In a life where everything moves fast, where our attention is constantly pulled in every direction, it’s easy to lose ourselves, to lose our footing, to feel overwhelmed, unable to find a balance that truly suits us. After a low period, when my mental and physical state had hit rock bottom, I had to relearn how to take care of myself. To slow down. To breathe. And it all began with simple, repeated, comforting gestures: my rituals.

"Rituals are our intimate bubble, our chosen space. They say: I choose myself."

A Morning Matcha and a Moment for Myself

There’s no starting my day without ten minutes of stretching, followed by a cup of matcha to ease into the morning. When I have the time or the desire, I add a few minutes of meditation — but I give myself the freedom not to do it perfectly. Everything is still quiet, everything moves slowly, and I haven’t yet got caught up in the whirlwind ahead.

Across eras and cultures, rituals have always been part of human life. Some have become so “normal” that we forget they’re rituals at all: putting on perfume before leaving home, lighting a candle to settle into meditation, waking up and immediately writing down thoughts and dreams, what we now call journaling.

These familiar gestures bring us back to what matters: ourselves, and the present moment. They are our intimate bubble, our chosen space. To be shared, or not. They remind us that we are deeply human, seeking steadiness and simplicity.

The Matcha Ritual: Precision and Slowness

If we don’t know each other yet, you should know I’m an avid matcha drinker. At first, I savoured those moments in my favourite cafés, putting everything else on pause while I enjoyed my drink. Then I wanted to bring that quiet moment home, to make my own matcha.

Again, it’s an entire ritual, some even call it a tea ceremony. Every gesture and tool matters, requiring precision and focus. A bamboo scoop for the right amount of green powder, water heated to an exact temperature, a bowl where I whisk the mixture with a chasen in specific movements, then pouring it into my favourite cup.
My day simply cannot begin properly without a matcha in hand. And if I choose a matcha with adaptogens and mushrooms from Drink Life then I truly feel I’m taking care of myself and my wellbeing.

This time is never wasted. In a society where everything needs to move fast, caring for ourselves is essential and knowing how to slow down is a strength.

Scent as An Emotional Anchor

Perfume has this almost magical power: it transports us elsewhere, revives an emotion, a memory, a presence.
If I ask you to recall the scent of someone dear to you, I’m sure their face, and the notes of their perfume, come back instantly.

That’s what I love about rituals, especially applying perfume. A scent can carry us to another place, another moment. It’s magic, and completely out of our control. Our brain makes these associations on its own. It took me a long time to find a fragrance that truly felt like me (I’m very picky). And a perfume can ruin everything, or leave an unforgettable trace. When I go to yoga, during the final minutes of meditation, the instructor often burns palo santo. I adore that scent. For me, it’s instantly linked to that moment of disconnection, of calm, my breath slows, time feels suspended, and I’m anchored on my mat, right there, right then.

I also burn it at home when I feel tired or irritable, and as soon as the scent rises, I feel more at ease. Recently, I discovered that the Nebbia all’alba perfume oil had the same grounding power for me, bringing me back to the present moment, instantly washed over by a sense of calm.A fragrance or a scent can accompany a daily ritual and create a space that encourages  wellbeing.

Crafting Your Own Sanctuary

These repeated moments offer a real safe place of decompression. I look forward to evenings just to light a candle, such a simple gesture, yet it marks a real shift in my day and signals the start of a quiet evening. These small rituals may seem insignificant, but they are powerful. They say: I choose myself.

Here are a few rituals from creative and inspiring women, and simple ideas to explore:

-Preparing matcha mindfully

-Choosing a candle whose scent matches your mood, then taking a hot bath or shower

-Creating a dedicated space for yourself: a ritual corner with candles, perfumed oils for relaxation, a scalp massage comb (a friend gifted me one for my birthday : pure bliss, I use it mainly on my temples and neck)

-Slipping into your favourite socks when you come home

In a world pushing us toward productivity and performance, creating your own rituals become a gentle form of rebellion, a way back to simplicity and sincerity.

As simple as they may be, these gestures leave a powerful impact. They are precious moments, like a gift you yourself.

Written by Sabrina Sako — photographer, author, and content creator based in Paris. Passionate about storytelling, wellbeing, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.