There’s no other feeling like holding a book in your hands. Books lend themselves to sensory rituals: the weight of the book in your hand, the rhythm of turning each page, the still and effortless absence of any notifications, pings, or an endless scroll. Books, when used with intention, can become more than just good stories. They can become rituals. Whether it’s an evening wind down, a mid-day pause, or a spark for your creativity, reading is a ritualistic way to ground yourself back into the present moment.
When you pair those books with intentional self care and comfort, like wrapping yourself in a white long robe or draping a plus size duster kimono robe around your shoulders while you read, you’ve suddenly created something sacred, luxurious, and deeply personal. Books and kimono robes together form a ritual for beautiful presence: the book engages your mind, the kimono robe soothes your body, and the combination crafts a moment that is all about you. So today in the journal, we’ll explore a few ways to bring books into your rituals of self care, creativity, and balance.
Photo by Ashley Streff
The Evening Wind Down Ritual
Evenings can be messy and a little haphazard. Sometimes you’re sprinting toward bedtime routines, juggling work emails, or mentally replaying conversations from earlier in the day that could have gone better. So the ritual of closing the day with a book can feel like a reset button on multiple levels. Choose a book that expands your mental space while also calming you down. The Rituals, for example, is a beautiful, simple choice — filled with traditions and practices from around the world, it reminds you that you’re not alone in craving rhythm and meaning. By reading just a few pages before bed, you invite calm into your night and offer yourself a sense of belonging to something larger.
Here’s how to elevate the moment: slip into your best robe, something silky and flowing that signals the day is officially over. Imagine settling into bed with The Rituals and a cup of chamomile tea. Turn off the overhead light and turn on the warm, bedside table lamp. Signal to your body and your mind that it’s time to rest.
Photo by Ashley Streff
A Mid-Day Mental Break
We’re all guilty of scrolling our phones for a “mental break” only to emerge 30 minutes later overstimulated and ambiguously annoyed. So instead of turning to your phone to stimulate your mind throughout the day, try turning toward a book. Even five minutes can shift your energy.
Keep a small, playful book like The Golden Book of Fortune Telling on your desk or tucked into your bag. The joy of flipping to a random page for a prediction — or simply reading about ancient divination practices — can bring levity and reconnection to self during a stressful workday. It’s an immediate perspective shift that social media rarely provides.
Now add the tactile joy of slipping into one of your favorite kimono outfits. Maybe it’s a botanical wrap with velvet-cuffed sleeves that lets your body feel a sense of ease and comfort. Taking five minutes in this outfit, book in hand, can be a simple reminder that your life deserves pauses that bring you back your body and mind connection.
Photo by Nick Onken
A Creativity Ritual
Sometimes creativity doesn’t just flow, you have to set the stage for the creative moment to appear. That’s where books-as-rituals work gorgeously. Try beginning your creative sessions with The Book of Answers. Its format is simple but impactful: you ask a question, flip to a page, and let the answer spark something in your creative process. Even if it feels random, the playfulness and randomness of it can unlock new ideas.
Imagine this ritual: you drape yourself in a plus size duster kimono robe, light a candle, and sit with your notebook. You ask the book: “What do I need to focus on in my art today?” You flip to the page, get the answer, and journal on it for a few minutes. Now you’ve laid out a plan from intuition, not pressure. Whether you’re writing, painting, or planning, this ritual makes space for serendipity and trust.
Photo by Vanessa Hellman
Why Rituals Matter
Rituals are about marking time with intention. Without it, the days blur together and you can feel like you’re being swept up with inertia. With ritual, you create anchor points that bring you back to your inner intentions, your self care, and your feeling of empowerment in even the smallest of daily moments. Books are perfect objects for rituals because they slow us down and naturally bring us inward. Kimono robes are perfect companions because they remind us that the body, too, deserves attention and comfort. When you combine the two, you’re not just reading — you’re practicing self care for your body and mind. You’re building practices that remind you to come home to yourself in ways that are tactile, comforting, and sustainable.
Start Here with These Book and Kimono Robe Suggestions
If you’re curious where to start, here are three pairings that make books-as-rituals irresistible:
The Rituals + a white long robe: Perfect for evening wind downs, this combination is a beautiful way to clear space, clear your mind, and settle in for the night.
The Golden Book of Fortune Telling + floral kimono outfits: Lighthearted, curious, and fun, this combination is an ideal for mid-day breaks or sleepover-style evenings with friends.
The Book of Answers + a plus size duster kimono robe: A creative spark that feels comforting and inspiring at the same time.
Books don’t have to be isolated to just reading, they can live in your rituals. They can tuck you into bed, give you laughter at lunchtime, or draw out your next great idea. When you pair them with the tactile elegance of kimono outfits, you’re reminding yourself that self care isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about elevating what you already love. So tonight, instead of scrolling, choose a book. Wrap yourself in silk or charmeuse. Turn a page. Let the ritual remind you of the simple luxury of being here, right now.
