Ceremony as an Everyday Practice

Many times I’ve been tempted by the idea of a ‘big fix’. If I do this one thing or achieve this one goal, then everything will be better. There’s no time when we are bombarded with messages about what will fix us more than when we’re moving into the New Year and the pressure is on to set resolutions. 

However, I’ve found that what makes the biggest difference is how I spend my everyday life. Weaving simple yet intentional rituals into my routine brought the power of ceremony into my daily life. The power to reset and reconnect. The power to clear and shift. The power to grow and develop. 

That’s why I think ceremony should be treated as an everyday practice. It helped me more than any grand New Year’s resolution that might have felt good at first but wasn’t sustainable. I’ll share why I think that is and some of my favourite daily rituals.

The benefits of healing rituals

By rituals, what I mean is intentional practices you do to relax, be more present or nurture positivity. The intention behind them is what makes them ceremonial. Often they are used to honour the seasons. Seasons of the year like the equinox or solstice or seasons of life like closing a chapter and welcoming in something new. It doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy, just healing for you. It’s so beneficial to our health and happiness.

• Managing overwhelm and stress - Taking a couple of minutes to step away from everyday life, check in with yourself and do something for your wellbeing is a wonderful stress reliever. Instead of the overwhelm building and building, you have regular touchpoints when you release and replenish.

• Accessing mindfulness and meditation - Rituals not only help us process negative emotions but also create positive experiences. It’s your time to be in the moment. You can practice letting thoughts quiet, the body relax and access a meditative state take over, especially if you use rituals that help you move into different states of consciousness. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to find mindfulness and meditation. 

• Staying consistent - One of the hardest things about wellness goals is sticking to them. When life gets busy or we don’t feel our best, they tend to fall to the wayside. The simplicity of daily rituals makes them easier to maintain. It can take as little as 5 minutes. It’s still effective because you are being intentional with your energy, thoughts and actions.

Everyday rituals that make an everyday impact

Almost anything can be a healing ritual if you do it with the intention to support your wellbeing and create a ceremonial atmosphere. I’ve found a few practices to be particularly effective for me. They’re in rotation for my everyday rituals. I’m inspired by shamanic ceremonies which you’ll see in my favourite practices. 

Singing bowls

I often feel called to just sit with my bowls and let the healing vibrations wash over me. It almost immediately brings calm to my mind and body. I’ll sit down with intentions and questions too as the energetic properties of the quartz crystal amplify intentions and provide mental clarity, opening up deeper states of consciousness to connect with our inner wisdom.

Breathwork

The breath is our omnipresent anchor. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, we can tune into our breath and return to ourselves. There’s also a connection to the nervous system. When we’re feeling stressed, our breath gets faster and shallower, ready to fight or flee. By slowing down and deepening the breath, we can reverse the fight or flight response and create a sense of calm and serenity. Alternate nostril breathing is my go-to breath exercise.

Movement

Moving my body in some shape or form is a staple in my self-care practices. It helps me process the energy of stress and overwhelm as emotions flow through me freely. It also brings me back to my body so I can be present in the here and now. I love going to the gym and regular ecstatic dance events. Your movement ritual could be as simple as going for a walk or doing a few yoga stretches. 

Incense

Incense has been part of spiritual ceremonies for centuries. Burning wood or resin for its scent as a religious ritual has been traced back to the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks. I use it to create a multi-sensory experience as part of my everyday healing ceremony. The scent takes you away to a different realm, providing relief and calm in the present moment. 

Palo santo

Similarly, palo santo is on my list of favourite healing rituals. This is the wood and resin that comes from a specific tree in Peru, Ecuador and across South America. It has been used in indigenous healing ceremonies for centuries, particularly to clear negative energies. It’s known for being a powerful natural energy purifier. Like incense, you burn it and let the soothing scent create an atmosphere for resetting and restoring. 

Cacao ceremony

This is another South American ritual, particularly connected to the Mayan and Aztec cultures. It’s always been about intentionally connecting and manifesting. It can be as simple as drinking cacao (a specific ceremonial-grade drink that comes from cacao beans) and setting an intention for the day, meditating, visualising or seeking guidance. Ceremonial grade cacao is thought to open your heart, mind and spiritual connection so you can receive the answers and clarity you need.

As you can see, there are simple practices that support our mental, physical and spiritual health, especially when they are empowered by intentionality. So, before you move into your ritual, give yourself a moment to arrive. These gentle questions are a way to check in with your inner landscape and connect with the part of you that’s seeking presence. Think of them as an anchor or small touchpoints that draw you back to yourself:

• Which part of me is quietly asking for my attention right now?

• What would help this part of me feel acknowledged and held?

• How might I shape this moment into a gentle offering of care for myself?

I’d like to further support you in bringing ceremony into the everyday and engaging in daily rituals that bring you peace, grounding and positive connection. Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on expanding the I Know This Girl product range to encompass more options for sound, sleep and ceremony. Something to deepen your rituals is about to arrive. Be the first to know by joining the waitlist.