Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World

by Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Physically, they guide you to pause and recalibrate your energy levels. Cognitively, they interrupt your autopilot mode, allowing you to recenter your focus and approach tasks with renewed clarity. Emotionally, these rituals offer a sanctuary—a momentary retreat to acknowledge your feelings, validate your experiences, and reconnect with your inner self. Kairos rituals function as mini resets, priming you for action and ensuring that all your faculties operate in synergy. There are two key factors in choosing a Kairos ritual. The first is practicality. You may not be able to get up and dance or light candles in the office. Choose a ritual that you can easily use whenever you need to reconnect with yourself and with the present moment, even if it’s just mindfully sipping tea, jotting down one thing you’re grateful for on a sticky note, or gazing at a photo that brings you a sense of calm. The second, most importantly, is to select a ritual that resonates with you personally. It should be something you look forward to and enjoy, not something that feels like a chore.