Since I can remember, rituals have been little anchors in my life. Some were tiny, almost secret gestures – like whispers just for me. Others were shared moments of connection that became unforgettable. For me, rituals have always been about comfort, release, and joy. They help me process my emotions, soothe my stress and anxiety, and remind me what really matters.
One of my earliest rituals takes me back to summers with my grandparents in the countryside. Each morning, I led the cows out to graze. I’d sing to them, stroke their noses, and talk as if they were old friends. Then I’d clean the barn. Yes, it was “chores” – but it was also rhythm, care, and connection. A ritual of belonging disguised as farm work.
As a teenager, I started inventing my own rituals. At 17 or 18, I loved playing with herbs, boiling broths, and wild infusions. Once, I gathered friends in a circle to sip pine cone broth together. (Earthy and bitter to say the least 🌲😂) But it wasn’t really about the taste – it was about the spirituality, the togetherness, and the magic of creating something sacred out of the ordinary.
Here are some of my favorite little everyday rituals, plus a few extra ideas for moments when you need a bit of magic or calm.
🌞Morning Magic
My day begins with a cup of tea. I curl up on the couch or my mattress, light a candle and my favorite incense that day (sometimes sage), and create a little sanctuary of stillness. With a focus on my breath, I scan my body from head to toe, noticing sensations without any judgment. Then I turn inward to my emotions, allowing them to be felt, and finally to my thoughts – watching them float past like leaves drifting down a stream (I honestly visualize that).
If I have time, I finish with gentle yoga stretches to wake my body. This little sequence doesn’t take long, but it sets the tone for my day – calm, grounded, present.
Try it yourself:
- Choose a simple anchor (a candle, incense, or just a cup of tea or coffee)
- Sit quietly, scan your body, notice emotions, and watch your thoughts drift by
- Use an image (leaves in a stream, clouds in the sky) to help release thoughts
- End with a stretch, a sigh, or a hand on your heart in gratitude
🌙 Evening Sanctuary
Just as my mornings begin with presence, I like to close my days with softness. My evening ritual is a bath – simple, but deeply nurturing.
- I light a candle to set the mood
- I fill the tub with warm water, Epsom salt, and a few drops of essential oil
- Before stepping in, I inhale the same oil deeply, letting its aroma tell my body: it’s time to rest
Lavender is my go-to for sleep, but sometimes I switch it up:
Sandalwood for grounding
Vanilla
With the lights dimmed and calming music playing, I sink into the water. This isn’t just hygiene – it’s a ritual of release, comfort, and self-care.
Try it yourself:
- Prepare your bath slowly, as if setting the stage
- Choose one essential oil for the mood you need
- Breathe in deeply before slipping into the water
- Add calming music or enjoy the silence
- Treat it as a sacred pause, not just a soak
🔥Ritual of Release
Sometimes rituals help me let go. One that I often return to, and share with clients, is the letter ritual.
Recently, I wrote a letter to something from my past – an old memory that had resurfaced after more than a decade. I poured my heart out on paper, everything that needed to be said. Then I carried the letter to Lake Vífistaðavatn. The swans were gliding across the water, the sun was warm, and the day was calm. I read the letter aloud, honoring the love and lessons this period had brought me. Then, with gratitude, I burned the letter – releasing them, and myself, with love.
It felt like freedom.
Try it yourself:
- Write a letter to someone (or yourself) with everything unsaid.
- Don’t edit – let it flow.
- Choose a setting that feels sacred.
- Release it in a way that feels right: burn it, bury it, or tear it up.
- Close with gratitude for what was learned.
12 Rituals You Can Try Today
Daily Rituals
Morning Gratitude: Write 3 things you’re grateful for before reaching for your phone
Mindful Cup of Tea/Coffee: Sip slowly, notice the warmth, aroma, taste
Evening Candle Reflection: Light a candle and write one thing you want to release from the day
Digital Sunset: Let your phone rest with the sun
Weekly Rituals
Silent Nature Walk: Wander without music or podcasts – just notice
Self-Care Bath / Foot Bath Ritual: Epsom salts, essential oils, dim lights, and music
Home Reset: Tidy up with intention – burn sage, light incense, play music
Monthly / Seasonal Rituals
New Moon Intentions: Write what you want to call in.
Full Moon Release: Write what you’re ready to let go of.
Seasonal Altars: Collect flowers, leaves, or stones to honor the season.
Release & Renewal Rituals
Burning Bowl: Write down fears or regrets, and bury or burn them safely.
Stone-in-the-Water: Breathe worries into a stone and toss it into water.
Why Rituals Matter
Rituals, for me, are not about perfection. They’re about presence, play, and meaning. They are how I return to myself. They are how I create space for joy, release, and gratitude. And maybe, just maybe, they can do the same for you.
Try one this week, or invent your own – and watch how small rituals sprinkle magic into your days
🌿 Learn More About Essential Oils
If you’d like to explore the power of scents and essential oils for relaxation, grounding, and sleep, here’s a helpful resource https://holistic-wellbeings.com/2025/07/28/the-power-of-scent-how-aromas-influence-mood-memory/
Holistic Wellbeings 
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