Issue #3: Perfect Progression: From Routines to Rituals

Hey you,

I've been thinking a lot lately about the difference between going through the motions and actually being present in our daily activities. You know what I mean? Those things we do on autopilot versus the moments we're fully there for. Turns out, there's a world of difference between routines and rituals, and that's what we’re exploring today.

Turning Everyday Routines into Meaningful Rituals

As I continue my journey towards building new habits, here's something I've been thinking about: how to transform some of my mindless routines into energizing rituals. What’s the difference? Let me tell ya!

Routines are those things we do without thinking, often while our mind is somewhere else entirely (hello, mentally planning dinner while in the shower). Rituals, on the other hand, are those same necessary activities but performed with intention, presence, and a sprinkle of meaning ✨

The magic isn't in changing WHAT you do, but HOW you do it. Here's 5 easy steps to transform your routines into rituals that actually energize you:

1. Start tiny – Choose one simple routine that you do daily. The more mundane, the better! Morning coffee? Evening face wash? Your commute? Pick something that feels manageable.

2. Add a sensory element – Engage your senses to create presence. Maybe it's a special scent, your favorite playlist, or a texture that feels good against your skin. 

3. Create a micro-moment of intention – Before beginning, take just three seconds (literally count: uno, dos, tres) to set an intention.

4. Make it yours – Personalize it in a way that feels authentic to YOU. If meditation feels forced, don't do it! If lighting candles makes you happy, do that! There's no "correct" way to create meaning.

5. Protect it (fiercely) – The world will try to rush you through your rituals. Resist it, friend! Even if it's just two minutes, these are YOUR two minutes. No emails, no notifications, no "just a quick thing" from anyone else.

Recuerda: a ritual doesn't have to be Instagram-worthy or involve expensive crystals (unless you're into that). The simplest actions can become sacred when done with presence and care. ✨

Remember that pinched nerve I mentioned before? Good news - it's almost completely healed, and I even got cleared for light jogging!

Timing couldn't be more perfect because my recent doctor's visit (yeah the visits continue!) came with a whole menu of health recommendations. The highlights? Increase movement, eat more nutritious meals, hydrate better, improve sleep patterns, and pop some Vitamin D supplements because apparently I've been ghosting the sun too much.

My first reaction? Pure overwhelm. Tracking calories? Drinking specific amounts of water? Getting proper sleep? In THIS state of the world?! Yeah right.

Then, I had a moment of clarity: What if I stopped seeing these health changes as punishment and started treating them as acts of love? This was my first step in transforming daily health routines into meaningful rituals.

For food tracking, instead of reluctantly logging meals with "Ugh, I have to track my food again 🙄," I'm shifting my perspective: "I'm getting to know what my body actually needs to thrive!" I add intention to the process by reviewing my nutrition with curiosity rather than judgment. It's not just about the numbers—it's about learning my body's language.

And hydration? The old routine was forgetting water until I was parched—getting maybe 8 oz daily (yes, ounces not cups 🫣). So, I dusted off my favorite tumblers and made them my constant companions. A bit cumbersome pero it's working! I've personalized this ritual with containers I love, and now I'm drinking ~2L of water a day. When I take a sip, I sometimes pause for those three tiny seconds to appreciate that I'm actively caring for myself.

The biggest challenge has been transforming my sleep. My boyfriend is a night owl and his work schedule means I get more of him in the evening. The relationship time feels so precious that I haven't yet found a way to create a ritual that honors both my need for sleep and my desire for connection. I should be getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep, but I'm still only at 6! Will keep ya posted on what ritual I land on to improve my sleep.

This journey isn't linear (nothing worth doing ever is, verdad?), but transforming these "shoulds" into rituals of self-love has made the whole process feel less like a chore and more like coming home to myself.

Staying Optimistic: Adulting is hard, and I often feel like my own Tamagotchi (please tell me you get the reference!), but I ain’t gonna lie, I have a hell of a lot of optimism and gratitude. Even when things feel like they’re crumbling I step into each part of my day so incredibly grateful to wake up, walk about my favorite city, and go to work. 

Doggos are my Joy: When gratitude isn’t enough, I rely on my dogs to get me out of my funk. Whether it’s a 30 minute play in the yard or some tug of war, they find a way to make me smile, let go of my worries, and just be present in the moment.

This week, I invite you to pick ONE mundane routine you do daily that feels like a "have to" rather than a "get to." Maybe it's making your bed, preparing lunch, or even your commute.

How might you transform it into a mini ritual? Maybe add music, a moment of intention, or pair it with something you actually enjoy? What tiny element of joy or meaning could you infuse into this necessary task?

P.S. - If you’ve tried replying to my newsletter and gotten bounce backs, sorry! Been trying to figure that out, to no avail just yet. But, if you are interested in participating in my Spotlight Feature, sign up here.

_{¿Qué dijo? / What did she say?
recuerda - remember
pero - but
verdad - right}