Daphne Dixon
The Importance of Rituals

Why are rituals important? What makes something a ritual vs. a routine?
Routines, IMO, are the things you sort of do on autopilot....
Rituals have presence and attention, and are connected to purpose.
I might make my bed everyday. But if I do that, not thinking about what I am doing, it means nothing. On the other hand, if I make my bed, giving gratitude to it for the rest I got last night, and the place of healing it provides, the feelings and presence invoked creates a different pathway in my brain. I connect with gratitude. I connect with reverence and appreciation. This helps me connect with those things throughout the rest of my day, including in moments that might seem challenging otherwise.
This practice, and others like it, provide the framework for attention and awareness that keeps us centered in self, and more aware of our surroundings. When we build those skills, we can access what surrounds us, and is available at all times, more easily. This helps us stay anchored in ourselves when difficult times arise, as they always do… When we have already carved those pathways out, they are easier to find and continue.
Do you currently practice rituals to help you center and ground in yourself, and your purpose? What are some of your go-to tools in your toolbox?

Some of my rituals:
Daily gratitude practice
Body scan, inventory of how body feels
Energy work/ balance (reiki, crystals)
Breathwork, meditation
Self hug
Connection with regular self-care routines to ritualize: brushing teeth, making food, eating (see below on how to connect as a ritual)
Yoga
Journaling
Smudging self, environment
Lighting candles
Soaking in Epsom salts, aromatherapy
Massage therapy
Cleaning house, deep cleaning, energy clearing room
Reducing clutter and items I no longer use-donating/pay it forward
Gardening, yard work
Dancing
Date night with self
Cooking or baking
If “sitting” for meditation is difficult, try making regular routines into rituals, and a form of meditation. This is done when we stay fully present and aware during the routine, and connect with the intention behind it:
Brushing teeth (healthy teeth/gums, self-care, good health)
Bathing/shower (cleanse, renew)
Lotion body/self-massage (self-care, healthy skin)
Picking clothes for the day (what energy do I want to share with the world today? How to I want to project or protect my energies?)
Fixing breakfast (nourishment, good health)
Vitamins (giving body everything it needs to be strong & healthy)
Working out, running (inner chant/incantations about building strength/endurance)
Setting intention for sleep when you get in bed (rest, renewal, revitalize)