The Ritual of Small Things: Finding Comfort in Everyday Checkpoints

Gabby
Sep 7
2 min read

Updated: Sep 27

Stack of books and steaming mug on a cozy blanket by a window. Text: "The Ritual of Small Things. Finding Comfort in Everyday Checkpoints." Warm tones.

The Anchor in a Fast-Moving World

When life moves at a pace that feels impossible to keep up with, it’s often the smallest rituals that keep us steady. They’re the quiet anchors we return to. The familiar little habits that ground us and bring texture to our days.

Why Small Things Matter

Daily rituals help create comfort, predictability, and meaning. For someone like me, I need those constants or else I feel scattered. Too often, we only celebrate the “big milestones”- graduations, promotions, birthdays - while overlooking the everyday rhythms that actually carry us through. The truth is, it’s not always the big moments that shape us. It’s the grounding, ordinary ones we build into our daily lives.

My Everyday Rituals

I think of my rituals as mini checkpoints, small markers in my day that remind me to pause, breathe, and reset.

Morning Coffee: Every day starts with coffee. On weekdays it’s usually a quick protein coffee I can take on the go. But on weekends, I slow down and make something a little “fancy” ...a coffee topped with cold foam. (For some reason, that cold foam feels like luxury in a cup.)
Afternoon Tea: During the week, I keep “teatime” alive. I started this ritual last year at work, and my students even help pick out the tea of the day. It’s a small treat that makes long afternoons more bearable, and it’s become something I genuinely look forward to.
Reading Before Work: My newest ritual is reading in my car before heading inside. I’m always early to work, at least 10–15 minutes, and instead of rushing in, I sit in the car and read. It transforms what used to be wasted time into a grounding moment that sets the tone for my day.

The Hidden Magic of Repetition

The beauty of these rituals lies in their repetition. They’re checkpoints, little moments to look forward to, reminders that the day is unfolding at its own pace. And sometimes, they hold memories too, like the mug I use for tea at work that was gifted to me by a student. These objects and habits become timeless markers, connecting us not just to the present but to people and moments we carry with us.

Your Turn: Creating Your Ritual of Small Things

Take a moment to think about your own rituals. Maybe it’s a playlist you always put on while cooking, a nightly walk, or lighting a candle before settling into your evening. Even the smallest practices can become grounding checkpoints in your day.

If you don’t feel like you have one yet, start small. Pick something simple and repeatable. A ritual that doesn’t have to be “productive,” just meaningful.

Because while big changes come and go, it’s the quiet ritual of small things that shape the texture of our days.

Side Quest Inspiration:

One of my favorite ways to create those small pauses is through junk journaling—a creative ritual that helps me capture tiny moments and memories. You can read more about it here: The Beauty of Junk Journaling: Finding Creativity in Scraps .