Y’all know I’ve been craving more physicality in my work.

After 30+ years of digital living (fun fact: I was making multimedia PowerPoint presentations in 6th grade and working at a web design company in high school)… my body’s been asking for something different.

Something slower. More tactile. More felt.

Enter the ritual candle. 

Let me explain:

A lot of people love the  Pomodoro timer (digital or physical) but to me, it’s always felt a little like an  alarm clock.

So I started experimenting with a ritual instead.

From the company 3rd Ritual, I finally bought Bel — a candle I’d been eyeing for YEARS.

Yes, I like nice things. But yes, it was $175. Yes, I hesitated many times, leaving it to sit in my Pinterest wishlist.

But here’s the thing: I believe these small acts of care and beauty matter. 

“When the candle is lit, wax melts, and eventually each pin falls, landing with a resonant ding — an invitation to return to the present moment.”

Light the candle. And begin.

There’s something about that intention — the small (but mighty) decision to begin with care — that changes everything.

It softens the edges of the day. (It also happens to brighten my north facing office which is very dim in the mornings.) 

It reminds me that this work is mine to shape. And that I don’t have to do it in default mode.

Because default mode (for many of us) can look like:

• Realizing you’ve had to pee for a long while but have kept dismissing your interoception

• Sticking your cold coffee in the microwave, again (or worse, drinking it cold…eww)

• Clicking between tabs like they can tell you what to do next

• Holding your breath, forgetting to stretch

• Sitting at your desk all day with a tension headache and dry eyes you don’t notice until 5 p.m (did I forget to blink?)

We’re taught to measure ROI in dollars.

But what about ROI in presence? Or peace? Or energy?

Especially in freelance life — where you can shape your days around what nourishes you — I think the small rituals matter.

So I’ll ask you:

What would it look like to design a business that makes space for ritual?

Not as a luxury. Not as an afterthought. But as part of your process.

I’d love to hear from you, what’s one small ritual that helps you feel more human during your workday?

Sarah

P.S. While the Bel is sold out, a friend of mine sells a very similar candle in her shop (+ you’d be supporting small business!)