I love taking some time in the mornings, especially at the beginning of the week, to enjoy a coffee and write down my intention for the day, plus practice gratitude. It is so, so peaceful to me. It’s exciting to think of the opportunities that lie before me and practice gratitude for the experiences, people and things I have. It’s incredibly important to me to be connected with myself and have my actions and choices reflect what matters to me. It helps me act from a place of authenticity. However, I’m definitely not perfect, so I don’t always make this time for myself. I find that when I don’t spend this time setting my intentions and enjoying my breakfast/coffee, I feel scattered. Stress hits harder, and I operate from a place of panic rather than calm.
To me, “ritual” is like a sacred routine. It’s more meaningful than just something I do every day because when practiced with mindfulness, I realize how the goal of the ritual isn’t the outcome, it’s the process. For me, enjoying coffee in that moment isn’t just about getting a caffeine kick — it’s about enjoying the taste and experience of the coffee. The coffee is the ritual!
Things that matter:
The song “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. It helped me make peace with my hair!
The book “Island of the Blue Dolphins,” by Scott O’Dell.
My homemade marinara recipe. I don’t know why, but I really pride myself on my marinara, and it feels homey to me.
Running, especially with my mom.
Frank Howell’s paintings.
Once it’s warm enough to live in tank tops, I’m a happy camper.
My home.
