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How to Create Your Ideal Evening Routine

April 12 // 9 Comments // 4 Minute Read

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A solid structure the night before is crucial to a productive day ahead. Learn how to create an ideal evening routine that fits with your schedule, relieves bedtime stress, and restores your sanity!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

This post is sponsored by Mirum Shopper. All opinions and extremely dry skin are 100% my own.

A solid structure the night before is crucial to a productive day ahead. Learn how to create an ideal evening routine that fits with your schedule, relieves bedtime stress, and restores your sanity! #eveningroutine #productivity #dailyhabits #routine #selfcare

A few weeks ago, we talked about How to Make Your Mornings Insanely Productive, and one of the key success factors was preparing the night before. Sounds super simple, but it's unbelievable how much a difference this makes!

Today, I want to talk about how to create your ideal evening routine. One that doesn't feel like another set of tasks on your to-do list, but instead, helps you settle down at night and recharge for the next day.

Here's the thing—a late-night show on Netflix or scrolling through your social media feed might feel relaxing at the time, but does it really help you wind down and fall asleep? For most of us, I'm guessing it doesn't quite hit the mark.

In fact, I personally wake up feeling just as exhausted as when I went to bed in the first place! Mostly because these activities push back my bedtime, and I stay up way too late as a result.

I say let's get rid of all these distractions and plan an evening routine that relieves stress and restores your sanity. Deal? I promise you'll be SO productive come morning, you don't know what to do with your new self!

1.  Create Your Next Day's To-Do List

If you have a hard time shutting your brain down at night, I would encourage you NOT to wait until morning to write down everything you need to do. Otherwise, it will cycle over and over and keep you from getting a good night's sleep—just ask me how I know!

Instead, write out a list of 3-5 things you want to accomplish the next day and don't even think about it until morning. If you have lots of ideas and tasks swirling around in your mind, do a brain dump, then organize those thoughts according to your top priorities.

I also like to have a small notebook and pen on my nightstand for things I think of later. And hey, I've gotten pretty good at writing in the dark. 😉

daily-planning

2. Tackle a Frustration Area

Are you frustrated when you wake up and see dishes in the sink? Tired of preparing breakfast and school lunches?

For me, I can't stand opening my bedroom door and seeing a cluttered mess on the dining room table and kitchen island {which used to happen to me all the time before I learned how to do dishes—and fewer of them!}. It totally screws with my productivity and I'd rather climb straight back in bed!

Whatever it is you dread in the morning, do something about it the night before. You could spend 10-15 minutes doing a quick pickup, or get bowls and oatmeal packets out for breakfast. I personally love how Crystal tackles school lunches and has separate baskets of food ready for her kids to assemble.

It might not sound very relaxing to do housework before bed, but come morning, you'll be a much happier person when you wake up!

3. Pamper Yourself

A beauty routine can be incredibly relaxing and is helpful to “wash away” the stress of the current day. Take a shower, wash your face, and use yummy smelling soaps and scrubs to transition from hectic to unhurried.

Here's my current system:

  • Use my Homemade Makeup Remover to get rid of any residual makeup.
  • Wash face with either St. Ives® Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub or POND’S® Cold Cream Cleanser. I like to alternate between the two so my face doesn't take a beating every night with a scrub.
  • Moisturize with a good cream.

Sometimes, I will also take a shower during this time so my thick hair has time to dry a little bit before morning. Then I end my pamper sessions with Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Lotion because my skin is always SO DRY from Florida air conditioning!

beauty-products

4. Wind Down with a Relaxing Activity

This year I fell in love with reading again. I was always using excuses that I was too busy, but I was really just wasting away time on my phone before bed. Now I take 20-30 minutes to relax and read, and I honestly can't believe how many books I've read this year using this method!

For my fellow bookworms, my top tip is to not read anything too mind-bending before bed. A light fictional story or personal development book are both great options to help your brain and body relax.

If you're not a bookworm, find an activity that has the same effect. Listen to a podcast or calming music. Do some yoga or simple stretches. Pray, read the Bible, or journal a few things you are thankful for. This helps close out the day and ready your body for sleep.

5. Turn Off Lights at a Decent Time

If you're the type of person who can live on five hours of sleep, then by all means, skip this step. But for me, I need to turn out the lights no later than 10:30-11:00pm so I can make sure I'm getting enough rest. Otherwise, I turn into that cranky mess I mentioned earlier!

Believe me, I know how tempting it is to finish a good book, or find excuses to scroll through endless Instagram photos, but your body will regret it come morning. Make rest a priority, and your next day's tasks will fall right into place. 

