34. building self care habits...

​34.

The importance of rituals in self-care.

​When we are building a self care practice, the word ritual is a good word to use. Why? Often the more common word - routine - suggests a somewhat boring, or stagnant aspect. A ritual, on the other hand, is sacred. So is our time with ourselves. A self-care ritual is different from being on our own. It is different from spending time alone or doing other daily tasks that may look like self-care, f.ex. taking a shower, cooking a meal, working out, even massage.

A self-care ritual includes the acknowledgement that this time - as little as it may be - is to honor ourselves. To celebrate the relationship with Self.

Pretty much any activity can be a self care ritual. 

• Making a cup of tea or coffee: for many people their morning coffee is their ritual. Take a moment to sit quietly, to not think about the day but just to find your favourite cup, to sip it and simply be.
  
• Getting dressed from head to toe: living in Scandinavia, many of us forget what dressing nicely feels like for a big part of the year, as we simply try to protect our body from the cold. But especially, when building a new relationship with our body, it is a good idea to dress really nicely, do make up, do our hair - for no occasion whatsoever.
  
• Doing our face care: for many of us, there are just so many minutes and hours in the day. So it is best to turn one of our daily habits into a self care ritual instead. Be gentle and sweet to yourself, as you spread the lotion or cream over. Maybe say a few nice words to yourself in the mirror or even blow an air kiss, why not?
  
  
  

Sounds like self care rituals create more self-love, or is it the other way?
              They are indeed connected! Self care rituals build our self love.