Buzz
Until recently, I was the type of person rushing around in the morning, trying to get ready as fast as I could to make sure I arrived at work early. Once I got there, I’d dive into my day even before the actual work began, too anxious about being late or missing something to stop for coffee.
I've always adhered to rules, and one of the adulting rules we all know is that you're never supposed to be late or unprepared for work, or you risk underperforming. If you show up at 9:03 without having read the news or brainstormed a few new ideas, you might as well start job hunting. As someone working in productivity, I feel an extra pressure to always perform at my best.
But here’s the secret that many before me have realized: There’s a better way to live. Honestly, no one cares if you’re always early. I’m not exactly sure when this hit me, but recently, I’ve started to ignore the advice on how your mornings ‘should’ look, which I even discussed in our video on the year's upgrades. Call it a productivity overload, but rather than draining all my mental energy in the morning, I’ve shifted to easing into my days.
In a way, this might be the simplest thing I could do. But in a time when optimization and life hacks are everywhere, it almost feels like a small act of defiance. Instead of setting an alarm for 5 a.m. to write morning pages, run a 5k, and prepare a full meal before my workday starts, I’ve simply chosen to relax.
Adopting a Flexible Daily Routine
I’m not referring to meditating or diving into any ‘self-care’ practices that only add more tasks to my to-do list. What I mean is, typically, I:
I sleep an hour longer than I used to, getting out of bed around 7:30 a.m.
I leisurely move around my apartment, making french press coffee and tuning in to NPR or a podcast.
I avoid checking the time, allowing myself to get ready at my own pace, ensuring I feel comfortable in my clothes and taking my time with my skincare routine. I might tidy up a bit if needed.
If I’m ready before 8:30 a.m., I sit on the couch with my coffee and just listen to whatever’s on, not checking emails or Slack during this time. I simply relax before heading out the door.
Like I mentioned, this isn’t a groundbreaking routine, yet it’s undeniably improved my mood. Just to clarify, I live alone, have no children, and work regular hours, giving me the freedom to shape my days as I wish. So why hadn’t I realized this before?
I’m not sure exactly when it became my habit to rush everywhere, arrive early, and focus only on work and the never-ending tasks of the day. But realizing that I don’t have to live that way was an eye-opener. Another revelation: I realized I could just remove something from my to-do list that had been lingering for months—and it didn’t matter at all. When your mornings are calm and even enjoyable, your workday tends to be much more productive and pleasant.
No Need for Optimization
Of course, there are exceptions. Occasionally, I’m under a tight deadline and have to work from home before heading to the office, or I’ll get to work early to ensure I meet a deadline. There are days when 7:30 becomes 7:45, then 7:55, and I have to hurry things up. And yes, there are moments when my mind tells me to push through, and I have to remind myself to take a breath and relax. But for the most part, I stick to my routine.
That’s not to say I’ve completely rid myself of my productivity and optimization urges (it’s impossible not to). I’m always updating my to-do lists, learning new skills to improve, and thinking about the next task ahead. But working on quieting that inner noise, and giving myself an hour in the morning to pause and prepare for the day, has ironically been my biggest productivity booster. I feel better throughout the workday, so I get more done. That workday momentum carries over, giving me enough energy to go to the gym, catch a movie, visit a museum, or whatever else I feel like doing. When I was rushing all day, I had little energy left by the end of it.
But that’s just an added benefit, not the main goal. The real purpose is to feel better and enjoy life more. It’s about savoring small moments before diving into whatever the world throws at me the rest of the day. It’s clearing out the mental clutter that often fills our minds, and taking an hour just to be—no need for optimization.
