Creating An Evening Routine You Love

“The way that you end your day sets the tone for how the next one will go.”

Creating an evening routine you love is an easy way to set yourself up for tomorrow’s success. By being intentional about how you end your day and designing it to be light and easy, you’ll feel refreshed and primed for success. In this post, I’ll share practical tips and insights from my own evening routine to help you create yours.

Nighttime Routine Key Takeaways

1. Prepare for Tomorrow
   • Review your calendar so your mind starts working on tomorrow while you sleep.
   • Lay out workout clothes the night before.
2. Reflection and Vision
   • Write down your daily wins and practice gratitude.
   • Engage in visualization and review your vision board.
3. Winding Down
   • Set a time when you stop checking your phone.
   • Create a time trigger to make it easier to being your evening routine.
4. Prepare for Sleep
   • Schedule 7-8 hours of sleep like a non-negotiable meeting.
   • Use meditation to calm the mind and promote restful sleep.
5. Overcoming Challenges:
   • Make your bedtime routine light and easy to increase consistency.
   • Consider creating an evening routine menu to make it fun.

Preparing for Tomorrow Today

One of the most effective ways to ensure a productive tomorrow is to start preparing the night before. This doesn’t just mean checking your calendar. It involves creating a conducive environment for your morning activities. For instance, I lay out my workout clothes the night before. This small act is my first commitment towards a productive morning. Similarly, I prepare my coffee maker so that all I need to do is press a button when I wake up at 5 AM. These effortless efforts are simple yet powerful steps to build momentum for the next day.

Reflection and Vision

Reflection is crucial for growth. Each night, I look back at the day’s wins, no matter how small. This practice, inspired by “The Gap and The Gain” by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan, helps me focus on progress rather than expectations. I also practice gratitude while brushing my teeth, listing three things I’m thankful for. Visualization is another powerful tool, reviewing my 2026 Vivid Vision every night keeps my goals vivid and alive. These practices not only ground me but also keep me inspired and focused on my bigger picture.

Winding Down for the Day

Transitioning from a high-energy day to a calm evening requires intentionality. For me, this means setting a phone curfew at 9 PM and starting my wind-down routine at 7:45 PM. This early start allows me to relax without feeling rushed. The key here is to make this time light and enjoyable, not another productivity checkbox. Whether it’s reading a book or going for a walk, find activities that help you slow down and decompress.

Preparing for Sleep

Good sleep is non-negotiable for high performance. I schedule my sleep just like I would a meeting, ensuring I get 7-8 hours every night. To help me unwind, I often meditate for five minutes using apps like Peloton or Headspace. This short meditation session helps quiet my mind and prepare me for a restful night. Remember, the goal is to create a tranquil environment that promotes relaxation and deep sleep.

Overcoming Evening Routine Challenges

Creating and maintaining an evening routine can be met with resistance, but recognizing and addressing these challenges is key to your success. Consistency and energy management are two common hurdles that many face. By understanding these issues and implementing strategies to overcome them, you can ensure that your evening routine remains effective and enjoyable. Let’s dive into these challenges and explore how to tackle them.

Challenge 1: Lack of Consistency

Maintaining consistency in your evening routine can be a challenge, especially when comfort tempts you to skip it. To combat this, set clear triggers and alarms to remind you to start your routine. For instance, I have an alarm on my Apple Watch that goes off at 7:45 PM, signaling the beginning of my wind-down process. This helps create a habit loop, making it easier to stick to the routine. Remember, consistency is key, and by setting these reminders, you’ll gradually make your evening routine a seamless part of your life.

Challenge 2: Energy Management

The energy you have in the evening is different from the morning, and it’s crucial to recognize and respect that. Instead of pushing yourself to maintain high energy and constant productivity, embrace the natural winding down process. Reframe your mindset from “I am tired” to “I emptied the tank,” acknowledging the effort you’ve put in throughout the day. This shift helps you approach your evening routine with a sense of accomplishment and allows you to focus on activities that recharge you, rather than feeling pressured to remain productive.

Evening Routine Next Steps

Now that you have the tools to create an evening routine that works for you, it’s time to put them into action. Remember, the goal is to set yourself up for success in a way that feels natural and enjoyable. Start small, be consistent, and make adjustments as needed. Your evening routine is a powerful tool that can transform your nights and set a positive tone for your days.

I encourage you to take the first step tonight. Choose one or two tips from this post and integrate them into your bedtime routine. Notice the difference it makes in how you feel and how you start your next day. If you want to create an evening routine or develop better habits and you’d like a champion in your corner, let’s schedule time for a powerful conversation.