Rituals and Small Acts of Presence
How Simple Practices Can Slow Time and Deepen Your Experience
It’s never been more difficult to be present. Our attention is constantly pulled in a dozen directions—notifications, breaking news, endless content streams, the hum of a world that never seems to quiet down.
Even in our moments of rest, distraction lurks, keeping us from fully sinking into the here and now.
I’ve personally struggled with this my whole life. As a creative person, being highly attuned to my environment can be both a gift and a challenge. In the right setting, I can become obsessively focused and completely absorbed in my work—but in other situations, that same sensitivity makes me highly distractible, my attention constantly shifting and fracturing.
It’s a constant push and pull.
No matter how many overused self-help slogans we hear, presence isn’t something we can just flip on like a switch. It takes effort, practice, and sometimes, structure.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of rituals—tiny, sacred acts that have the power to slow time and make life feel more artful.
Rituals and small practices create pockets of stillness, moments where life softens and deepens—and as someone who craves depth of experience and relief from an increasingly anxious, chaotic world, I’ve come to depend on them.
Maybe, just maybe, they hold the key to that elusive sense of presence that internet yoga moms insist is merely a choice.
What Are Rituals, Really?
Rituals are often thought of as grand or ceremonial, but in reality, they can be small, personal acts that carry meaning.
Ritual, Routine, or Habit?
Rituals, routines, and habits are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. The key difference lies in intention.
Habits are automatic behaviors—things we do without much thought, like brushing your teeth or instinctively checking your phone in the morning. They’re built through repetition and don’t necessarily carry meaning.
Routines are structured sets of actions, often done in a specific order. They help create consistency, like a morning workout or a bedtime wind-down. While routines can be meaningful, they’re often practical—ways to get things done efficiently.
Rituals, however, transform the ordinary into something meaningful. They are acts infused with presence and intention. Making coffee can be a habit, but preparing it slowly, savoring the aroma, and fully experiencing the moment turns it into a ritual.
Habits and routines can become rituals when approached with mindfulness, but rituals aren’t necessarily habits or routines—they’re about presence, not just repetition.
Rituals ground us in the present, offering a sense of connection—to ourselves, others, or something greater. For me, rituals are something to return to in any moment, whenever I need stillness and presence the most.
If you're looking for inspiration, here are a few of my favorite rituals.
Simple Rituals for Stillness
These are small, sensory-rich rituals that bring a sense of calm and presence—meditations, in my book.
Making Coffee (or Tea) with Love
I’ll admit: Living in Italy for several years changed me. I don’t know how I ever lived without the Italian moka pot before, and my old coffee habits are history.
Using the moka is a rhythmic process that engages touch, scent, and sound. Rinsing it (cleaning it with soap is basically illegal in Italy), filling the bottom chamber with water, scooping the grounds and leveling them, twisting it all together, and waiting for that first bubbling whisper—it feels downright artistic.
But even if you don’t use a moka, bringing a little extra care and intention to preparing your coffee or tea can be a grounding ritual.
Morning Reading Sessions
I don’t know about you, but I rarely read at night. Instead, I love to savor a few chapters first thing in the morning (with my coffee). At the very least, this makes me feel like I started my day with something peaceful and meaningful before dealing with life’s demands and responsibilities.
Replacing Noise with Calming Audio
I tend to get overwhelmed easily by too much sensory input—especially sound. Noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver, and binaural beats help me shift into relaxation, ease anxiety, or simply tune out the world when I need to.
I usually turn to one of the Binaural Beats playlists on Spotify, but I also love Weightless by Marconi Union—a track designed with sound therapists and known as ‘the world’s most relaxing song’.
Playful and Quirky Rituals
Rituals don’t have to be serious—they can be lighthearted and fun, too.
Smiling at Dogs
I can’t help it at this point—I always smile at dogs when I see them. It’s an instinct, and a little moment of shared joy. Dogs exist so effortlessly in the present, and for a split second, locking eyes with one feels like a reminder to do the same.
It’s a fleeting exchange, yet somehow, it slows time and sharpens the colors of the day.
Taking Photos of Your Feet (No, Not Like That)
There have been various times in different countries that I’ve found myself floating blissfully in a body of water (one of my favorite activities). In those moments, I’ve noticed my feet against the backdrop and wished that I could capture the euphoric feeling in a photograph.
A handful of times, I have (much easier in a pool than the middle of the sea).
While it most definitely sounds silly, it’s a small act of presence—a visual reminder: I’m alive, I was here, this was real, and it was beautiful.
Creating Memes in Art Museums
I’m a big fan of the arts and love spending time in museums—but my sense of humor often takes over. It’s become a ritual of mine to turn classic artwork into memes whenever I visit.
Rituals to Romanticize the Everyday
Rituals that transform ordinary moments into something beautiful.
Stopping to Photograph (and Smell) the Flowers
Flowers are everywhere, inviting us to pause, breathe, and experience a moment of awe. For years, I’ve made a ritual out of photographing them wherever I go. What makes it feel sacred isn’t just the act of taking a photo—it’s the noticing. The colors, the delicate details, and the lighting.
Cooking Romantically
Preparing a meal can be a beautiful ritual. I love slowing down and savoring the process, playing some music, pouring a glass of wine, and plating the food with care. All of this turns cooking into an act of love—whether it’s for myself or for others.
Bringing Your Own LED Lights
Maybe I’m a bit over-zealous about LEDs, but in my experience, they can transform even the most simple space into a warm, inviting sanctuary.
Whether it’s fairy lights in a hotel room or a portable mood lamp in an Airbnb, lighting shifts the energy of a place, heightening the experience.
Finding Stillness and Depth in a Restless World
Rituals may not quiet the chaos of the world around us, but they can change how we experience it—bringing us peace, pulling us into the present, and deepening the colors of our days.
Whether it’s the warmth of a morning coffee ritual, the quiet magic of pausing to photograph a flower, or the simple joy of smiling at a dog, these small acts remind us to be here—fully, intentionally, and with a little more wonder.
Maybe presence isn’t something we need to force, but something we nurture, one ritual at a time.