I used to think that being spiritual meant stepping away from everyday life. In my mind, spirituality belonged to people who could spend hours meditating, practice yoga all day, or live somewhere quiet and remote. For a long time, I believed that because I have three kids, a husband, a full-time job, and even a part-time job on the side, I wasn’t doing it “right.”
What I’ve learned is that spirituality isn’t about escaping the chaos or striving for perfection. Spirit doesn’t ask for perfection—it simply asks for presence. Some days, that presence looks like taking a deep breath in my car before walking into work. Other days, it’s whispering a quiet prayer while I’m packing school lunches, or choosing not to react too quickly when something stresses me out. Even washing dishes has become a grounding ritual for me: warm water, my hands moving in circles, and a simple “thank you” for the meal that made those dishes dirty.
The real magic happens when I allow the sacred to weave itself into my ordinary life. It doesn’t require incense or special tools—though those can be beautiful additions. What matters most is intention. I can set a quiet intention while stirring my morning coffee. I can light a candle at my desk to make work feel calmer. I can take one slow breath when I open a bill instead of rushing into worry.
Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Wash the dishes as if you are bathing a baby Buddha.” I love that. It reminds me that even the most basic chores can become small moments of peace.
I’ve also started to see things like paying bills or budgeting as part of my spiritual practice. They’re not distractions from my “real” growth—they’re actually opportunities to heal old fears about safety and security. Sometimes the most spiritual thing I can do is look at my bank account and choose not to panic. That choice helps my nervous system settle. It reminds me I’m safe, and it’s okay to take one step at a time.
Spirit doesn’t just show up in quiet meditation. It’s present in everyday life, even when my schedule is full. Sometimes it comes through a song on the radio that feels like it’s speaking directly to me. Other times it’s a bedtime conversation with my kids, or a quick text that arrives at the perfect moment. Occasionally, it’s a coworker saying something that answers a question I didn’t even know I had. I try to keep a small notebook in my bag—or I just use my phone—to jot these moments down so I don’t forget them.
Living a spiritual life doesn’t mean being happy and calm all the time. There are still days when I cry alone in the bathroom. Yet even then, I try not to abandon myself. Sometimes the most spiritual thing I can do is ask for help, cancel something I don’t have the energy for, or simply rest.
I’ve realized that the mundane can be sacred if I let it be. Listening to a two-minute meditation before answering work emails. Taking three deep breaths while I cook dinner. Saying a little blessing over the water while I wash dishes. Asking for guidance during my commute. None of these things takes extra time; however, they remind me that I’m never doing life alone.
I don’t have to choose between being spiritual and surviving the day. I can hold space for both. I can pay bills and still talk to Spirit. I can feel stressed and still show up with love for my family, my students, and myself. The sacred isn’t something separate from daily life—it’s already here.
If you want to try this for yourself, start with something you already do every day—something small, like making coffee or driving to work. Pause for just a moment. Breathe. Set a simple intention. Remind yourself that even this ordinary act can carry something sacred.
