So lovely to see this again, Charlene. We have got out of the rhythm of life here … we were away with friends and straight back into jobs in the garden. Today we are slowing it down. Hot water and a slice of lemon. A word game to check the brain is working. Plan for breakfast - I’m on ‘creamy soy mushrooms on toast’ … we have new tumblers from a ceramicist friend (Amy Frankie Smith in Shoreham … her work is on Insta) and they are perfect for our coffees. We’re sipping from them now. The secret is to repeat the dose tomorrow. Happy Sunday.
Thank you for this post. These small rituals are so comforting.
I’m a morning person (0430hrs). None of my cups match, but they are all pottery. I choose what mug suits my mood and have my coffee with oat milk and a homemade oatmeal muffin. I also like to give thanks for the good things in my life. It makes for a good start to my day:)
Love this. I've been really helped by James Clear's advice to build habits rather than set goals. Adjacent to what you're saying here in the sense that our days ought to be about being the kinds of people we want to be rather than just getting done what we want/need to get done.
Also, love that you reshare old posts! Being a newer subscriber, I appreciate getting to benefit from the posts I missed.
some daily rituals that feed my soul are morning cuddles with my hubby and my precious cat Skye, my after lunch walk, making matcha to start my after noon work block, reading after supper
Routines are essential so that we have a rough idea of what to do next as long as we avoid having them lock us into a rut. The current pattern in our household is make coffee, feed the two cats, make our breakfasts. Then retiring to our two chairs offering laps to the cats while we peruse the news from family, friends, substackers, and selected news outlets mostly "mainstream". But we are perfectly willing to adapt that routine when a good reason arises - it makes the next routine morning all the more welcome. Thanks for sharing the photo image which would make an excellent still life painting (and reminded me of the overheard conversation in a Dublin gallery as a guide or curator talked of how she included still lifes in her art classes but only as a means of focusing on technique before moving on to serious subject matter - a fascinating kind of snobbery I thought.)
The moment I wake up, I recite the Modeh Ani. It is a prayer steeped in the mystic tradition of Judaism that loosely translates to giving thanks for waking up to another day where we can make amends, strive towards transformation, and surrender to gratitude.
It takes a moment... but I do it right before I grab my phone, go downstairs and start to straighten up the mess from the night before and prepare breakfast. (My younger son is all about inventing things and cutting up boxes to make pinball machines, 3 D printing, etc... but the shards of paper and plastic make their way everywhere!)
I then work my way into mediation and a yoga practice that grounds me into my body and sets me up for a more balanced day.
Thanks for this. I too am someone who has spent much time trying to create a 'perfect' routine, only for it to fail each time. I'm definitely going to try out daily rituals and try to let go of some of my need for perfection!
This is lovely, Charlene. I started creating little rituals around everyday things that make them just a tad more special, like lighting a candle during dinner. Tea in a mug my best friend gifted me to start a writing session. They remind me of beautiful things in the everyday.
I am off work at the moment, and I’ve been reading a poem every morning. When I go back to work I plan to read one at lunch time. I don’t really get a break, just a quick snatched meal at my desk (though I usually also briskly walk round the block without anyone knowing!) - but I’m hoping this small practice will provide a beat of rest and beauty amongst the chaos.
My mantra is “saying no and going slow…” saying no to what doesn’t work for me, saying no to pressuring myself to do or be something or someone other than myself, saying no to rushing through my life…giving myself full permission to live life in a way that works for me and does no harm to others. Freedom and inner peace ✌️
Again, you've made my day with your lovely voice and writing to match. Routines are habits that work ... or is is the other way around. Anyway, when I plunged ... um ... diddled around with an adult piano course, I had a really hard time practicing in a disciplined manner that would support my progress. So, I decided to add it to my well-established ... robotically automatic ... routine of getting dressed and making my bed. As I stepped out of my room, I would veer left to the room where my keyboard was and practice for as long as my back could hold me up. About a half hour. A couple of weeks ago, I finished the first book in the series of three and started the second. My keyboard is now next to the kitchen counter where I can play a tune or two that I've memorized while cooking (?) dinner. I also wander in mostly every day and practice a repertoire of ten pieces that I've memorized. Voila! A big goal accomplished and a big reward of fun things to play for pleasure rather than discipline. Routines/habits are good, especially when they lead to happy accomplishments.
Thank you for sharing this post Charlene. Just listened to it with a cup of tea that I took back to bed and it’s actually sparked something quite self compassionate, highlighting that these little moments throughout the day matter. Sometimes reading of other people’s amazing daily routines that kick off at 5am is a tad overwhelming in comparison to my own. Love the points you raised and listening to you read your article is so soothing. Thank you!
That was so lovely Charlie thank you. I'm in a period of huge transition in my life where I've gone from a very predictable day/months/year/life to one of chaos and uncertainty. Initially I was cramming my days with 'must do's' in order to calm my frantic heart and mind but now I need to be still(er) and be more gentle. Thank you for the inspiration 😌
So lovely to see this again, Charlene. We have got out of the rhythm of life here … we were away with friends and straight back into jobs in the garden. Today we are slowing it down. Hot water and a slice of lemon. A word game to check the brain is working. Plan for breakfast - I’m on ‘creamy soy mushrooms on toast’ … we have new tumblers from a ceramicist friend (Amy Frankie Smith in Shoreham … her work is on Insta) and they are perfect for our coffees. We’re sipping from them now. The secret is to repeat the dose tomorrow. Happy Sunday.
