You know how everyone talks about self care like it is a bubble bath or a spa day? Do not get me wrong, those are lovely, but when life feels like a tornado of laundry, deadlines, and dinner decisions, a bubble bath is not always going to cut it.
Here is what I have discovered. Strength does not come from grand gestures. It comes from the odd little rituals we repeat over and over, the ones that look silly from the outside but secretly hold us together.
I did not learn this from a podcast or a self help book. I learned it from my daughter, who started running around our living room with a blanket over her head declaring, “The Silly Ghost is here!” What began as a goofy moment turned into a nightly ritual that lifted us out of stress and reconnected us as a family.
That is the magic of rituals. They are small, they are strange, and they are surprisingly powerful. Today, I want to share three odd ones that can boost your emotional strength in ways you might not expect.
Ritual One: Embrace the Silly
I know what you are thinking. Silly? How is that a ritual? But hear me out.
One of the easiest ways to strengthen your emotional resilience is to intentionally create space for laughter and play. When my daughter introduced “Silly Ghost Time,” I realized it was more than just a game. It was a nightly reset button. We would laugh so hard that the tension of the day melted away.
Why it works: Laughter releases endorphins, reduces stress hormones, and strengthens social bonds. Beyond the science, it reminds you that life does not have to be so serious. Playfulness is an underrated form of strength.
How to try it:
- Make up a family character like our Silly Ghost
- Wear ridiculous socks to dinner
- Have a bad joke contest where everyone tells the worst joke they can think of
It does not matter what it is. What matters is that it becomes a repeated ritual of silliness that grounds you.
Ritual Two: Anchor Your Meals
Food is already central to our lives, so weaving rituals into mealtime makes them extra powerful. These do not have to be elaborate or Instagram worthy. In fact, the simpler they are, the more they stick.
For us, it started with Sunday Soup Night. Every week, no matter how chaotic life felt, we made soup together. Sometimes it was lentil stew, sometimes it was just veggie scraps thrown into a pot, but it always felt cozy. That ritual became a touchstone. No matter what else was going on, we knew Sunday meant soup.
Why it works: Anchoring rituals to meals provides stability. Meals already have built in repetition, which makes them the perfect place to layer in traditions. And sharing food, especially vegan food made with love, builds connection and reinforces values.
How to try it:
- Pick one night a week for a consistent meal theme
- Start a gratitude ritual where everyone shares one thing before eating
- Light a candle or play the same song at the start of every meal to mark the moment
These anchors become small but mighty ways to remind yourself and your family that you are grounded and that you are together.
Ritual Three: Mark Transitions with Intention
Life is full of transitions: work to home, busy to restful, day to night. Most of the time we rush right through them. But when you mark those shifts with rituals, you create pockets of strength that ripple through your whole day.
I started lighting a candle when I began work and blowing it out when I finished. It seemed tiny, almost too small to matter. But it became a powerful signal. Light on meant focus. Light off meant done. No endless checking emails after hours.
Why it works: Transition rituals tell your brain and body that it is safe to shift gears. They reduce stress, prevent burnout, and create a sense of closure. In a world where everything blurs together, that clarity is invaluable.
How to try it:
- Light a candle at the start and end of your workday
- Ring a bell before dinner
- Share one thing you are grateful for before bed
Marking transitions gives you little moments of control in a chaotic world. And that is strength.
The Ripple Effect of Odd Rituals
Here is the thing. These rituals may look silly, small, or even odd from the outside. But they are secretly building emotional muscles you will lean on when life gets tough.
The Silly Ghost reminded us to laugh when things felt heavy. Sunday Soup Night reminded us that nourishment is simple and consistent. Lighting a candle reminded me that I could set boundaries and find calm in chaos.
Strength is not about being stoic or doing it all alone. It is about finding those lifelines that hold you steady. And often, they are disguised as quirky traditions no one else even knows about.
Your Turn
This week, I want to challenge you to try one of these three rituals. Or better yet, notice one you already have and name it. Claim it. Protect it.
Because the truth is, you do not need a grand plan or a perfect routine to feel strong. You just need a few surprisingly odd rituals that whisper, “You are grounded. You belong. You can do this.”
And who knows. Maybe your own version of Silly Ghost Time is waiting to become the tradition that holds you together.
Kristyn Medeiros 