Back to rituals!

Hello hello,

I hope you had a wonderful summer, a time for enjoyment and reflection. As for me, I took the opportunity to play (if you don’t know me yet, I love playing, and I’ll tell you more in a future oli-letter), update my website, and eat some delicious pizettes.

I’m writing this oli-letter at the start of September to share something that helps me find balance between work and personal life: routines.

I’m keen on routines that turn into rituals. They help me manage my overthinking as an entrepreneur and recharge as an introvert. Rituals?  These are symbolic, intentional actions that add meaning to our daily habits, turning ordinary moments into something a bit more extraordinary.

In a hyper-connected world where our attention is constantly demanded, routines help us refocus, cut through the noise, and add a touch of magic.

So this month, think about the routines you’ve subconsciously established. 

What small habit could bring a bit of joy into your daily life, whether alone, with a partner, with friends, or at work?

I’m sharing a ritual program inspired by my favorite routines throughout the month - sign up by replying to this email.

Cheers and happy rentrée!

8 QUESTIONS TO MARI ☀️

I met Mari while taking flamenco classes. I loved our Monday and Wednesday meet-ups on the dance floor.

She started Es Mel Rituals, therapeutic fragrances that she makes herself. One of my rituals is to put a few drops on my wrist before an important meeting.

What are your favorite routines? For me, it’s super important to start the day right. In the morning, I feel really free. When I wake up, I thank the universe for a new day and for the little things I have. I do the same thing at night before going to bed—it’s a habit I’ve had for years. When I make my coffee, I read mantras. I like to sit by the window. I also cleanse the space with eucalyptus oil; it helps me connect with the energies.

Why did you create Es Mel Rituals? I’ve always felt a strong desire to help others. I discovered essential oils years ago, and they became a way to heal and bring well-being. They help with anxiety, stress, insomnia, the need to reconnect, colds, etc. It was a way to help people in a more holistic way and also to prove to myself that I could create something on my own.

How do you integrate rituals into your daily life? I especially love doing rituals during the full moon, as those are very powerful times, especially for women who are connected to the lunar cycle. It’s a way to amplify what you want to attract into your life. (And it’s very important not to do rituals during eclipses!). I do a ritual when I feel like I need it. For example, I recite mantras daily.  It works on the subconscious. Rituals help set clear intentions for where you want to go. It’s like a little push.

What fragrance would you recommend to start the day well? It really depends on my mood. I love lighting a candle with rosemary, lavender, or vetiver (associated with the first chakra).

Is there a specific ritual that helped you in a difficult moment? Yes, Ho'oponopono, a Hawaiian meditation with four miraculous phrases: "I’m sorry, Please forgive me, I love you, Thank you!"I practice it when I find a quiet moment, in the morning or evening, to start and end the day peacefully.

Another ritual I love is infusing flowers and going for a swim in the sea; I find it incredibly powerful.And I also love writing.

Rituals with other people? With friends, during the full moon, we show our butts to the moon—it’s said to bring luck and abundance!

How would you like people to use Es Mel Rituals in their daily lives? I’ve designed the products in a very practical format, easy to carry everywhere. In daily life, scent has incredible power; it works on your energy - I put on a little bit of my oils, and it completely changes my mood.

What inspires you today? So many things inspire me!

The little things in life, like seeing the sea or women who are changing the world. Seeing the people I love evolve, reading, flowers, sunrise, daring, having deep conversations... All these things inspire me a lot.

BITS AND BOBS TO GET INSPIRED THIS MONTH 🌈

This month, I’m sharing a book that inspired this oli-letter.

In The Power of Ritual, Casper Ter Kuile shows how everyday activities can gain deeper meaning through rituals, regardless of our religious or spiritual background.

SPOILER, here are some of the rituals:

• Communal rituals: finding community through shared meals, book clubs, or group fitness.

• Digital Sabbath: unplugging from technology one day a week to reconnect with yourself and loved ones.

• Sacred Reading: reading with deep intention and reflection, akin to studying religious texts.

OLI-REFLECTION 💭

For one month, every Monday I’ll send you a simple email with a 5 min routine to follow each day of the week (and even beyond if you like!).

Those rituals help me in my everyday life - If you want to join in, just reply to this email with “IN.”

Until next month, 

Love, Léa 💌