By now, you probably know that I am a big believer in making self-care a ritual. Self-care can be any action you take that brings you peace, makes you feel nourished and helps you cope with the stresses of life. To make it a ritual simply means that you bring intention and ideally, consistency, to your actions. Rituals have been used since the beginning of time, as both daily practices and to honor momentous occasions, holidays, rites of passage and so much more. The beautiful thing is that many of the tools used for rituals in back in the day are still very much available to us!
In these tumultuous times of chaos and technology overload, I have come to appreciate and rely on my simple, yet powerful, tools for self-care more than ever. I thought I would share a few of them in hopes that they may soothe and comfort you, too!
Palo Santo: This sacred wood comes from mystical trees in Central and South America and is part of the same family that brings us frankincense, myrrh, and copal. It can be used to cleanse your personal energy, your home and any objects that you bring into it (such as crystals). Palo santo has the most wonderful, uplifting scent that raises your vibration before meditation and in spiritual ceremonies. I like to light a stick when I wake up in the morning, before I meditate and when I come home after a day in the city, around so many people. The scent of palo santo instantly helps to clear my mind and make me feel at peace! You can find it in your local Whole Foods / Whole Body section or on Amazon.
My Journal: All you need is a notebook and pen or pencil for this ritual! Of course, a mug of something warm and delicious is a nice addition (check out that Sacred Beauty mug with original logo!). Journaling can be really anything we want it to be; an account of our lives, random thoughts, gratitude lists, prayers, etc. Although I aspire to write in mine everyday, that doesn't always happen-- and that's okay! It's always there for me when I need it the most, usually in times of stress. I like to just do a "brain dump" and allow whatever thoughts and emotions that are pressing on my heart to spill onto the page. And I always feel better, clearer afterwards. This is my favorite notebook brand for journaling in or get started with Your Beauty is Sacred Journal!
Crystals: These naturally gorgeous gemstones have been used for physical, emotional and spiritual balance and healing since ancient times. We have seen this belief represented throughout the history of many cultures, including Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Chinese and Indian. While we may not be able to prove in scientific terms how crystals actually hold and emit different energies, we can benefit from them all the same. I have always been drawn to their beauty and the feelings I get when I hold them. Some of my favorites are rose quartz (pictured here), because it symbolizes love of all kinds and clear quartz, which is a great universal stone. Personally, I don't need proof that crystals "work", I think that if you believe in their power, they will serve you in positive ways. That said, there is much to learn about crystals and if you want to know more, I recommend this book!
These are 3 of the most treasured tools in my self-care practice. In sharing them, I realize there is so much more to say about each one! I will be talking more extensively about them and how to create Sacred Beauty Rituals in my upcoming Sacred Beauty Collective Live and Online Programs. If you're in NYC, be sure to join us for the preview event on March 1st and if not, stay tuned on Instagram for updates on how to join us!
What are your simple tools for self-care? I would love to hear from you below!