Tips For Creating Rituals and Rhythms In Your Home

Last year, there were many weeks I felt so tired, drained, and beyond capacity. Many plans I had went sideways and the challenges of having a newborn and 4 kids certainly made thins interesting. I’m reflecting today on what has helped get us through a tough week and why having rituals and routines can help weave some calm and consistency into even the wildest week. I have found that finding rhythms in our day has helped bring joy to our days and can maintain a sense of peace when a day or week goes sideways. Finding rhythm to our days has also limited my anxiety and overwhelm and created a more peaceful home.

Routine and ritual may seem quite similar, but there is a difference. A daily routine is a series of tasks completed in the same order, but a daily ritual differs in its intention. Daily rituals are meaningful practices and internally motivated.

Simple tasks take on a new meaning by acting with intention and mindfully carrying out tasks. Here are a few tips for creating rituals and routines in your home.

Decide Once

We are overwhelmed with so many decisions in a day. We can eliminate some of that overwhelm by making decisions about the recurring things once. We have decided once about what’s for breakfast every morning of the week. Our breakfasts rotate throughout the week; we all know what to expect and ensure that everyone’s favorite gets on the list at least once a week. My favorite is always oatmeal, but that comes with a chorus of “No’s,” even though I matched the days with some alliteration, “Warm Me Up Wednesdays” did not get a positive response. But managing expectations and having rhythm and consistency helps everyone feel calm knowing what to expect. 

Deciding once for things like chores also works well. Picking a day of the week or a time in the day when you do a specific recurring task or chore eliminates the fatigue of constant decision making. 

Give Gratitude

Move beyond your morning and evening gratitude journal and weave gratitude throughout your day. Living in gratitude is life-changing. Something as simple as being grateful for the food you have to prepare and the people you are preparing it for can quickly change an overwhelming moment of chaos into an overwhelming moment of grace. I have gotten into the practice of thanking the floor for holding us up and hanging on to the little footprints and spills.

Keep It Simple

By limiting the variety of foods we eat and the things we have on hand, we have less overwhelm and clutter. I used to avoid serving the same foods more than once a week and strived to give my kids variety, but as we shift to eating with the seasons, we embrace simple meals, less clean-up, and more simplicity.

Do One Thing at a Time

I have to work towards doing one thing at a time. It’s not uncommon for me to be cleaning the kitchen as I eat my toast in the morning while answering questions about a math assignment and probably thinking about an email I need to send. Sitting and mindfully eating meals has helped me set a positive example for my kids and give space for gratitude and pause. And mindfully carrying out one task at a time keeps me focused.

Move Slower

Physically moving through your day at a slower pace helps bring mindfulness and calm to your day. Activities such as chopping vegetables and peeling fruit become calming and enjoyable instead of frantic and rushed. When you are moving slower and taking time to breathe through the task you are completing, you can be much more present. 

There you have it, 5 tips to bring mindful rhythms and routines to your daily life.  If you are interested in exploring more mindfulness exercises to add ease to your days and bring more ritual to your routine, sign up for my email list to have more mindful intentional living delivered right to your inbox.