However, if you often turn out the lights later than usual, this is a sign that you may just need to start your evening routine earlier than you normally would. OR, just make sure you're not getting distracted on your phone.

lamp

Remember, a little bit of effort each evening will reenergize you for the day ahead. Be purposefully productive, treat your body well, and of course, get a good night's sleep!

Sweet dreams!

What is an essential part of your evening routine?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. Lindsey says

    September 15 at 9:34 am

    As of this morning, lol, I have made an effort to work in a short workout into my day. This means that every morning I am up at 6am and ready to go on a morning run. So naturally, if I want my morning to go smoothly, I need to prep for my day the night before.

    An essential part of my routine is laying out my workout clothes, so when I’m still half-asleep, I don’t have to try to dress myself in the dark.

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    September 15 at 1:33 pm

    I love listening to Tim Keller (he has a podcast) at night. His teaching engages me intellectually and often touches me deeply. His voice is calm and often puts me to sleep in a good way. I don’t seem to have weird dreams much any more since I started this either. I’ve listened to many of us talks over and over; they are full of treasure.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 20 at 8:50 pm

      Do you use a speaker or headphones? My husband likes going to bed with some sort of noise in the background but I’m more of a quiet girl. Sometimes he uses headphones but they aren’t as comfortable for him if his ear is on the pillow.

      Reply
      • Janet says

        July 15 at 6:36 pm

        I use a pillow speaker, which is small and flat and lays on top of the pillow or inside the pillow case (for comfort). When the person’s ear is on it, no one can hear except the person who wants to listen. I fall asleep to podcasts or audiobooks each night. I set the sleep timer on my phone and leave the phone on the floor, so it’s not in the bed with me. I’ve experimented with various speakers that I’ve found on Amazon. I’ve just found your website, and although it’s not a productive afternoon, I’m hoping some of your ideas will inspire for future productive afternoons. Thank you.

        Reply
  3. Sarah @ The Teacher's Wife says

    September 16 at 12:53 pm

    #2 is so key for me. I hate waking up to a sink full of dishes, so I make sure I don’t go to bed until the sink is empty and the dishwasher has been started. I need to work on pampering myself some more!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 20 at 8:47 pm

      Isn’t it amazing how much less stress there is when your sink is clean when you wake up?

      Reply
  4. Arte Creo says

    September 23 at 6:45 pm

    Great tips. I needed those. Always struggling with time managment ;/ . Will give it a try.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 24 at 2:19 pm

      An evening routine could be the key! Just remember to stick to it for at least a week. It always takes a little bit to establish the routine to keep from falling back into bad habits.

      Reply
  5. LIFESTYLERKA - Żyj zdrowo & Aktywnie says

    May 7 at 4:26 am

    Next day’s to-do list it’s a great idea! Usually I do it in the morning, but I think it’s to late. Better be prepared earlier ;). I love to drink camomile in the evening, it maks me calm and relaxed :).

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
💬 | INFJ / Enneagram 1
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The busiest month of the year doesn’t have to be one you dread, especially when you try this simple, yet brilliant hack: 👇⁣
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**Number your to-do list.** ⁣
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1️⃣ Start by spilling everything you need to do this week onto the page (don’t worry about the order yet!)⁣
2️⃣ Identify your top priority.⁣
3️⃣ Number the rest of your tasks in order of importance. That’s it!⁣
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Psst… I use pencil just in case I change my mind and want to switch things around! ✏⁣
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This method does two things:⁣
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💛 It helps you focus on the next right thing...not ALL the things!⁣
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💛 It forces you to prioritize. When everything is important, nothing is important. And you want to make sure the most important things actually get done. ⁣
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FYI: You don’t have to go to every party or keep every tradition just because it’s something you “should” do or “always have done” in past holiday seasons. Lean into what you love most about this month and find freedom in letting the rest go. 👋⁣
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Because somehow, having less stuff to do makes the things you CHOOSE to do all that more special. 💖

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Even though we won't be spending Christmas in the RV, I just had to put up a few decorations to enjoy before we leave! 🎄⁣
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The next three weeks will be our first time traveling without our home-on-wheels and I'm feeling all sorts of anxiety over choosing what items to pack. We've always had everything we need with us, which means I'll probably forget something. 😬 RV living tends to spoil you in that way!⁣
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Q: Are you staying home for the holidays or going out of town?

