The Power of Rituals

I’m a big proponent of rituals. Like all the weird stuff. Sage, dancing, emotional release (aka- screaming into the forest).

I know the extremes aren’t for everyone, but I think there’s a place for personal ritual in our lives. At this juncture of my life I feel drawn to rituals that honor and facilitate transitions.

I think we underestimate the impact of moving from one life experience into another.

Throughout my life there have been a few key transitions that I did not properly acknowledge.

Moving from Memphis to Minnesota

Childbirth

Leaving a long held job

Divorce

The result of rushing into a new life phase was confusion, rumination, and a generally unsettled feeling.

I’m fortunate that some of these transitions have repeated themselves and given me new perspective and opportunity.

I’ve given birth 3 times. As a working mother, I have explored a few types of leaves from work. Admittedly all too short and not properly celebrated. This is one that if I had it to do over again I would perform a ritual before returning to work. That ritual would pay gratitude to the time off with my baby. In the days before returning to work I would be fully present with my child. I would take time to identify what my goals and desires are for the next phase of work and life with a new baby. I would grieve the loss of time at home. I may also appreciate and welcome getting some freedom back. I would claim all these feelings and mark a big emotional and physical transition.

In 2012 I left a job that I loved but needed to move on from. I wish I would have marked that move with a ritual. Instead I carried guilt and negative emotions into my next phase (for years). I never cleanly broke from past expectations.

Recently I left a job that I held for almost 5 years. So I know that I needed to create an opening for the pain of leaving to flow out of me. I know that deep inside I carry emotions that need to be released.

I need to sage my mind and body;-)

I’m on the precipice of my next chapter. In order to lean fully into that I need to perform a ritual.