It seems like everyone feels this sense of confusion and an… unmooring… of societal norms at the moment. And in a lot of ways, that’s a good thing. The conventional ways of life for the past few centuries in the west have been, on average, not so excellent for anyone outside of a specific demographic and genital configuration/presentation.

But there is no transformation without loss. And one of the things we’ve lost is the power of ritual. People used to weave ritual and religion (for better and for worse) into their daily lives. A popular example being how medieval recipes would direct cooks to use prayers as timers before clocks were widespread, and everyone just knew the words and the cadence to these prayers. That social underpinning helped scaffold a sense of shared truth and a stable anchor from which to live.

The thing about mandatory social frameworks is that they can be as suffocating and limiting as they can be comforting and grounding. Community is necessary and wonderful… but if you go against communal norms, the punishments can be severe. One upside to all the modern chaos (speaking from a US perspective) is that we have fewer mandatory social frameworks and can invent our own.

I’ll write more about the broader social power of ritual someday, but for today I’m focusing on rituals for individual life scaffolding. Small, stable, repeated actions woven into the world like a trellis supporting a vine.

Enter symbolic rituals

Symbolic rituals are not about summoning fairies or divine intervention (unless that concept helps. But if you’re going to go that route maybe be a little bit careful just in case? Ya never know). Instead, they’re about designing small, meaningful actions that align with your values, goals, or the kind of person you want to be.

For example:

A daily affirmation that symbolizes “I choose to show up for myself.” A weekly practice where you write down three things you’re grateful for, even if they’re mundane (I know a lot of folks will roll their eyes at this one, and I get it, I’ve been there. But literally even just a coffee that’s not burnt can go in there). A metaphorical “reset” ritual before a big project, where you mentally clear your mind and reframe your approach.

These rituals are about creating a sense of control and coherence in a world that often feels unpredictable.

Is this just a morning routine by another name?

Yes. And no. The bad news is, most advice that’s out there isn’t new. Humans have pretty similar needs. The good news is, there’s a billion variations on the broad themes. If “ritual” makes it click more than “10xing your life,” or “active meditation,” then that’s the framework you should follow.

Why Symbolic Rituals Work (Especially If You Don’t Believe in Magic or Hustle Culture)

They Create Structure Without Dogma

Spiritual rituals often come with rules, dogmas, or a sense of “right” and “wrong.” Weirdly, so do the Productivity Hacks pushed by wellness gurus and grindcore bros. A lot of discussions around this concept are weirdly superstitious, from the magic angle or the wellness angle or the grindcore angle. I’m not sure why self-improvement and productivity are so rigid, but symbolic rituals are entirely your own. You can make them as simple or complex as you want. A single sentence or a 10-minute routine can work.

They Make the Mundane Meaningful

Even the smallest acts—like folding laundry, journaling, or lighting a candle can become symbolic. The meaning comes from your intention, not the object itself.

How to Build Your Own Symbolic Rituals

Here’s how to start:

1. Identify Your Core Symbols

What do you associate with stability, growth, or clarity? These could be:

A metaphor (e.g., “The Clockwork Oracle” for time management). A phrase (e.g., “I am the architect of my days”). A physical object (e.g., a stone you carry in your pocket to symbolize resilience).

Tip: Write down 3-5 symbols that feel personally meaningful to you. These will be the foundation of your rituals.

For me, I use the trellis metaphor I mentioned earlier. Daily rituals are a latticework of my will, precast so that the vines of my growth can be supported in my day to day.

2. Design a Recurring Action

Pair your symbol with a simple, repeatable action. For example:

Every morning, say, “I choose to show up for myself” while brushing your teeth. At the end of the day, write down one thing you’re proud of, no matter how small.

Pro Tip: Make it unavoidable. That’s easier said than done, but the fewer obstacles between you and the ritual, the more likely you are to do it.

3. Add a Metaphor for Deeper Meaning

Metaphors help you connect abstract ideas to real-world actions. For instance:

“My creativity is a garden I tend daily.” (Ritual: Spend 10 minutes sketching or writing.) “I am the captain of my ship.” (Ritual: Review your priorities before starting a task.)

The metaphor doesn’t need to be profound. It just needs to resonate with you. Especially if you’re not a super serious person, adding a fun goofy flavor can help.

4. Iterate and Refine

Rituals aren’t set in stone. If a practice feels forced, tweak it. If it works, expand it. The goal is to create habits that feel natural, not burdensome. That’s the upside of living in a society where we don’t have as many presets.

Intention is Magic

Symbolic rituals are about creating meaning through action. They’re a way to build structure in a world that often feels chaotic, without relying on mysticism or spirituality. Whether you’re trying to stay focused, reduce stress, or simply feel more in control, these practices can help. You’re already experiencing the downsides of a post-shared-ritual world. Why not have fun with the upsides, too?