Little rituals behind my art and remedial massage practices

These rituals are small, intentional acts, not habits. They carry meaning, they mark the transition from one state to another, and they set the tone for what comes next. For me, the work of both a remedial massage therapist and artist are about presence, focus, and care. Whether I’m preparing to treat a client or beginning a new artwork, I use my rituals to create a sense of clarity and purpose.

Preparing for a massage treatment

I always arrive at my treatment room at least 30 minutes before my first client. This time is necessary, not just to set up the space, but to step into the role of a remedial massage therapist with intention.

There’s a rhythm to my preparation: folding towels, adjusting the lighting, setting up the table, and putting on my playlist. These are the practical tasks, but they also allow me to physically shift away from the noise of the outside world and into the focus required for massage.

Beyond the physical setup, I take a moment to centre myself. I breathe. I check in with how I’m feeling, ensuring that I can be fully present for the person who will soon walk through the door. There’s a stillness in these moments; a quiet recognition that, for at least the next hour, my focus is entirely on helping someone else.

At the beginning of a project: Clearing my space for creation

Before I start working on an art project, I always clear my space. A cluttered space just brings me down, makes me feel stuffy and frustrated. Preparing my space is the first step in focussing on the project. Wiping down my work surface, getting all my tools out, and making sure I have everything I need (including tea, snacks and music) is all part of preparing myself to create.

Maybe it's silly to call this a ritual, but for me, it's all about the intention. It's signalling that I’m about to begin something new. It makes room (both on my table and in my brain) for possibility, for ideas to take shape.

At the beginning of a project: Pulling a tarot card for insight

Once my space is clear and I have a cup of tea, I often like to pull a tarot card. This isn’t about divination or looking for answers, it’s more about perspective. A single card can offer a spark, thought, a question, or an unexpected connection that I might not have considered.

Sometimes the card aligns perfectly with what’s already rattling around my mind, embracing or reinforcing an idea. Other times, it forces me to confront deeper thoughts, even challenging my preconceptions. Either way, the card sets me on a course rooted in reflection.

My wishbone ritual

There’s something powerful about marking the beginning of something with a small, symbolic act. One of my favourite rituals is lighting a tiny sparkler—a “wishbone”—before starting a new artwork or when I’m thinking about someone in particular.

I do this when I’m setting an intention, when I want to hold someone in my thoughts, or when I’m looking toward the future. The brief moment of flickering light is a quiet moment of acknowledgement. It is about making a wish in the traditional sense; it’s also about focus, about taking a breath and setting something in motion.

When I light a sparkler before beginning an artwork, it’s a reminder that every creative act carries possibility. When I light one for someone who has passed or someone who needs help, it’s a way of holding space for them. When I light one for the future, it’s an act of quiet hope. It’s a wish.

Ritual as preparation

These rituals are not rigid steps, they are moments I've given meaning, ways of stepping into the right frame of mind. They provide structure without limitation, intention without expectation.

For both massage and art, the process begins long before the work itself. The preparation is just part of the experience. My rituals—these small acts—create a bridge between the everyday and the sacred: the focussed, intentional work that lies ahead of me.

They remind me that what I’m about to do matters.