There are things that I do every single day that are part and parcel of how I honor and care for myself. They’re such a part of how I organize and move through my days that I don’t even really think about them anymore. But once upon a time it was a struggle to imagine doing more than 2 of these things on any kind of regular basis.

As I share my list of daily self-honoring rituals, I want you to know that it’s taken time, a lot of repetition and refinement, and a lot of generosity towards myself to make all of these practices a part of my daily life.

I’ll also say that without these daily acts of care and deep support for myself, I don’t know where I’d be. You see, all of this began 20 years ago when I started experimenting with different diets, cleanses, and forms of exercise. If I’m honest, I didn’t have a clue about how to take care of myself. There was a lot of trial and error going on then!

So… it’s been a journey, and it’s still unfolding. I’m still listening, still refining, and still looking to elevate how I care for and honor myself. Because when I do, everything and everyone around me benefits.

Here are 10 non-negotiable self-honoring rituals I incorporate into my life:

1. Sleep – I love sleep, and I do my best to get a minimum of 7.5 hours a night… more if I can. I’ve also discovered that getting enough sleep is more about going to bed at a reasonable hour than it is about waking up later… and this requires both planning and devotion to self! In recent years I’ve had great difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, and I’ve picked up many tools and tips along the way to help me with this. There are many, many reasons for sleep disruptions and difficulties. Learning what those are and how to best support them has changed my life and my health for the better.
2. My Daily Morning Ritual – I’ve learned that without some semblance of a morning routine, I feel a bit adrift and unfocused throughout the day. This is because my morning ritual helps me set the tone for the day (rather than the day setting it for me). I take a few moments to check in with myself and my needs, get clear on what’s really important for the day (and what’s not, because sometimes it feels like everything is important…). I also give some much appreciated love to my physical body and tune into my inner wisdom. When all of these parts of me are on line and dialed in, I’ve discovered I can handle anything that comes my way.
3. Movement – I am someone who needs to move her body in some way, every day. Even if it’s just a little stretching, or 10 minutes of yoga (with my son doing his version of yoga right next to me), or a walk outside, it makes all of the difference for me. I have less pain in my body, I’m more mentally focused, and I’m more emotionally “fluid” for the day. The time I give to moving my body pays enormous dividends for me throughout my day.
4. Supplements –These past few years I’ve been very ill, and I just couldn’t even get through my day without the support of extra vitamins, minerals and herbs. Today that’s not so much the case, but I can still tell the difference in my body and my energy when I take them, and when I don’t. So many women are living with significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies that become more and more problematic as they get older. I’ve seen my client’s lives be transformed with the simple addition of magnesium, B and/or D vitamins. Even if you eat an amazing, clean diet, high quality supplements are a super way to honor yourself and your body.
5. Aligned Eating – So often when we talk about diet and eating, we immediately think about what we should be eating. It’s true, what you eat has incredible ripple effects on the rest of your life. When it comes to eating, no matter what it is, I recommend you choose the highest quality you can for yourself. But to me, aligned eating is also about how I eat, when I eat, and why I eat. When I’m eating what serves me best, in the way that feels best to my body, at the time of day that’s most appropriate for that meal, with the right intentions behind it, I feel amazing. When I don’t, I don’t.
6. Hydration – I live in a semi-arid, high altitude climate. Just about everyone walks around with a water bottle in hand because it’s so dry.  But even when I’m traveling elsewhere, I make drinking good quality water a priority for myself. My body and brain function better when I’m hydrated. And my appearance definitely benefits from drinking a lot of H2O, too. I’ve learned how much water I need to drink every day and I have specific times of the day when I do a majority of my drinking to ensure I’m getting enough. It’s one of the best daily investments I make in myself and my physical health.
7. Beautification – Even when I was a little girl, beauty was important to me. Back then I always felt like beauty was out of my reach, but today I find ways to bring it into my daily experience however I can. Whether it’s making my bed every morning so my bedroom looks tidy and neat, or keeping my work space as clutter and paper free as possible… Or setting the dinner table with placemats and cloth napkins and lighting a candle to burn while we eat… or buying fresh flowers for myself just because… the impact is big.
8. Connection – Connection is a priority to me. I maintain regular uplifting, supportive, reliable and trustworthy connections with friends and loved ones, and I’d have it no other way. I also maintain connection to myself through body awareness and deep listening to my inner wisdom. I sustain that connection by recognizing my desires when they arise, by feeling my feelings as they ebb and flow throughout the day, and by tuning in to something greater – meditation, contemplation, inspiration via books, time in nature, music, laughter, day-dreaming. We all crave connection. It’s a powerful way to honor yourself.
9. I Say NO – I’ve had to learn how to do this, and every day is an opportunity for me to refine how I say a clear no when it’s appropriate. There are still times when it feels uncomfortable for me to not be a “yes girl”, but honoring what’s true for me in this way has been nothing short of revolutionary. Because I’ve learned to say no, I’ve discovered that I’m much more able to clearly and confidently say yes to the things that are truly aligned, feel good, uplift, inspire, fill my cup and help me honor all of who I am. Now, am I walking around shouting “NO!” at people? Uh-uh. But in cultivating my clear no, I’ve become more considerate of others, and more discerning around the best choices for me. Self-honoring at it finest!
10. Daily Evening Ritual – I’ve learned the benefits of bookend-ing my day with rituals, so my nighttime routine is just as important to me as my morning one is. My evening ritual really helps me slow down and unwind from the day, come back to myself, reconnect with my body and my inner wisdom. Everything I do has the intention of allowing rest, relaxation, and rejuvenating sleep come easier than it might otherwise. It also sets the tone for the next day. When I’m well rested, well cared for, and in tune with myself and what I need, I’m far more capable of aligning the next day with what is true for me.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas, and even some inspiration, for how you can start honoring yourself more every day. There are days when I do more to care for myself, but these are my 10 non-negotiables. As you can see, they all serve different aspects of who I am.

Maybe pick one idea that stood out for you and try it out for yourself. Notice how it changes things for you. Practice it, refine it, and really make it yours.

This is your life. It will be as amazing as you allow it to be. Why not start with one day and see?