One of the ways to raise our happiness set point (yes, we all have one) is to create habits and rituals that best serve us.

I’ve been harping on the topic of habits and rituals for years, and when you think about it, it’s the small things that we choose to do consistently that move the needle forward for us. This is true in any area of our lives.

That said, we aren’t always conscious of our habits and repeated behaviors. The coffee or tea we pour first thing in the morning is a habit we no longer think about. We simply do it.

This is the beauty of habits. They become automatic—  for better or worse. So if we want to be happy, it behooves us to examine our daily routines and make sure they are moving us in the direction we want to go.

So habits become automatic, but what about rituals? 

The definition of a ritual is: a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to the prescribed order. A series of actions or types of behavior regularly followed.

There is some similarity between habits and rituals, but the difference is in the prescription and whether or not you consciously choose the behavior.

As we move into the last quarter of the year, it’s a good time to examine our winter habits and rituals and create some better ones if we so choose. If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that we do not have to go along with anything that doesn’t feel good or right for us. If you are still automatically doing things out of habit, starting a new ritual with a sacred intention can become a life affirming habit that will definitely make you happier.

The last quarter moon (one is coming up) has a beneficial energy of helping us let go of and forgiving old hurts and patterns. Spend a little time looking at your current habits and see if a new ritual would level it up for you. 

Which holiday activities do you enjoy and which ones not so much? Are there things you used to do and enjoy that you gave up doing? Why? Do you want to choose to bring some of those rituals back?

It isn’t too late to do a detox cleanse before the colder season arrives or simply de-clutter your home to make some room, both in your environment and energetically. These kinds of activities can be a catalyst toward transformational change.

Starting or resuming a meditation practice in the morning or pulling an oracle card each day can lead to greater awareness and appreciation.

If you haven’t seen my Goddess Inspired Life Oracle deck yet, find out about it here. It may inspire you to mindfully set some intentions that fulfill you. Happy habits make for a happier Goddess.

Blessings,

Gay