Finding Ground with havaianas: 5 Rituals That Energize Me When Everything Feels Chaotic
My Non-Negotiable Habits
by Ry Velasco
Honestly? I used to think wellness had to be this whole expensive thing, like fancy retreats or complicated morning routines just to feel centered. But I’ve realized it’s the small stuff that makes the biggest difference in how I feel day to day. Here’s the 5 rituals that fill my cup:
1. Dressing the Mood
It might seem small, but changing my clothes is one of my quickest ways to shift how I'm feeling. When I put on something that feels right, it's an instant confidence reset— suddenly I'm back to myself again.
Whether it's that burgundy dress that makes me feel elegant while I'm cooking, or comfortable clothes and my reliable havaianas for organizing my space, what I wear becomes part of the ritual itself. The right pieces don't just look good, they help me feel more like myself.
2. Kitchen Therapy
More than food, it's grounding in motion. There's something deeply meditative about washing vegetables, chopping herbs, feeling the textures in my hands. The kitchen becomes this sacred space where I'm not just nourishing my body, but creating moments of presence.
Even the simple act of preparing ingredients becomes a form of mindfulness. No rushing, just being with the process. Working with my hands and focusing on textures, smells, and simple tasks naturally brings me into the present moment.
3. Reading Books for the Mind
Words that water me. Not just reading for fun, but reading to grow. I choose books that challenge me, that make me think differently about myself and the world. It's active learning disguised as quiet time.
These aren't just entertainment, they're tools for expansion. Each page becomes an opportunity to understand something new about myself or see the world from a different perspective. Reading for growth creates space for new perspectives and deeper self-understanding without feeling like work.
4. Decluttering
Clearing space, clearing mind. Letting go of the mess so my head can breathe too. There's something powerful about creating order in my physical space. It creates order internally too.
When I'm sorting through things, deciding what stays and what goes, I'm also sorting through thoughts and emotions. I'm usually sitting on the floor for this, and having my havaianas on makes the whole process feel more grounded. The external work becomes internal work without me even realizing it. Physical organization creates mental clarity. The act of choosing what to keep mirrors the process of mental decluttering.
5. Emptying My Head Onto Paper
Making space inside by letting it spill out. Some of my clearest thinking happens when I stop trying to keep everything organized in my mind and just let it flow onto pages.
Whether it's stream-of-consciousness writing, working through a problem, or just brain-dumping everything that's swirling around, the act of writing creates space. It's like cleaning out a cluttered drawer in my mind. Getting it out of my head and onto paper makes room for clearer thinking.
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These aren't just habits, they're anchors. Ways of staying connected to myself when everything else feels chaotic.
Real wellness is messier than it appears online. It's doing these things imperfectly, but with intention. Break the rush by identifying what genuinely grounds you, not what looks good in a story. Protect those small moments.
love,
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