The Importance Of Keeping Rituals + Routines

As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit earlier this year, my husband and I both realized we had some tough decisions to make when it came to how our family was going to respond to these crazy times we are all living in; and that was with FEAR...yes, you read that right- FEAR

Face
Everything
And 
Rise.

While most people we knew were frantic, and responded with the other type of FEAR,

Forget
Everything
And 
Run

As a family we kept moving forward and made the conscious choice to keep things as normal as possible when it came to our family activities. Obviously the activities we had control over, and rely on our already normal routines and rituals- except with more intention.

This is something I love discussing with my design client's who are in the middle of big life transitions, because these rituals we incorporate into our daily lives are also vital opportunities for self-care and self-love.

A terribly wise person once said, “You are the things you do every day.”On the upside, this means that I’m a husband-cuddler, early-morning meditator, and have a daily gratitude practice.

On the downside, it also means I’m a laundry procrastinator, have a terrible sweet tooth and waste a lot of time distracted on the internet when I’m not careful.  Not too mention my husband and I are work-a-holics...which means we like to disconnect as much as possible.  How that looks for our family- it is a ritual to travel often, especially during the summer months.  

We refused to let COVID-19 ruin that ritual for us.  With three vacations this summer, we were reminded that this summer Toscano family ritual was an important anchor to maintaining good mental health and dealing with anxiety during this pandemic. We were able to disconnect and feel some normalcy. 

Routines and rituals help us stay grounded, giving us a sense of security by providing structure.

They give us a sense of accomplishment. Routines and rituals typically have a beginning and an end, and we plan our day and time around being able to prioritize them and accomplish the most important tasks of the day for ourselves and our families.  

And our family's rituals look different to your family's rituals and routines- and that's okay.  And maybe this pandemic is the perfect opportunity for your family to incorporate new routines and rituals, or be mindful and intentional with the ones you currently have. And let's not forget...
​
Home is the container that holds your rituals.

Your home is so much more than four walls and a roof. It’s a sacred space, filled with personal meaning and stories. It is so important now more than ever to make conscious choices about what rituals and routines you fill your space with.

Pro Design Ritual You Can Incorporate In Your Life Today- 

Eat real meals, at a table, with beautiful place settings
No more of this “in front of the computer, right out of the container” business. At least not all the time! Make even the most run-of-the-mill meal something special. Break out those lovely placemats and cloth napkins. Set out your best China, light some candles, and put on some  music — even if you’re alone, eating leftovers. Ambiance is everything … and you deserve it!

We’re all creatures of habit — and our habits define us. So … what if we stopped going on “autopilot,” and instead made the very most of our daily routines and rituals? What if we infused them with luxurious awareness and self-love? What if, every single day, we took an extra moment or two to love ourselves?

Slowly but surely, we’d feel happier.
Calmer. More Resilient.
More loved and more loving...

Even during a pandemic.  

---

My family and I, at Orange Beach AL. August 2020