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Earlier this fall I hosted a Facebook challenge where I invited you to define what self-care looks like for your life while making an intentional effort to incorporate it into your week. 📆⁣
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This event was even more popular than I expected, and I am so pleased with the positive results many of you shared!⁣
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What I didn't expect? 👀⁣
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The haters.⁣
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Some readers morally disagreed with my Facebook self-care event and let me know by messaging me and calling self-care "misguided," "unbiblical," and even an "idol." ⁣
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Let me be clear: I do agree that we should be careful about our priorities and not neglect our responsibilities completely for the sake of a little me-time.⁣
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👨‍👩‍👦 Your family still needs you.⁣
👨‍👩‍👦 Your church still needs you.⁣
👨‍👩‍👦 Your community still needs you.⁣
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What they don't need is someone who is a frazzled, stressed-out mess who serves out of obligation rather than joy. Because when we demonize rest, we inadvertently swing the pendulum the other way and create an idol out of working, serving, and hustling. ⚖⁣
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God didn't intend for us to wear ourselves out for His glory. Rather, I think He created us with needs (food, water, shelter, rest, etc.) to remind us that we ultimately *need* Him.⁣
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So when you take time to address those needs and care for yourself, remember that it's not selfish. It's just wise.

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Are you ready for Turkey Day tomorrow? Although I’m not hosting this year, I’m helping my sis-in-law prepare and contributing my Creamy Parmesan Mashed potatoes and a cherry pie (Joseph’s request) ☝ to the menu. ⁣
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When I *did* host Thanksgiving, my family made fun of me for being over-prepared, but they later told me it was the smoothest Thanksgiving they’ve ever had—and they weren’t just talking about the mashed potatoes! 🥔⁣
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I relied on these seven tips to pull things off without a hitch:⁣
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1️⃣ Read over your recipes one more time and confirm you have ALL the ingredients. ⁣
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2️⃣ Create your day-of timeline. Calculate backward from dinner time so you know exactly what needs to be in the oven when.⁣
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3️⃣ Copy/hang recipes on your cabinets  so you can see everything you need to make at a glance rather than being forced to flip through several cookbooks.⁣
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4️⃣ Lay out and label all food dishes (including serving ware) with sticky notes.⁣
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5️⃣ Set the table. (And perhaps bust out some crime scene tape to keep kiddos out of the dining room!) 🤣⁣
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6️⃣ Make whatever food you can ahead of time, whether it’s chopping veggies, assembling dry ingredients, or making the entire recipe and refrigerating until it’s time to warm! ⁣
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7️⃣ Do a quick clean of your kitchen so it’s fresh and ready for the big day!⁣
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Remember: the point of Thanksgiving is NOT to pull it off perfectly. 🚫⁣
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No one cares if you spill blueberries for the fruit salad all over the floor (true story) or you pull a too-jiggly peanut butter pie out of the fridge because it didn’t set right (also a true story). Those are just extra memories you can add to a table already brimming with abundance...and gratitude. 🍽Q: What is your favorite pie to eat at Thanksgiving?

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Family members are just about as different as the ice cream toppings they choose. 🍨⁣
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Even though we love them unconditionally, it's not easy for family to come together during the holidays and have it be completely drama-free. There's increased social pressure, obligation, tradition, personality differences, and always a comment or two that makes you bristle, whether it was intended that way or not! 😤⁣
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So, how can you celebrate holidays without the drama? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦⁣
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PREPARE. Head into family get-togethers knowing how you’ll respond in a tense situation. 🗣⁣
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Here are three ideas:⁣
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1️⃣ Leave the conversation and start a new one with someone else. 🚶🏻‍♀️⁣
2️⃣ Ignore the frustrating comments, and shift the conversation. 🤐⁣
3️⃣ Engage--but instead of gearing up for battle, respond with a curiosity-driven dialogue. Ask questions in order to understand the other person's perspective, rather than focus on "winning" the argument. 🥊⁣
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Most of all, prioritize being kind over being right. Because if you approach conversations with a different attitude, your button-pusher might too. 😉⁣
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Q: On a lighter note, what is YOUR favorite ice cream topping? I love rainbow sprinkles!

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Introverts, UNITE! Separately. In their own homes. And you better not stop by without calling...er...texting first. ⁣
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Whether you're an introvert yourself or have a best friend who's idea of a wild Friday night is a date with a snuggly blanket and book, then you're going to love these brilliant gift ideas picked out by an introvert (that's me!) FOR introverts! ⁣
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This roundup includes "Small Talk Survivor" pins, "Go Away" doormats and my new favorite sweatshirt, "It's Too Peopley Outside" among other laugh-worthy gifts. ⁣
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Drop a gift emoji in the comments below, and I'll send you a link to the curated list. Or you can access the post via the link in my profile!


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