I’ve found that when I take a few minutes at the end of the month to pause and reflect, everything feels clearer. Without rituals like this, the days can pass in a blur, and before I know it, I’m wondering where the time went.
This ritual is my way of closing the month with intention.
It’s simple, grounding, and repeatable. Bay Leaves are at the center of it. They give me a way to capture gratitude, release energy, and honor the changes that took place over the last few weeks. Even on months when I don’t feel like it, I consider this a must-do because it reminds me that every month holds growth worth remembering.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
- A few Bay Leaves (I use my INTENTION // Bay Leaves, set aside just for this ritual)
- A journal and pen
- A safe bowl, dish, or abalone shell for burning
- A lighter or candle to set the mood
Step 2: Track What Matters
Before I light anything, I check in with myself. I write down three to five simple numbers that reflect where I am right now.
They’re personal markers of growth, so choose what matters to you. It might be:
- Sales or income you generated
- Progress in your health or fitness
- Number of times you created or posted content
- Books read or time spent learning
- A relationship milestone or family memory
Step 3: Gratitude Reflection
Next, I choose my top three gratitudes from the month.
If you keep a daily gratitude journal, this part is easy.
All you need to do is just flip back through your entries. Often, I’m surprised at how many meaningful moments I would have forgotten if I hadn’t written them down. Even small wins deserve to be honored, whether it was a big accomplishment, a breakthrough in patience, or simply getting through a hard day.
Write your top three gratitudes in your journal. Add a few sentences under each one: Why am I grateful for this? What changed because of it?
Then, write them on your Bay Leaves. You can put all three on one, or spread them out.
Do what feels right to you.
Step 4: Burn the Bay Leaves
Once your gratitudes are written, burn the Bay Leaves safely in your bowl or shell. As the smoke rises, imagine your gratitude being sealed and carried upward, a way of saying thank you and letting the energy expand.
Step 5: Release the Ashes
Next, I like to take the ashes that I have and release them outside as a way to close my ritual.
I like to keep the ashes from the bay leaves I’ve burned throughout the month in one abalone shell.
At the end of the month, I empty it all out.
Letting the ashes scatter feels like a closure to me, a full release of what has been, making space for what’s to come for the new month.
Step 6: Write a Note to Yourself
To finish, write a short note to yourself in your journal. Think of it as closing the chapter.
It could be a reflection on what you learned, what you’re proud of, or what you don’t want to forget. These words are your personal code and should be treated like such.
Your experiences and lessons you go through are only for you.
Here are some prompts you can use:
- What did I learn this month?
- How did I grow?
- What do I want to carry with me into the new month?
Why This Ritual Matters
This practice has become one of my non-negotiables because it help me:
- Close the month with a sense of completion
- See my growth in real, tangible ways
- Celebrate the things I’m grateful for
- Document lessons so they don’t get lost
Each month deserves to be honored, and this ritual is my way of making sure I don’t skip over the progress, the lessons, and the moments that matter most.
Journal Prompts for Your Own Practice
- What 3–5 things can I measure this month that reflect my growth?
- What are my top three gratitudes?
- Why do these moments matter to me?
- What lesson did this month teach me?
- What do I want to carry into the new month?
If you’d like to make this part of your monthly rhythm, start with Bay Leaves. Light your candle, take out your journal, and give yourself this moment of closure.
Here is an example of my Bay Leaf Closure Ritual for the end of the month!
Shamonique Mattox helps people bridge the gap between ritual and strategy, transforming manifestation from wishful thinking into intentional action.
Through a blend of structured techniques, AI-driven insights, and time-honored rituals, she provides practical tools to align mindset, habits, and goals for real results.
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