This morning I explained my morning routine on Instagram:

“Morning ritual. I used to wake up with just enough time to get ready and run out the door; usually with a granola bar hanging out of my mouth and half the time spilling tea or coffee everywhere in the rush. This year, I have committed myself to waking up at least an hour earlier to practice yoga and have a relaxed breakfast and journal/planning time with my Desire Map Planner. I was the person who would roll my eyes and say “I’d rather have the extra hour of sleep…” But I find this hour invaluable now. Starting my day in a centered, grounded, and intentional way helps to set me up for a less stressful, more joyful, and more productive day. Try it for yourself for a week, and then keep enjoying it as you won’t want to go back!“

After posting, I continued contemplating the importance of rituals throughout the day, not just in the morning. For my Reiki practice, I begin with a specific prayer to signify to spirit that I am ready to connect and begin the healing process. For my yoga practice, I always start in a seated pose breathing deeply to become fully present, and I always end in savasana, followed by a bow to signify the end of my practice. These ritual cues allow my mind, body, and spirit to shift into and stay present with my different activities.

After considering the practices where I already have rituals, I began to think about other times when a ritual may be useful for getting prepared for a transition. The two that really stood out are my arrival at work and bedtime. For the next week I have decided to incorporate two new rituals to see the difference they make in how I feel. I plan to sit in my car upon arrival to work, close my eyes, and take a few diaphragm breaths to center myself before starting my workday. Before bed, I plan on applying my sleep essential oils, taking a few deep breaths, and mentally reiterating what went well during my day and what I am grateful for. As I said in my post yesterday, I already focus on gratitude in the mornings, but I think it would be excellent practice to begin and end my day in gratitude.

Think about your own life and where a ritual may be beneficial to help you with transitions. Try to incorporate one for a week, and see if you can feel the difference!