Reset Rituals

It’s hard just to flip a switch and “get over it” when you’re in a funk. When a chaotic (or sluggish) morning triggers reactionary impulses that overwhelm your willpower, it is sooooo very tempting to throw in the towel. “I’ve already gone off the rails,” you may think, “I may as well cave completely to:”

This despairing mindset

This destructive coping mechanism

This wave of anger

This dead-end path of avoidance and procrastination

But what if, instead of spiraling and giving up, you created some reset rituals to help you dust yourself off and get back on track so you can redeem the precious hours and minutes still left in the day? An official “do-over,” minus the time-wasting negative self-talk that kicks you when you’re down.  

Rituals signal a shift in focus and energy, helping you gently transition from one state of being to another. Just as the ritual of a warm bath, a picture book, and a lullaby aids little ones in transitioning to bedtime, lighting candles and burning incense at your icon corner cues a remembrance of God and a greater, eternal reality beyond your present trials and confusion.  

It is so very easy to slip into pessimism and aimlessness throughout the day. Reset rituals offer a fresh start and a jolt of positivity whenever needed! Instead of wallowing in shame, opt for growth through resilience and perseverance by establishing intentional signals for beginning again, and again, and again. If you need some inspiration, here is a reminder of just a few of our favorites!

A Reset Smoothie

Stress-induced sugar cravings, travel, or an irregular schedule are common obstacles to healthy eating. When I stray from my commitment to whole food nutrition, making a nutrient-dense smoothie is an effective way to get back on track with good choices for my body. The ritual of blending greens, berries, chia seeds, collagen powder, almond butter, etc., excites me again about feeling my best and fueling my goals. 

Ten Minute Tidy

When feeling unmotivated and overwhelmed, a Ten Minute Tidy ritual can be surprisingly effective for a quick energy boost. Clutter is visually and mentally draining. Pausing mid-work or study session for just a few minutes of vigorous tidying restores creativity and attentiveness. It is a real mood lifter!

3-2-1

If you’ve ever attended one of our retreats, you will have heard us refer to our 3-2-1 Ritual as a powerful reset for the body, mind, and soul during times of distress. It’s simple, accessible anywhere and anytime, and takes less than three minutes. It starts with three deep belly breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth, lowering your cortisol levels and calming your nervous system. Next, unhurriedly and deliberately say two Jesus Prayers (“Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”). Finally, take one minute of silence, quieting your thoughts and just being in God’s presence. This prayerful, intentional pause, can protect you from impulsive reactions and reestablish your connection to Christ’s strength and peace.

Brain Dump

If your mind is flooded with a thousand deadlines and to-dos, it can be difficult to stay locked in and productive. A Brain Dump ritual will spark clarity and motivation, helping you get focused and make steady progress toward your goals. Writing down everything in your head relieves your mental load, enabling you to identify your priorities, and capture creative ideas while they are still fresh. This is our go-to reset for easing mental overwhelm!

Constantly scanning the world for the negative comes with great cost. It undercuts our creativity, raises our stress levels, and lowers our motivation and ability to accomplish goals.

- Shawn Anchor, The Happiness Advantage

The other day, I fell prey to all kinds of distractions and became frustrated with my lack of self-control. All I could focus on was what I hadn’t achieved, and it took everything in me not to see the whole day as a waste. Around 6:00 pm, I finally found the wherewithal to turn things around by winding down with intention. I turned to edifying rituals to help me usher in the evening with calmness and gratitude, and to ensure I went to bed on time. A cup of tea, a good book, evening prayers, and essential oils all worked together to relieve my agitation and subdue my pessimistic perspective.

Funks are inevitable, but they shouldn’t become our default. Resist the urge to spiral by proactively engaging in healthy, light-filled habits that renew a weary spirit and foster an abundant outlook on your abilities and circumstances.