Rituals
Rituals for me are my lighthouse that shines from the shore, enabling me to find my way, they guide me home to myself and ground me in the present moment. One of my annual rituals was initially created in response to burnout.
My then corporate sales job working long hours and hitting the ever increasing targets followed by two years of unexplained infertility found me physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. I still remember that Friday morning suited and booted looking into the mirror about to leave for work and my mind and body saying, “No. Not today my love you need to rest”. I called in sick. I knew I needed space and time alone to think and breathe. The next message received on my phone was a beautiful baby scan sent to me. In that instant this no moping around nudge from the universe shifted something. Rather than laying under the covers I grabbed a canvas and a stack of my magazines and spent the rest of the day cutting, sticking and creating a vision board for my year ahead. I also wrote myself a “Dear me in a year” letter. My words to me, for me, about my life one year from now as if it was already so to be opened in a year's time.
There is something so powerful about this Ritual. It’s creative, you're vulnerable, filled with hope, it moves you forward and inspires you to dream. It breathes life into every corner of your being and everything you’re here on earth to do but don't know it yet. By the end of that Friday I had completely let go and given everything over to a higher power. 4 weeks later I was pregnant. I will never forget the tingles running down my spine as I stood in the living room of our new home reading my words I’d written 9 months before, “As I look out of the bay window of our newly purchased home heavily pregnant . . .” We had just moved house. I was reading my letter standing in our new bay window and I would give birth to our son four weeks later.
Some other rituals of mine, journaling my gratitude daily, fills me with joy regardless of the day or mood. Running puts me into nature and moves my energy instantly. I feel free and alive. Planting my feet onto my yoga mat and giving myself permission to inhale, exhale and stretch new energy into my mind, body and soul is empowering and brings me into the present moment. Meditation is one I'm still trying to develop. Swimming seems to be my meditation. There's something so beautiful about diving into the waters, the underwater silence and occasional dapples of the morning sun on the pool floor, the exhaling of bubbles, breaking through the surface and inhaling whilst watching my hands parting the waters, moving forwards.
Another ritual I find so rewarding is booking in a holistic treatment at the start of each month. It gives me permission to pause and find peace in the present. Reiki, a massage, a facial or reflexology. Time out, to drift away, rest and rejuvenate my mind, body and soul. The benefits continue long after I’ve walked out of the door. I still remember after deciding to embark on this monthly ritual it felt initially splurgeful but then I reminded myself why I was doing it. I wanted to create a monthly ritual where my self care, health and wellbeing took priority and not just in times of illness or crisis. I did deserve it. I just needed to change my mindset and be honest about what was going to benefit me long term. So here's to our rituals the ones we already practise and are yet to find and the beautiful sparks of inspiration and wellbeing they breathe into our lives.
Peace and Warm wishes
Kerry