Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection and Ritual Practices
Rituals and routines help us create a baseline of behaviour and predictability. And right now, with so much uncertainty surrounding us, our rituals are more important than ever.
What is a ritual?
Rituals are mindful practices, rooted in intention and self-attention that nurture our wellbeing. They allow us to slow down and pause, take a breath and reconnect with what we really need. Rituals bring deeper meaning and enjoyment, and often connect us to something larger than ourselves.
Examples of rituals include meditation, cleansing your space with palo santo, journaling, taking a warm bath, baking, drawing, pranayama, morning stretches, eating a meal in silence, taking a daily walk, practising positive affirmations, or pulling an oracle card. The options are limitless. In this post, we’re going to focus on journaling and we’re sharing a few prompts with you at the end of the post!
Why are rituals important?
Rituals provide comfort. They give us a sense of control when life gets challenging and they support our need for balance and structure. Rituals provide rhythm to our days, and we generally feel more equipped to deal with stress and anxiety if we’re engaging in them consistently.
The beauty of rituals is that they don’t need to be elaborate. It’s not about how much time you spend on them or how spectacular they appear, it’s the effort and intention you put into them. A ritual can be as simple and effective as drinking a warm tea first thing in the morning and really paying attention to your senses. How does your mug feel in your hand? How does the tea taste? Can you feel it begin to warm up your body?
When should you do rituals?
You can do rituals anytime and anywhere to foster a greater connection to yourself and those around you. Many find it most beneficial to do rituals in the morning to set the tone for the day, or around bedtime to wind down and prepare for rest. Experiment with the time of day and see how engaging in ritual signals to your brain that you’re ready to make a transition or shift your mood and energy.
7 prompts to reflect on your energy and current rituals
Move to a quiet space, grab your journal, something to write with, your favourite warm beverage and let’s begin.
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How do you feel right now, in this moment?
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Why do you feel this way right now?
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In what ways have your rituals changed in the last few weeks?
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What’s something you’ve added to your rituals?
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What’s something you’ve taken away or paused?
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What is it that I need?
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What is the first action I need to take to give myself what I need?