5 Self Care Rituals to Celebrate a New Beginning

Starting a new chapter can sometimes take everything that we’ve got, whether you’re beginning a different phase of life, taking a leap of faith or starting a new project.

It’s at times like these that self-care becomes even more important; to help nurture ourselves through the transition and create the light and energy we need to keep taking those steps forward. 

So if a new chapter has begun for you, consider creating a one or two rituals that support your intentions for this new time in your life… 

MEDITATION
You don’t need to meditate for hours. Even ten minutes can make a world of difference and help to quiet your mind and stay focused on what’s really important to you.  My path to meditation began with just two minutes every evening for 30 days and now I have a regular daily practice which has given me so much, including a quieter mind and emotions that don’t spiral out of control quite like they used to.  

Try using one of our soy wax  meditation candles to enhance your daily practice. 

EAT WELL
Change can be unsettling for most of us and it can be more demanding than we expected.  This can raise our stress levels and then we’re much more likely to make bad food choices - just at the time when we need to do the opposite. A nourishing meal or snack can help to balance out your hormones and mood. So, resist the temptation to reach for high sugar snacks or highly caffeinated drinks. Create a ritual from making meals using nourishing ingredients that support your mind and body through your transition. 

JOURNALING
Even if you’ve never tried it, writing a journal can help you to chart the small steps that you’re taking and in time you will read back through the pages and see how far you’ve come.  Remember that you don’t have to commit to writing every day if that feels overwhelming, once a week or even a couple of times a month works too. Find a beautiful journal or notebook and pour your thoughts and feelings into it, it doesn’t even need to make sense or be in actual sentences. As you write, you’ll find that your mind becomes clearer and your mood is lifted.  

LET GO
I believe that to move forward we have to first let go. Don’t think for a minute that I don’t know that it’s easier said than done! And there can sometimes be so much to let go of. My advice is to start with the obvious things, the things that create the most emotion and the ones that your mind can’t help but revisit time and time again. The process of letting go can come in many forms and often benefits from a little forgiveness too (when the time feels right). I find writing it all down very therapeutic. When I'm done and I can’t write anymore, I then like to burn the paper and bury the ashes to bring a sense of completion and support my intention of letting go.         

GIVE THANKS
There are so many ways to do this – meditation, prayer, daily journaling - they’re all very simple and can be done at the start or end of your day. I use a combination of all three throughout my day but it’s important to find what works for you. You’ll be amazed at what a difference this can make to your life, especially at times of change. Here on a few more tips on creating a gratitude mindset.   

It’s my hope that these tips offer a small comfort while you make the changes that you need to in your life. Stay focused on what you want everything to look like at the end of this chapter in your life. Commit to small daily changes and celebrate them because every step forward is progress. 

AUTHOR: LEANNA DOOLIN

Co – Founder of holistic skincare brand, Pure Thoughts and advocate for women finding pause in their day to breathe deeply, give thanks and reconnect to what matters. Loves early mornings, dogs and books that you can’t put down.