Anchor Rituals: More than just Routine
There are tens of daily routines, but which one is your anchor? That one thing you do to attain that meditative state for a few seconds, before, during, or after the day’s hustle-bustle.
I share photographs of sunrises and sunsets on Instagram, but nothing else. I get enticed by the play of sunlight on the natural beauty of trees, leaves, clouds, mountains, fog, and sometimes even persons. For me, these are the sights to behold, more than architecture, dresses, celebrities, or fancy recipes.
Some people mock my posts, even close ones. The lack of variety is not lost on me—it's the same sun every day. However, some discerning viewers stayed with me, finding something new and beautiful every time. They were as humbled as I was by the sights of mighty nature. For me, the sunrise changes every day because I see the sky change every day—sometimes the cloud formation differs, and so other times the position of the sun against the horizon changes due to seasonality. The sunrise that I catch on my travels becomes a really unique click.
I picked up this habit of observing sunrises from my father. As long as I can remember, he has woken me up by 5 a.m. to watch the sunrise. It was our daily ritual—to go for morning walks and observe how the young, orange sun rises majestically. He would draw my attention to the wonders of nature—how the birds start their day, how the light overcomes the darkness of the night. It was full of surprises for my little, developing brain. So now, my grownup brain still remembers the joy it felt then and recreates it every time I see a sunrise.
I continued doing this when I went to college. One day, I witnessed a really ethereal scene. As I was walking across the manicured grass of the college premises at 6 a.m., I saw a bed of diamonds. I was shocked and stood still. They were a thousand dewdrops glittering against the slanted sun's rays. I behold that special moment in my memory and revisit it time and again.
Today, watching the sunrise reminds me that I have another day to work on my goals. Another set of 24 hours to learn and grow. It lifts me up with its beauty when I am sad. It humbles me with its grandness when I am euphoric.
I do this every day, every 24 hours. not once a week. The rhythm of 24 hours is important for me. Subconsciously, I expect to see the sunrise after waking up and the sunset at the end of my office work. I find that my friends also have daily routines that are almost unmissable rituals for them. One of them has to walk alone at a high pace in the evening to regain her sense of being. Another has to spend time in her balcony garden at 8 a.m. to kickstart her day.
I've realized that all we really require to maintain our sanity is a simple daily routine. Finding a sense of comfort in something that is always available is a gift. Whatever happens, this one thing is always going to be there. Whether it’s a phone call to a sibling, a game of cards with family, or a small hobby,
Being able to anticipate something each day might be quite advantageous. By taking even just 5-10 minutes to do our daily ritual, we can give ourselves a chance to recharge. The daily routine can help us find peace when life gets overwhelming.
So next time life gets overwhelming, think about your daily routine to find which one is your anchor ritual—that unmissable thing that takes you into a joyful meditative realm. Life is tough! If a simple daily routine can give us the strength to carry on, then we better have it and keep it.
P.S. Here is the link to my Instagram, with select pics of sunrise and sunset