Fresh year, familiar rituals

Whenever a new year arrives, so full of hope and promise, there is often an accompanying anticipation of fresh starts and better times ahead. The shiny new day dawns, and I feel an almost undeniable force that encourages me to seek out the “new and different”.

I have had that same irresistible impulse at other such occasions that are tied to the passing of time: birthdays and anniversaries, or when Spring decides to bloom, or even at the start of a new month. Or when I’m simply just tired of the same old. Have you ever felt that push? Set new goals, make heartfelt wishes, try out that next great workout, seek out novel experiences, break free of routines, shop for new clothes, etc.?  

And when we take those baby steps or giant ones towards our targets and follow through, well, that is just THE best! 

But…as we know, life sometimes has a tendency to go sideways, and those freshly laid ideas don’t always unfold the way we’d hoped or imagined. The shiny-ness starts to wear off or the new “whatever you wanted” has lost its momentum, leaving us feeling a bit hollow and somewhat disappointed. 

Lately, I decided to take a step back and reflect on why I wanted those things in the first place. The reasons are not always forthcoming. At times, all I can think is “it seemed like a good idea at the time.” And at others, it was just based on a thought that the new thing would be great. Or just better. Better than what? Better than what I already have? 

And that’s when I begin to look at what I already have, what I already do, what I already am. All those things that are solid and consistent. Some of them likely started out as the new and the shiny and now have become an inseparable part of me. I am speaking about all the practices we engage in (sometimes without even realizing it) that make us feel strong and keep us grounded. Our own unique rituals. 

I am sharing a few of mine and hope they resonate with you, or help you reflect on yours.

That First Cup

Coffee, Tea, Latte, Juice, whatever your choice…is there anything more crucial to life itself than that first cup of the day? 

I actually have two cups that I cannot do without. The first is my morning cup of hot water with a healthy slice of lemon in it. Just that first sip signals my body that the day is starting and the warmth gently wakes me up (I am so not a morning person). 

And then after I’ve moved around a bit and am ready to start the day, I welcome my real first cup of the day. My tea…Mmm, soooo good! It’s not quite ready unless it’s strong enough to melt the spoon. I bet it’s likely even stronger than coffee. Are you with me on this, tea drinkers? Even the process of steeping loose leaf tea and watching as it gradually infuses that dark tawny colour is a kind of ritual in itself. 

Somewhere along the way, I’d almost forgotten that I started drinking my lemon water because I’d been told by a health practitioner years ago that it helps to cleanse my liver and alkalize the body. I don’t really think about that anymore. I just simply enjoy it. As for drinking tea…well, that’s just pure love for its taste. Maybe some of it is due to cultural influences and growing up in a house that lived on tea. Masala chai…need I say more? Of course, I have also read that tea has wonderful antioxidants and many other benefits. That’s just a side bonus. I just like to think of it as a little daily gift for my soul.

Move-Me-nt

Movement comes in so many forms. I try to move me on a daily basis as much as possible. 

Sometimes, that’s just a quick walk around the block or a 10-minute stretching session. And about three times a week, I do 20-30 minute workouts with weights, alternating with workouts on a Pilates Reformer (my favourite form of exercise) and yoga.

As I reflect on how I landed on my current movement rituals, I realized that over the years, I have tried many different types of movement from cardio classes and running to spinning and racquet ball (extremely short-lived as I was so not good at that). It was through this trial and error that allowed me to create the movement rituals that work for me. Some I had to just give up because my body wasn’t cooperating with me. I’m referring to having to give up running as my knees just simply said, “No.”

As we know, it’s so important to know and respect what works for you and your body. And to accept that it will be different for everybody. The commonality is that no matter how we choose to move our bodies, we reap the health benefits. The best bonus: it makes me feel strong – Wonder Woman! (picture me flexing my small but mighty bicep muscles).

The Face Ritual

This one is definitely a favourite. 

Morning and night, after I’ve used my freshly-scented cleanser, it begins. The morning typically features a serum, moisturizer, sunscreen all applied in succession with gentle strokes in whatever pattern feels best. Let’s not forget the addition of the eye serum layered with eye cream. 

The nighttime sometimes calls for a different serum or moisturizer so they can do their more intensified magic while we sleep. Just recently, I added a LED Mask, you know, for the “collagen boost”…and it’s kind of fun to imagine myself as Robot-Girl. 

Then, of course, there’s the mini home weekly facial that we might treat ourselves to. Something to help exfoliate the skin and then that decadent 10-minute face mask. Adding our tools to the mix…Gua Sha or Face Roller…just makes it that much extra. 

How much fun have we had trying new products and potions to see what works? And isn’t it great when we find the perfect find? New or tried and true, I love my lotions and potions but it’s that ritual of pampering myself that truly matters.

Girl Talk

And what would my week be without the chats with my girls? 

Sometimes we say quick hellos and sometimes we chat for an hour (or two or three). We giggle, we laugh out loud, and sometimes we cry, sharing the ups and downs of daily life, family drama, celebrations. And our fears, hopes and plans, and give each other that that gentle or hard (but loving) push when it’s most needed. That kind of support is immeasurable and I am truly grateful to have these women in my life (you know who you are)!

The LOVE of my life

I left the best one for last – the one closest to my heart – my honey bunny! 

The kisses and hugs (and the ones that sometimes are for no reason at all), the texts and calls throughout the day just to say hi, the chats after a long day at work, cuddling on the couch watching a good movie, planning our next trip, laughing at some silly joke or memory…there are so many more. We are always there for each other, every moment, every day – that is the ritual I cherish most.

I suppose it is the gratitude I feel when I reflect on my rituals which helps me see that many things are fine, in fact, they’re great just as they are. I value that the consistency of my established rituals does not equal “time for change”. Rather, consistency provides the foundation and clarity for me to explore something new and assess if it’s truly worth it. And even if the new doesn’t work out, my old and my familiar are always with me.  

And another thing that this reflection has done for me? It’s helped to reflect on and remind me of one area that I do hope to and want to spend more time on – my writing and I hope it becomes one of my familiar rituals.