Ritual: Action performed consistently and consciously. It is not something you necessarily want to do. If you don’t do it, you become paranoid about missing it. There is pressure to perform it, and it lacks emotional connection outside of anxiety. At it’s best it’s a crutch. Avoid rituals.
Routine: Action performed consistently and consciously. It is something you want to do, but you aren’t paranoid about missing it. There is little pressure to perform it, and it can foster good emotion in you. Well thought-out routines are healthy.
Rhythm: Action performed consistently and subconsciously. It is something you want at a deep level, rarely will you miss it, because it is ingrained in you. There is no pressure to perform it, only desire. It is spiritually tied to who you are. Often beginning as a routine, it grows to become part of your identity. Rhythms steer the undercurrent of your life.
Routines are the midline of your habits. They can degrade into rituals you feel obligated to perform, or they can ascend into rhythms that sculpt your identity.
Braden Bristo’s - The Journeyman’s Path 