for structure and consistency. They offer a certain kind of safety you can count on. There’s definitely nothing wrong with that. If we’re talking about wellness and change, however, that’s where rituals can play an intricate role in your success and maintenance.
I’ve seen tag phrase after tag phrase on blogs and those in-your-face grocery store magazine racks: “GET OUT OF YOUR OLD ROUTINE. BUILD A NEW YOU.” The truth is, your self-talk and mindset can get you there easier than any ‘routine.’
Sure I have them, too — many, and they work. But the ones I enjoy the most are the ones I practice or perform, for lack of a better word. At first, the word “ritual” implied a ceremony or religious proclamation to me. But I realized I actually do specific self-care actions in a ritualistic type of way that makes them astronomically more rewarding, and I’ve been doing it for years without tapping into the honour and gratitude completely.
Yoga is the perfect practice to analyze. We can walk into a studio and just look at it as a healthy routine, which it is, or we can really let the breath, strength, energy and life force resonate through us.
Going through the motions is fine, but have you ever noticed on days when you’re distracted and not present how poor your balance is? How shallow your breath is? Take a moment and look at why that is.
Perhaps you’ve done the same old “routine” for so long it is second nature; Your body and mind do it for you without thoughtful intention. The way I got out of that was by practising yoga at home. It’s much harder, but has become a lovely ritual. I prepare my space, even the air with my favorite aromatherapy. I give myself permission to make it special, to cherish self-care and not allow it to be just a workout.
Sometimes it’s a mere 15 minutes, but it’s so effective. I feel more grateful because the ritual prepares the heart/body/mind for the gift it’s about to receive.
Running is the same for me, and this I’ve done for years. I prep all my gear, down to my favourite undies, and lay it all out. Sometimes I have a new playlist or podcast, or nothing at all. The process of mindfully preparing makes the journey more heart-filled.
Do any other running friends out there know what I mean? I’ve seen all your pre-race posts. They are beautiful rituals to acknowledge the challenge ahead, to prepare the mind for the glorious battle.
Crossfit, bootcamp, weights, HIIT, even walking your dog — try to add a moment of clarity to the movements, make them special, ask yourself ‘“Why am I doing this?” Honour the gift of wellness you’re literally bringing to life. Believe it, trust it. We are all capable of greatness in the most insignificant ways. No one will even notice, except you, until your eyes shine a bit brighter. Life is waiting, live it now!