I like to start my day quietly, with a cup of tea and reading in bed. Just these few minutes to enter the day gently really help.
Thank you for this post. These small rituals are so comforting.
I’m a morning person (0430hrs). None of my cups match, but they are all pottery. I choose what mug suits my mood and have my coffee with oat milk and a homemade oatmeal muffin. I also like to give thanks for the good things in my life. It makes for a good start to my day:)
Love this. I've been really helped by James Clear's advice to build habits rather than set goals. Adjacent to what you're saying here in the sense that our days ought to be about being the kinds of people we want to be rather than just getting done what we want/need to get done.
Also, love that you reshare old posts! Being a newer subscriber, I appreciate getting to benefit from the posts I missed.
That’s beautiful thank you 🩵
some daily rituals that feed my soul are morning cuddles with my hubby and my precious cat Skye, my after lunch walk, making matcha to start my after noon work block, reading after supper
Simple things are the best 🫶🏻
Routines are essential so that we have a rough idea of what to do next as long as we avoid having them lock us into a rut. The current pattern in our household is make coffee, feed the two cats, make our breakfasts. Then retiring to our two chairs offering laps to the cats while we peruse the news from family, friends, substackers, and selected news outlets mostly "mainstream". But we are perfectly willing to adapt that routine when a good reason arises - it makes the next routine morning all the more welcome. Thanks for sharing the photo image which would make an excellent still life painting (and reminded me of the overheard conversation in a Dublin gallery as a guide or curator talked of how she included still lifes in her art classes but only as a means of focusing on technique before moving on to serious subject matter - a fascinating kind of snobbery I thought.)
The moment I wake up, I recite the Modeh Ani. It is a prayer steeped in the mystic tradition of Judaism that loosely translates to giving thanks for waking up to another day where we can make amends, strive towards transformation, and surrender to gratitude.
It takes a moment... but I do it right before I grab my phone, go downstairs and start to straighten up the mess from the night before and prepare breakfast. (My younger son is all about inventing things and cutting up boxes to make pinball machines, 3 D printing, etc... but the shards of paper and plastic make their way everywhere!)
I then work my way into mediation and a yoga practice that grounds me into my body and sets me up for a more balanced day.
Tea rituals are the best! They immediately create a warm space to be cozy in.
Thanks for this. I too am someone who has spent much time trying to create a 'perfect' routine, only for it to fail each time. I'm definitely going to try out daily rituals and try to let go of some of my need for perfection!
This is lovely, Charlene. I started creating little rituals around everyday things that make them just a tad more special, like lighting a candle during dinner. Tea in a mug my best friend gifted me to start a writing session. They remind me of beautiful things in the everyday.
I am off work at the moment, and I’ve been reading a poem every morning. When I go back to work I plan to read one at lunch time. I don’t really get a break, just a quick snatched meal at my desk (though I usually also briskly walk round the block without anyone knowing!) - but I’m hoping this small practice will provide a beat of rest and beauty amongst the chaos.
Choosing 3-4 small flowers for a vase on my altar; lighting a candle; smudging with sage…Aligning with the sacred and the beautiful!
My mantra is “saying no and going slow…” saying no to what doesn’t work for me, saying no to pressuring myself to do or be something or someone other than myself, saying no to rushing through my life…giving myself full permission to live life in a way that works for me and does no harm to others. Freedom and inner peace ✌️
Again, you've made my day with your lovely voice and writing to match. Routines are habits that work ... or is is the other way around. Anyway, when I plunged ... um ... diddled around with an adult piano course, I had a really hard time practicing in a disciplined manner that would support my progress. So, I decided to add it to my well-established ... robotically automatic ... routine of getting dressed and making my bed. As I stepped out of my room, I would veer left to the room where my keyboard was and practice for as long as my back could hold me up. About a half hour. A couple of weeks ago, I finished the first book in the series of three and started the second. My keyboard is now next to the kitchen counter where I can play a tune or two that I've memorized while cooking (?) dinner. I also wander in mostly every day and practice a repertoire of ten pieces that I've memorized. Voila! A big goal accomplished and a big reward of fun things to play for pleasure rather than discipline. Routines/habits are good, especially when they lead to happy accomplishments.
Thank you for sharing this post Charlene. Just listened to it with a cup of tea that I took back to bed and it’s actually sparked something quite self compassionate, highlighting that these little moments throughout the day matter. Sometimes reading of other people’s amazing daily routines that kick off at 5am is a tad overwhelming in comparison to my own. Love the points you raised and listening to you read your article is so soothing. Thank you!
That was so lovely Charlie thank you. I'm in a period of huge transition in my life where I've gone from a very predictable day/months/year/life to one of chaos and uncertainty. Initially I was cramming my days with 'must do's' in order to calm my frantic heart and mind but now I need to be still(er) and be more gentle. Thank you for the inspiration 😌