The Importance of Rituals
![The Importance of Rituals](/content/images/size/w960/2023/02/image--1-.jpeg)
![](https://www.shibui-life.com/content/images/2023/01/B7283217-AC39-42B8-8924-B3183878D85E.jpeg)
The difference between a ritual and a habit is that a ritual is done with intention and presence while a habit is just something you do.
A day is made up of moments. We can sleepwalk through our day or, we can bring some intention to how we spend the moments.
Everyone has a time of day when they’re most productive and for me, it’s the morning. My morning ritual starts when I wake up.
![](https://www.shibui-life.com/content/images/2023/02/IMG_5890.jpeg)
The first thing I do is put fresh water in the kettle and choose a tea. I pull out my glass teapot and use a Fortnum & Mason scoop to add tea. When the water is exactly the right temperature, I fill my cup to warm it, add water to the teapot and set the timer.
It’s in the details
What makes this a ritual instead of just a habit? First, I took the time to buy equipment I enjoy using every time I make a cup of tea. A silver tea scoop, an antique sugar cube grabber, a well-designed glass teapot, the Delftware mug I got in the Netherlands, and a small but lovely collection of my favorite teas. It engages all my senses: the smell of the tea, the feel of the scoop in my hand, the flavor of the tea, the sound of the water coming almost to a boil, and the sight of the tea swirling around in the pot. Of course, I could plop a tea bag into an Ikea mug and call it good. Nothing wrong with that and sometimes it’s the right choice.
I enjoy this lovely small ritual so much that I feel the day has gotten off on the wrong foot if I miss it. It’s a gift to myself. I’m setting the tone of abundance for the day. By taking an extra couple of minutes I’m signaling that there is enough time for me and that I can get everything done and still enjoy the moments along the way.
While drinking my tea I write in my gratitude journal, review my schedule, and prioritize the day's tasks in my planner. Next, I take 15 minutes to practice Italian. For me, part of thriving is learning something every day. Once I’ve had my breakfast of homemade granola with berries and yogurt, I make my bed, lay out my clothes, shower, and prepare for the day. Now it’s time to dive into my top priority to take advantage of my best productive hours.
![](https://www.shibui-life.com/content/images/2023/02/IMG_6104.jpeg)
Just 15 minutes a day
My morning routine is about an hour but each of the components takes 15 minutes or less. It’s not just about optimizing productivity though. It's about making these moments a bit special. The nicely bound planner and gratitude journal, the perfect teacup, a beautiful tray in the bathroom where I can lay out my things, bath soap with a divine aroma - they all engage and nurture the senses and make me want to be present for the experience.
In Practice
Is there a part of your morning you could make into a mindful ritual?
Love,
Darcy
PS: I would love to hear your thoughts. Scroll to the top of this post, and click on 'view online' to leave a comment at the bottom.
Please share this post by viewing online and clicking the icons at the top of the post or sharing it with a friend.