Rituals

I’ve always been drawn to rituals, but I have to confess that at this moment in my life,  I’m more in love with the concept of them than with actually practicing them. I have plenty of habits, but rituals feel different.  They carry intention, symbolism, and a sense of grounding that habits often don’t. I daydream about cozy, calming moments inserted into the chaos of my day: drinking tea, journaling, or meditating. However, in reality, I haven’t brought many of them into my life yet. 

However, one ritual I have consistently integrated into my life is lighting candles and incense on Sunday nights as I prepare to relax. Habits on Sunday evenings are essential to me, as they set me up for the upcoming work week. Sunday routines, such as meal-prepping, grinding coffee beans, and organizing my week, feel more like task-based habits than deliberate rituals. 

The ritual, though, of turning down the lights in my bedroom, lighting my Everlasting Candles, and burning some incense brings a sense of calm and contentment. It signals the time to wind down, quiet my mind and relax with my husband before we start our work week. Over the past few years, I’ve primarily used the Hibi 10-Minute Incense, originally purchased at Old Faithful Shop. I love the Deep Collection, which includes Oak Moss, Cedar Wood, and Ambergris. The woodsy, smoky, deeply nature-based scents really create a warm and cozy feeling for me. However, on a recent trip to Vancouver, we stopped by the Out & About store and discovered the Ichikō Ichie brand. We settled on the Tuberose scent, described as a light and creamy sweetness with floral and green notes. I used one of the sticks for the first time this week, and the scent was soothing but subtle. 

Though I may not have fully embraced all of the rituals I romanticize, I’ve found comfort and consistency in one small Sunday night practice. Lighting candles and incense has become my grounding ritual, a gentle cue to slow down, prepare for the week ahead, and settle into a sense of calm.