The Ritual of Skipping Something

When Skipping Something Is the Most Loving Thing You Can Do

I’ve got this little set of daily things I try to do for myself—
You know, those rituals that help you feel grounded, put-together, a little more you.
My skincare.
My stretches.
My after-shower oil routine.
A little movement or workout.
The basics, but also the little luxuries.

But sometimes… it’s a lot.

And on those nights where I’m tired or emotionally tapped or just over it, I’ve started giving myself permission to skip one.
Not out of laziness. Not because I “shouldn’t have to.”
But as a little act of grace.

“You don’t have to do that one tonight.”
“You can skip this step, baby. It’s okay.”

And every time I do that, I feel this soft little memory bubble up—
Of when I was younger, maybe 12 or 13, and I’d get a breakout or a pimple and feel so embarrassed. I didn’t want to go to school. I didn’t want anyone to see me. I felt so uncomfortable in my skin.
And my mom—bless her—would let me stay home.
She didn’t tell me to tough it out or say it was silly.
She just said okay.
She gave me permission to rest. To hide. To reset.

Bringing That Kindness Back to Ourselves

I think I’m still carrying that gift.
On nights like tonight when the checklist feels like too much, I remember that moment and I pass it on to myself:

“You don’t have to show up for everything today.”
“You get to leave that one for tomorrow, or the next day.”
“Your worth isn’t tied to how many rituals you checked off.”

And I want you to have that too.

A Ritual of Grace

So maybe this becomes a ritual in itself—
The ritual of skipping something, on purpose.
Of checking in and asking, “Which one of these is truly serving me tonight, and which one can I lovingly set aside?”

You’re not failing.
You’re feeling.
And sometimes that’s more important than anything on your list.

Final Thought?

You don’t have to do it all every single day.
Sometimes skipping a ritual is the most sacred one of all.
It’s you saying: “I trust myself enough to know when enough is enough.”

And that, my friend, is powerful.