I’ll be honest, the word ritual used to bother me. It felt a bit witchy or new age-y, but as I deepen my own personal growth and spiritual practice, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of a daily practice. A ritual doesn’t have to be a formal ceremony or done at a particular time every day, but the more consistent you can be with the practice, the more benefits you will receive.
As we approach the end of the year, it is a good time to go inward. It is also one of the best times to reflect and reevaluate. I always take the final month of the year to reevaluate, refocus and realign myself and my life.
A yearly practice I do is the closing down of the year. I always take some time before the new year to set intentions and call in more peace and love. Here is one of my favorite practices for more presence and peace.
Before we start the transition into the new year, we can close down the year with reflection as we welcome in the new year with intention, focus and more purpose.
What you will need from the outer world:
- A pen
- Paper
- A candle, incense or essential oil diffuser (my favorite)
What you’ll need from your inner world:
- An openness to the moment and desire to open your heart and trust the process
Instructions:
- Light a candle, incense, or use an essential oil diffuser. This tells your mind it is time to slow down and relax into the present moment. This carves out a dedicated time for self-care and self-love.
- Take some deep breaths in and out and settle into the moment. Close your eyes and drop into your heart.
3. Go on a future field trip: Imagine that you approach a large wooden door and you knock on it. As the door opens, you see yourself one year from today. It’s you—your future self invites you into the scene. Everything about this feels right and aligned. Your future self is strong, healthy, sovereign and powerful. They speak with grace and ease and an unapologetic nature that exudes from your energy of alignment and authenticity. You are at peace in your body and life. You are living your life in alignment with your values and integrity. What do they say to you? What message does your future self have for you? What guidance can they give you? Now, what message do you have for your future self? Take in this information and let it rest in your heart.
Now open your eyes, grab your pen and begin writing a message to your future self, one year from today.
- What did you see in the scene?
- Who are you?
- Who have you become?
- What did you need to let go of to become this version of yourself?
- What are you doing?
- How do you feel?
- Who do you look like?
- And what do you need to say, do and be for this person to live in their fullest expression?
Allow yourself to go deeper into your mind, as you release the inner critic and negative voices in the mind, and trust the messages that come to you. This is your future self talking to you and giving you guidance on how to best navigate this next phase of your life. Trust the process and unfolding.
You can finish the ritual by closing the letter with a message to your future self. What would you like to share with them? As you end the letter, fold it up and place it in an envelope you can set aside and open in one year.
You can take this practice deeper with my Future Field Trip audio meditation here.
*This ritual is inspired and modifed by "A Writing Ritual for Presence" in The Spirit Almanac by Emma Loewe and Lindsay Kellner
Beautiful, I am going to do it.
This is just what I needed to read! You made it so easy; I’m going to do it and I’m sharing this! Thank you beautiful soul! 🙏