10 rituals that are making me feel totally nourished

In a recent workshop a participant described her life as a roller coaster that never stops.  I noticed many heads nodding around the room, a sign there were many rollercoaster lives being lived.

I understand that rollercoaster feeling.  The dips and bends tossing you about, as the demands of life drag you along.

At best you manage to get from one thing to the next, frantically ticking lists off in between, only to get up and do it all over again.

At worst you collapse in a heap and wonder how you will survive another moment.

I know because that was me for a very long time.

Some days were a blur, others were exhausting and most were unfulfilling.

I wanted to get off.

But how?

The process began by scattering small and intentional activities throughout my day.

Moments to help anchor me to the present.

Many began as simple tricks to brighten up my daily flat spots.

Others came about as regular habits designed to move me toward my goals.

I slowly developed daily and weekly rituals that both supported and enhanced my life.

The build up of nourishing rituals has helped me add joy to my struggle spots, develop my creative muscle and build up a variety of consistent health practices.

Here are the top 10 rituals I currently weave throughout my days and weeks

1.  An inspirational quote delivered to my phone at 8am
   I found the mid morning chaos escalates quickly and this simple trigger reminds me to pause and remember what is important.
2. Walk the dog after I drop the kids at school
   Fitting in movement can be a challenge.  Taking the dog with us each morning is all I need to hit the pavement and clock up some steps.
   It is also a time to transition my thoughts from Mumma mode to work mode while I walk.
3. Yoga booked in my diary 3 times per week
   I treat my yoga classes as I do other appointments, they are in my calendar and I plan my days around them.
4. Weekly planning session on a Sunday afternoon.
   This is crucial for me, it is when I commit to three things that will move me forward each week.
5. I enjoy drinking one coffee each day and I sit to enjoy it.
    A reminder that life is full of simple pleasures…..take away cups are avoided and friends are very welcome.
6. A Desire Map Truthbomb delivered to my phone at 2pm.
   This is my flat spot of the day when frustration looms as I watch the clock.
   The truth bomb gives me a little zap of inspiration to dig a little deeper and work through for another hour.
7. 2 – 5 minute meditation before picking the kids up
   Collecting the kids with my head still swirling with work ideas is a recipe for disaster.
   I use The Smiling Mind app to rinse off any work struggles and be more present as a Mum.
8. Daily Creative challenges
   This has included a year-long Photoaday challenge, a calligraphy writing month and currently Maya Stein’s 7 Minute Morning writing workshop
   Creative challenges take me no more than 10 minutes and support my desire to grow, learn and have some fun each day.
9. Celebrate the end of the week with a treat night
   This is my date night with the kids.  A time to connect with no phone, no Ipads, no friends, just us!
10. Read, even if only one page, each night before bed
    This is a great wind down ritual for me and helps prepare my busy mind for rest.

How can you start your own set of rituals and get your moments to count, your everyday to count?

It means paying attention to the ebb and flow of your days and weeks and identifying where you lack focus, where you are vulnerable and where you can create space.

It means knowing what you want and playing with simple ideas to generate this.

It means being painfully honest with yourself, especially when you allow your time to be hijacked by others.

It means getting clear how you want to feel and what helps you feel this way.

It means knowing when to keep going and when to discard what didn’t work or is no longer serving you.

It means saying no and standing strong against the frantic demands of a busy life.

It means committing to YOU, regularly, consistently and above all else.

It means keeping it simple.  Consistent, effective rituals don’t have to be complicated or fancy to make difference they just have to happen.

Get off the rollercoaster today and develop a set of rituals that supports you to lead a life you love.