Ritual for self love...

Amidst the whirl of work and mothering our girls, I take time on weekends for some advance meal preparation: I season and roast vegetables, soak and cook legumes, bake some fish or soft boil eggs, and make a golden, turmeric-tahini dressing. I also wash tons of greens and have jars of fermented vegetables, toasted seeds, and nut butters around to compose big bowls of these things – in various combinations – for quick lunches during the week.

Ritual to rejuvenate...

In one form or another, rejuvenation involves a submersion in nature: On Maui, it’s usually dips in the ocean followed by warm naps in the shade and in Vancouver, it’s time spent tending our garden or long, rainy walks. In Paris, the closest thing to that feeling of submersion was an afternoon at the hammam, especially in winter.

Ritual with friends, family & loved ones...

Intimate weekend dinners or brunches with friends at our place are a favourite. I grew up in a home where good food was very important and enjoy cooking and coming together around meals. There’s also such tenderness in slow weekend mornings with our girls piled in bed with us and I look forward to uninterrupted conversations with Sebastian, which usually occur in hushed voices, over cups of tea late at night.

Ritual to create a sense of calm and order...

I’ve found that I think most clearly and feel happiest when my surroundings are kept minimal. I have annual clear-outs – of wardrobes, bookshelves, drawers, even the pantry – to ensure that whatever we’re holding onto is either useful or appreciated for its beauty.

Ritual for productivity & organisation...

I’m fond of mornings generally, but when work is particularly intense, waking up early seems to offer all kinds of possibilities. At home I follow my toddler’s still-unpredictable rhythms and mornings are a time when she’s reliably asleep so I’ve come to cherish that stillness and use some mornings as a time to collect myself and others just to scramble and get lots done.

Ritual for creativity & inspiration...

Nothing inspires me like travel. It stirs the pot and prevents stagnation. I’ve spent my whole life travelling and still keep lists of places I want to explore. In innumerable ways my tastes and daily habits are renewed by absorbing life in other places.

Ritual for intimacy & connection...

For me, intimacy and connection are rooted in truthfulness and vulnerability. I’ve stayed miles away from social media and I’ve never sought hundreds of friends, but I go to great lengths for people in my life with whom I feel the freedom to be whole, honest, and imperfect.