Finding Comfort and Meaning in Rituals

We decided to take work on the go last month and visit some family in Vancouver.

Vancouver used to be home for us. Visiting our high schools and driving through our old neighbourhood brought back lost memories that, strangely enough, did not feel familiar. Seeing how much the city had changed since we lived there was a good reminder that home is not a static place.

Home is a feeling of comfort.

Home is familiar, predictable and safe.  

Home is letting go of all your personas and being yourself.

Home can be the left corner of the couch, the worn-out leggings, the satisfying pasta dinners, or unwinding next to your pet.

Home is where we plug in and recharge.

We’ve all spent a lot of time at home in the last year, and whether intentionally or not, we’ve developed routines and rituals to keep us grounded in our day-to-day activities.  

But how can we develop our habits at home to make us feel whole and more productive and creative in return? Can we pursue comfort and still produce meaningful work?

Mason Currey asked himself that exact question before he started searching for what the most successful people do first thing in the morning or what artists and writers do to create and stay inspired consistently. His research led to a blog post that turned into a book, Daily Rituals, detailing over 200 routines by some of the world’s greatest minds. And turns out, they all struggled to balance procrastination and a combination of weird habits to stay inspired (Pfew, it’s not just me then).

Different from a routine, a ritual has a set intention behind the action. A ritual is almost ceremonial by tradition or culture.

And sometimes, pausing to reflect on a task, insert an intention, even if it’s a small one, we can add meaning to the process and feel more present while doing it.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together “ – Vincent Van Gogh

So, here is a small act that we’ve turned into a morning ritual, making French press coffee.

Making coffee is an act of self-care that starts the day, and with a little bit of intention to back the step-by-step process, it became a religious-like undertaking. By using quality tools, rich ingredients, and sentiment echoed cups; suddenly the mundane routine became an important part of the day.

Step 1:

Add coffee grinds to the French press. Use one heaping tablespoon for every 8 ounces (1 cup) of water.

It’s a time to make space for the unfolding of the day and notice your presence in the moment.  

Step 2:

Pour boiling water in 1/3 of the French press and let sit for 30 sec.

Wake up the senses. Hear the sounds around you and smell the coffee aroma.

Send a silent gratitude for the simple pleasures in your life.  

Step 3:

Gently stir.

Bring your attention to your feet and where you’re standing – on a ball of dirt, floating in the middle of absolutely nowhere. 

Step 4:

Add the remainder of the boiling water. Place the lid and wait for 4 minutes. 

Set the intention for your day. How do you want to show up in the world today?

Examples of intentions:

I intend to listen first today

I intend to be kind today rather than trying to be right

I intend to slow down and show gratitude wherever I can

Step 5:

Hold that intention in your mind and seal it by pressing the plunger down.

Step 6:

Pour yourself a cuppa!

Visualize your day and when you may have the opportunity to follow the intention you set.

During your meeting, perhaps? Or when you call your mom later.

By practicing routines and rituals that connect us to our body, we naturally start to feel more at home, at ease, and more ourselves, no matter where we happen to be.