A new year is here. To reconnect with ourselves, we’re welcoming cleansing and meditative rituals into our lives.
Making hard and fast resolutions have never really been our beat. And as we envision what forms 2021 will take, this moment feels particularly fitting to seek out ritual rather than resolution. To embrace change and the cyclicality of life as we venture on a path of continual, gradual metamorphosis.
“We, as humans, are constantly evolving, and so, I've long believed that setting intentions vs goals is the key to successfully manifesting long-lasting change. As a gentle reminder: an intention is embodied and readily available whereas a goal is often quantifiable and rooted in the future,” says Passerby and founder of 3rd Ritual, Jenn Tardif. Many of the Passerbys we spoke to about the topic shared a similar emphasis. What’s resonated most across the board is approaching this year with gratitude, accountability, and presence.
on approaching 2021
All of our lives were recast in some way last year and continue to change as we move through time. One thing that the Passerbys we spoke to have learned to hold on to is an appreciation for all the positives life has afforded them. Acupuncturist Elaine Huntzinger is “approaching the year with tons of gratitude” as she takes stock of her and her family’s health and that she has “been able to continue working and helping people”.
For publicist Fatima Jones, heading into a new calendar year means slowing things down so she can “ease into the new year and live life with ease,”—the word is her spiritual “guidepost” for the year. She explains that her “outlook right now is focused on staying present and not worrying about things that [she] cannot control.”
And for chef Tara Thomas, “it’s more of a realign the moral compass.” Her emphasis is on accountability, and she tells us that “to succeed, I need to reflect over my year at hand—my values, accomplishments, and aspirations”.
on embracing rituals and celebrating the lunar new year
Incorporating gentle rituals into life is a vital way to recharge, and to become comfortable and empowered in our own bodies, homes, and communities. A couple of Passerbys who celebrate the Lunar New Year (which this year is February 12th) use this time to perform cleansing rituals of their own. Elaine sees a “bigger shift” at this time, as “you have to consider the animal, element, and what all of that means in terms of the character of the new lunar year”. To celebrate, she practices “a traditional ritual of decluttering as much as possible so that the good luck for the new year can come in,” which includes a wardrobe edit, a clearing out of her apartment, and getting a hair cut “as part of getting rid of what’s old and no longer needed.” Tara too cleanses her home “by donating or disposing of any items that do not spark joy, then [cleansing] the space with herbs and essential oils.” She finishes it off by cooking herself “a nourishing meal.”
Jenn, who is a student of Taoism, uses this day to “set intentions.” She recounts to us how “much of Chinese philosophy mirrors the cyclical nature of the seasons, making spring the ideal time to plant seeds for new beginnings. The winter months, however, are the most Yin—an invitation to reflect and rest. In reverence for this energetic and environmental shift, I close out the year by recognizing all that I've learned, loved, and lost.”
on motivation
Maintaining motivation is vital to sustaining practices of ritual, goal, and intention setting. Many of Passerbys have been struggling through the cold winter months of the pandemic, and seek rituals to find solace. For example, Fatima’s motivation comes from exercising and sticking to a routine.
For Tara, motivation comes in the form of aiding her community. “The global pandemic exacerbated the tragedies and despairs of marginalized communities caused by structural racism. I've really had the privilege to plug into urban farming and organizing folks around the issue. As a chef, I haven't had much time to create recipes for my audience, which I'd love to begin creating—I want everyone to feel empowered in the kitchen and hold authority over their health and wellness,” she writes.
on tools for tracking goals
Writing things down always feels key to tracking our goals and intentions. “I keep a list of goals I would like to achieve, as I really like checking things off. Also, I feel that writing it down and saying it out loud makes you commit to it,” says Elaine, who opts for Papier Tigre’s weekly planner. To help track the day to day, Fatima likes Danielle Laporte's Desire Map Planner. If you’re looking for more, our feature on best notebooks and pens according to writers has an abundance of additional recommendations.
As far as setting intentions goes, Fatima recommends the plethora of worksheets made available by BuyfromaBlackWoman.org. A manifestation journal was emphatically recommended by Tara, and she usually goes “for something that's blank, so all dreams and manifestations are possible.”
To enhance our spatial and bodily awareness while setting intentions, Jenn points to her company, 3rd Ritual’s apothecary toolkit and their “alchemical” palm inhalation.
on excitement
If all the challenges and hardships of last year taught us anything, it is to seek solace and comfort in both the mundane and extraordinary. To cherish all the moments that we get to spend time with our loved ones, creating things we’re proud of, or sitting with ourselves and learn who we are. This year, we’re bringing that energy in full force and moving forward with excitement for all the good that is to come.
“I am excited about the spring and summer again. I spent a lot of time at the beach and at the park, and I can't wait to get on my bike and ride,” says Fatima.
Words by Marina Sulmona