Paige’s Practices: Rituals and Mindful Practices for Rest, Reflection, + Wellness

Peace isn’t something that just arrives — it’s something we gently cultivate. Especially during seasons of uncertainty, I’ve leaned into simple yet powerful rituals that help me reconnect with myself. From a warm bath at the end of the day to a quiet moment with my journal or a few deep breaths during yoga or meditation, these practices are helpful for rest, reflection, and wellness.

Whether you’re navigating stress or simply craving more intention, I hope these rituals inspire calm, creativity, and connection — not just to yourself, but also to the beauty around you.

Boho Cottage - Master Bath Photo: Public 311 Design

Bath Ritual: Space to Unwind, Dream, and Relax

If you’re already a bath-lover, I’m right there with you. If not — I invite you to give it a try. My favorite tub is in our Boho master bath - it’s extra deep and surrounded by windows that open to a quiet porch and starry sky. It’s like stepping into a private spa in the middle of the countryside. Below are the steps to my nightly bath routine.

My Bath Steps:

• Draw the hottest water I can handle — and add more once I’ve settled in
  
  

• Add bubble bath, lavender bath salts, and aromatherapy oil
  
  

• Light a candle (I love our RVT Hand Poured Soy Candles) and turn off the lights
  
  

• Take deep, intentional breaths: in through the nose, out through the mouth
  
  

• Turn on calming music (or enjoy the quiet) to meditate, pray, or reflect
  
  

• Add a face mask or gently exfoliate with gloves or a loofah
  
  

• Brew a cup of chamomile tea or pour a glass of wine

• Afterward, gently moisturize to lock in hydration
  

Boho Cottage - Master Bath with RVT Candle Photo: Haylei Smith

 My Picks for the Perfect Bath:

You don’t need a fancy bathroom or lots of products — just the intention to pause. But if you’re looking to elevate your space, I’ve listed some of my favorite bath products from our shop below.

• Handmade Lavender Soap — calming with clean ingredients 

• RVT Hand Poured Soy Candles — soft scents for serenity

• Desert Rose Bath Salts - moisturizing and relaxing
  
  

Journaling: Prompts + Reflections for a Mindful Week

Journaling is another grounding practice I love — it allows space for self-reflection, clarity, and intention. It gives me the opportunity to unload heavy feelings, watch patterns, and manifest new habits and dreams. Here’s how you can bring this ritual into your weekly rhythm.

Prompts to Begin:

• What am I grateful for today?

• What thoughts or feelings do I need to release?

• What do I want more of in my life this week?

• What is limiting my growth

• What am I proud of?

• What am I passionate about?

• What habits are helping me and which ones need to be further developed?

• What brought me joy this week?

• How did I show up in service to someone this week?"

  Benefits of Journaling:

  There are countless benefits to journaling — from releasing stress and processing emotions to sparking creativity and gaining clarity. You can begin by carving out a dedicated time each week — perhaps after a calming bath or with your morning coffee. Even just 10 quiet minutes can create meaningful shifts in your mindset, energy, and emotional well-being. It's less about writing the "right" thing and more about creating space to listen inward.

• Clears mental clutter

• Clarifies thoughts and feelings

• Process strong emotions

• Sparks creativity and ideas

• Enhances self-awareness

• Helps track emotional patterns and progress over time

Movement + Meditation: Mindful Minutes That Make a Difference

Just 5–10 minutes of mindful breathing or movement can help regulate your nervous system, shift your energy, and reconnect you to the present. Below are some basic movement and mediation practices if you are just getting started.

Michelle Gregovic and Dianne Glass- Yamuna Body Rolling Yoga Retreat

GENTLE MOVEMENT ROUTINES

• Cat/Cow + Child’s Pose
  Ease into your body and release tension in the spine and hips.
  How to do it: Move through Cat/Cow for 1–2 minutes, then rest in Child’s Pose for another 1–2 minutes, breathing deeply.
  

• Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose
  Encourage circulation and deep relaxation after a long day.
  How to do it: Lie on your back and extend your legs vertically up a wall. Hold for 5–10 minutes, breathing slowly.
  

• Simple Sun Salutations
  A gentle flow to energize the body and center the mind.
  How to do it: Begin standing, reach arms overhead, fold forward, step into a plank, lower to the ground, then lift into Cobra and return to standing. Repeat 3–5 times.

Boho Cottage Great Room - Yamuna Body Rolling Yoga Retreat

Meditation Practices to Try

• Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
  A calming technique that eases stress and regulates your nervous system.
  How to do it: Inhale for 4 seconds → Hold for 4 → Exhale for 4 → Hold for 4. Repeat for 1–2 minutes.
  

• Gratitude-Focused Breathwork
  Combine deep breathing with gratitude to shift into a positive mindset.
  How to do it: Inhale slowly while thinking of one thing you're grateful for. Exhale slowly and let your body soften. Repeat for 5 breaths.
  

• Guided Visualization
  Tap into inner calm and clarity by picturing a peaceful place or moment.
  How to do it: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and visualize a calming scene (like the ocean or your favorite quiet spot) for 5–10 minutes.
  

Other Resources I Love

I’m inspired by others who live with intention and offer thoughtful tools for well-being. Here are a few voices I regularly turn to for insight, reflection, and growth:

• DailyOM – Gentle courses and writing focused on personal growth, healing, and self-awareness. 

• James Clear – Author of Atomic Habits, offering clear, science-backed guidance on building better habits. 

• Yung Pueblo – Poet and meditation practitioner whose words spark emotional clarity and healing. 

• Yoga with Adriene - Provides high quality practices on yoga and mindfulness at no cost to inspire people of all ages, shapes and sizes across the globe.

These are inspirational resources to follow on Instagram, subscribe to, or add to your weekly reading list when you're craving growth, gentleness, or guidance.

The Therapeutic Magic of Being in the Country

One of the most healing parts of my practice is simply being at our property. The stillness, the starry skies, the space to breathe — it’s more than beautiful, it’s therapeutic.

I truly believe that travel and location can inspire transformation. Whether you come to The Vintage Round Top to reconnect with family and friends, reflect, or reset — we hope our spaces feel like an invitation to slow down and be present.

Final Thought

Whether you start with a bubble bath, a five-minute journal entry, or book a weekend getaway, remember: wellness is a practice. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just needs to be yours. Take care of yourself. You are worth the pause.

— xo, Paige