The difference between a routine and a ritual is not the action, but the attitude behind the action.
To some, a routine is getting up every morning, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, and going to work. It is not a meaningful part of our day, but it needs to get done so we do it. It’s a chore.
Rituals, on the other hand, are viewed as more meaningful practices. Often, there is symbolism involved, and a real sense of purpose. A big part of it is your subjective experience of the activity. I define the key differences as follows:
| Routines | Rituals |
|---|---|
| Minimal engagement. | Full engagement. |
| Tedious and meaningless. | Symbolic and meaningful |
| Externally motivated. | Internally motivated. |
| Life as a duty. | Life as a celebration. |
| Dull awareness. | Bright awareness. |
| Disconnected series of events. | Tells a story. |
| Little sense of belonging. | Sense of belonging. |
| Focus only on completion of tasks. | Focus on performance of tasks. |
Stay updated on new articles on psychology and self-improvement here.
February 2nd, 2010
Funny, I just wrote an article on the importance of implementing routines in order to allow for meaning in your life. Your article adds another dimension to the idea, and I found it very helpful
February 3rd, 2010
I too, found the article interesting. One of my resolutions this year was “to become a creature of habit” because I felt it would make me more productive. However, I’ve been having problems with the mundane tasks. I try to get them over with right away. I will try to work mindfulness into the mix
February 3rd, 2010
I have a habit of filling every possible mundane task (driving,
brushing teeth, cooking) with listening to audio books. It was a
great way to get through more books I wanted to read and to spend as
much time as possible escaping the realities of my life I didn’t want
to face.
I recently started facing those realities and now spend some of that
time allowing myself to think or be spoken to.
your concept of making those moments into rituals is a fantastic one;
finding the good in thos tasks and giving them a little positive
energy seems like it would add some energy back to your day and lift
your mood. I will try to do this today. (though I will still listen
to a bit of the Dark Tower VI today as well)
thanks
February 7th, 2010
@Daniel – Very cool! Glad you liked it! Routines are important – adding meaning to them is what transforms them into a ritual.
@Nana – Absolutely – that is exactly what you want to do! Adding mindfulness and meaning to even the most mundane of tasks makes them into a celebration – it makes them fun and keeps you motivated!
@Carlos – Listening to audio books is another good way to make the best use of those tedious tasks. It can also add an element of joy to them. Glad you enjoyed the post!
January 26th, 2012
Exactly what I needed to hear today. And what I had been looking for, too–something to support my new theory that it's not about forcing ourselves to do things we think we don't want to do, but about somehow learning to actually want to do them.