Rituals for life balance and clear mind

As far as I can remember, in the family I grew up in, we were always in action. Weekends, evenings, days off – everything was planned and organized to go somewhere, do something, and help someone. I inherited this perception of life. But as I started living independently and perhaps a bit tired of constantly running, I began asking myself, "Is this the only way to be?" When you’re running – everything is only felt on the surface, but I long for depth. In relationships, activities, words, and silence.

Over the past 10 years, my thoughts have gradually, unconsciously, led me down the path of exploration. On this path, I met many wonderful women who, while rushing, manage to be not just enough but, I would say, even better versions of themselves. What connects these women? Rituals – tiny, innocent, what might seem selfish, but in reality, conscious gestures that allow one to breathe away from the noise of the world and find true inner balance.

Scented candle by a coffee or tea cup

Entering a home where candles are burning, even before seeing them, creates a sense of warmth and coziness. The gentle warmth of the candles and their subtle scent (sometimes even a touch of resin) stimulates the senses, inviting the brain to be curious and the body to relax. And when you finally see the flame, a feeling of coziness and calm washes over you. The flame encourages you to dive into your world, where silence settles, and thoughts begin to soar, not knowing the limits of time or distance.

My job is quite fortunate – I can occasionally work from home. And guess what, a 5-minute ritual helps me calm down and start my day with focus? Yes, that's right – a morning cup of tea with my favorite scented candle, or even several of them. Or, if I have a knitting session with a friend, we light a whole tray of candles. It’s nice to have a friend who shares this little obsession 😍.

Listening to music that captivates you

Music has been with me for a long time. Eight years in music school made me a huge fan of it. Through music, I can change myself. Twelve years ago, during my first business trip to Vietnam, I would listen to 30 Seconds to Mars' "Closer to the Edge" every morning. I really needed energy to start the day after an endless amount of work, ready to conquer the world. At that time, I also discovered Sel's "Aš žiūriu į tave pasauli" and Coldplay, whose music has been with me ever since.

Music has an incredible power to evoke emotions and moods. During quarantine, I had several "dance breaks" to lift my spirits and get my body moving, as well as clear my mind from work. Michael Buble’s “Everything” would lift me out of any mood.

For my husband and me, music is our glue. Various concerts are one of our favorite activities, where it feels like we become one. Music truly brought us together… It really can be the key to the soul, allowing us to open our feelings and think about what’s truly important, sharing that with someone special if we dare to invite them into this experience.

Facial care ritual

The evening facial care ritual is not only about taking care of my skin but also a small date with myself. I have my favorite night mask and cleansers, whose scent and texture please me every time I use them. I take a deep breath, massage my skin with a gentle brush, and simply enjoy the moment.

This ritual allows me to not only care for my appearance but also to accept my body with love and gratitude. It’s a way to accept myself as I am: mature, with wrinkles and sun-kissed spots, but at the same time, perfect in this moment because I will never be as young as I am today. This ritual is a way to stop and embrace myself when the whole world forces me to run. Although this ritual came into my life a bit late, I’m so glad I started allowing myself to take care of myself without guilt.

Writing in a journal

Sometimes, simply writing down your thoughts is a great way to get rid of the buzzing in your head. Without expressing strong emotions with words, you may not notice how anxiety gradually takes over, creating all sorts of scenarios and leading you down the darkest paths of potential outcomes. By picking up a pen or opening a blank page on your computer, you give yourself a tool that becomes a therapeutic process.

Find a quiet place, sit down with your favorite writing tool, and just write whatever comes to mind. It could be a simple sentence expressing your mood or an entire line about what’s important to you. This simple ritual helps you connect with your inner state and explore it, gradually enabling you to understand and release it.

I have used this therapeutic miracle several times in life – when things were very, very dark. It’s as if I wrote letters to myself, to the other version of me, who would look at those words from a distance of time and think, "How many emotions have I felt, and how their intensity changes with time, leaving only the lesson learned, which (I hope) I won’t have to repeat in life."

Meditation with scents

Meditation not only calms the mind but also allows for a deeper connection with inner peace. But what if you add aromatherapy to it? Choose a scent that relaxes you: lavender, rosemary, lemon, or chamomile. Close your eyes, focus on the scent, and let your body relax. Each note of the fragrance can create a sense of fullness, filling your heart with warmth and harmony.

I have participated in group meditations led by experts in "Inner Dance". And it’s such a paradox – you’re in a group of people, but with your thoughts and feelings, you’re alone, completely detached from everything, forgetting that anyone else is even there.

Warm bath ritual with herbal infusion

After a long workday and a stressful period, there’s nothing better than a warm bath. My little one and I constantly compete for the last bath bubble. Herbal infusions or essential oils are a must in this ritual, as they help relax muscles and add a pleasant fragrance.

I lie in the bath, close my eyes, and simply enjoy the moment. It’s a wonderful way to take care of myself, stop, and immerse in silent tranquility. Every second in this bath, gently caressed by the water, fills my heart with warmth and leaves a wonderful feeling that I want to hold onto for a long time.

A walk in nature

I was never an active promoter of walks in nature. But when things were really bad with my thoughts and energy balance, I took my neighbor’s advice. The Oak Grove in Kaunas is truly one of the greenest places in the city, right in the middle of it. Without much effort, I found it to be the simplest way to escape all the worries: I took rollerblades, and despite my fears and with quite a bit of life experience, I ventured out to find nature and experience its wonders.

If you want to start too – whether it's a park, a forest, or a beach – it’s a time when you can meet yourself. Allow yourself to walk calmly, observe your surroundings, and create your small, quiet ritual in nature’s embrace. Nature has an incredible ability to calm the mind and fill the heart with peace.

Sport

There’s nothing better than sports to break free from the daily routine and feel how your body and mind come alive. Whether it’s running, yoga, or just an energetic walk – sports allow you to be with yourself, feel the strength of your body, and free your mind. Every workout not only strengthens your body but also gives you an incredible sense of self-confidence.

Physical activity has a direct impact on our mood – it releases endorphins, which are often called "happiness hormones". These hormones ensure that we feel better, handle stress more easily, and maintain a positive outlook on life. At the same time, exercise helps improve sleep and reduce anxiety levels, so after an intense workout, you might feel much calmer and refreshed.

Moreover, every achieved goal in the gym – from the first running lap to a harder workout – not only strengthens the body but also adds value to your self-confidence. When I see progress in my physical fitness, it directly reflects in my daily life. I’ve returned to active sports only 2 months ago, but even now, I see that I don’t want to stop, and my minimal expectations of 2 days a week have grown to 4 days. I’m already much more confident and ready to face challenges that I was before seemed too exhausting or impossible to overcome.

Sport is not only physical activity but also self-discovery. Every workout becomes an opportunity to stop and breathe, to find balance between mind and body. If you're looking for a way to give yourself more energy and strength, start with sports – it will fill you with warmth and bring new inspiration. For me, sports open up "chakras." During or after it, a rain of thoughts pours down, creativity sticks its nose out and loudly reminds me that I can do a lot. I’m even curious to see what happens after six months, or a year...

The End

Small rituals are not just everyday mechanical actions, but also an opportunity to return to yourself, stop, explore, feel, and learn something new about yourself. These are moments when we can forget the noise of the world and be with our inner being, asking how it lives, how it feels, and what it wants. Responsibilities force us to run a marathon, during which we might even forget to breathe. Take care of these moments, and your soul will always be full of warmth, and your heart – calm. It’s a small gift to yourself to bring balance, happiness, and sanity back into life.