Tiny Rituals

I use tiny rituals because that is what feels accessible in this busy season of life. And I know if I want to adopt a new practice, I have to start with small steps, because accessible is sustainable.

So here are a few tiny rituals I do pretty regularly and with ease.

• Same morning playlist every day. Sometimes I listen to it in the shower, or while I make breakfast, or while I enjoy my coffee.

• Morning coffee. I genuinely enjoy the ritual of making coffee. I have a Breville espresso machine I saved up for and love. Sometimes my son joins in and helps me make my coffee, and I enjoy that just as much, although it can get pretty messy.

• Opening all the windows. I live in a small house on a small hill, and we get the best breezes. Whether it’s raining, cold, or hot, I open the windows in the morning to let the house breathe.

• Twenty minutes outside every day barefoot is my goal but, I don’t put too much pressure on it. I’m happy with just taking a step outside to take a few breaths if that’s all that is accessible that day. During the week I might get time to enjoy my coffee quietly, water my plants and walk around. On the weekends I might quickly exceed 20 minutes chasing after my toddler.

• Lighting a candle, dimming overhead lights or even skipping them in exchange for cozy lamps is one of my favorite evening rituals. I love how it signals to my system the day is coming to an end and helps me mentally downshift for the day.

The little things count, and sometimes they build up and have a bigger impact than we realize.

I think that is part of the benefit of ritual, even small ones. They give our bodies something familiar to return to. They create little moments of rhythm, steadiness, beauty, and choice inside days that can otherwise feel rushed or full. A tiny ritual may not change everything, but it can gently change the way we move through what is already here.