Turn routines into rituals to keep focussed and motivated

Let’s start with talking about what the difference is between a routine and a ritual, this definition can differ for everyone.

A routine is something we do regularly, without having to think about it too much. A ritual is something we do regularly with conscious awareness. Having a routine or a ritual is good for us. They keep us consistent, focused, and motivated.

When you have a morning routine you are more like to start your day feeling good. Routines or rituals are generally things that are good for us. If you wake up in the morning and start your day with a cup of hot water and lemon, that’s generally a good routine. Now, if you wake up in the morning and focus on the process of preparing that hot cup of water with lemon with conscious awareness, you turn a routine into a ritual.

I think of routines as the base. Rituals are the second level. They require us to be more aware and intuned with our bodies. A bedtime routine would be stretching everyday before bed. A bedtime ritual would be taking the time to check in with your body and see if maybe you need to stretch or you need to meditate today. Rituals have more space to expand. It’s about showing up and listening to what it is we need.

If we are in the routine of working out everyday we might be working on days are bodies are tired. If we turn working out into a ritual it’s less about the act and more about the awareness we bring to activity. Neither one of these is right or wrong. Both of them are probably necessary for a good life.

If you have developed consistent routines in your life that work for you, that’s great. Like most things in life though, there is always room to grow. Rituals are that next level of expansion.

Here are 3 practices to help you turn routines into rituals:

1. Spend some time everyday being silent and checking in with how your body feels. This helps connect to what we need in the present moment.

2. Start paying attention to the process instead of only being focused on the final product. If you are making a meal. Enjoy the drive to the store and getting to pick out the vegetables you are going to eat. There is beauty in all of it.

3. Stay consistent but open to change. This is the key, is knowing that some days you need a break. Some days you need to do something different. Some days life happens and takes us in a different direction. Just because your routine gets changed doesn’t mean you cannot turn the experience into a ritual.

Having routines and rituals in life that feel good to you help you be more organized, fulfilled, and present. These are for you work and your personal life. Keep working on yourself and most importantly keep showing up for yourself.

The author is a Business and Mindset Coach who works with entrepreneurs on personal development and business growth. vanessaseymour.com, email@vanessaseymour.com; Instagram: @vanessa.seymour]