How imposing structure on ourselves makes us calm and peaceful
A big part of my healing journey has been reconnecting with rituals from childhood.
Looking back, I now realize they gave me a sense of safety and order.
Each morning upon waking, I dressed, brushed my teeth, and carried my dirty clothes to the laundry room before sitting down to breakfast. Each evening after dinner, I took a bath, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. My caregiver allowed me to read or journal in bed if I struggled to fall asleep.
As I turned into a young adult and had control over my time, my desire for pleasure and the path of least resistance took over. Waking up early or doing anything as planned were out of the question. Caving in to my rebellious and undisciplined side, it was as if I was a child having a tantrum and getting away with it.
Luckily, when I started my own healing process, I tapped into memories of those rituals and recreated them for myself and my children, adding affirmations, gratitude and breathing for added self-care.