When I first heard people talk about their 5-to-9 routine, I used to roll my eyes a little. In my 20s, those hours were mostly a blur. I’d rush from work to dinner plans, answer a few more emails, or collapse onto the couch with whatever takeout I could find. I thought “evening routine” meant a list of tasks to perfect, another chance to optimize. But lately, as I’ve stepped into my 30s (finally! yay!), I’ve started to think differently about this time. It’s not something to race toward or get through. My 5-to-9 routine is something to savor.
Over the past few years, I’ve experimented with what those after-work hours can look like. Some nights, that means slipping on leggings for a quick workout I didn’t fit in earlier. Others, it’s an impromptu dinner with friends or an event that gets me out of my comfort zone. And during the darker, slower months, it’s curling up in bed by seven with a book, my cats, and a cup of tea. These small shifts have taught me that the perfect routine isn’t one that looks the same every day—it’s one that meets you where you are.
Featured image from our interview with Chloé Crane-Leroux by Michelle Nash.
How I Romanticized My 5-to-9 Routine—and Changed the Way I End Every Day
Designing your 5-to-9 routine is an experiment in flexibility, not rigidity. It’s about choosing what fills your cup—whatever that looks like tonight.
When you approach your evenings with softness and intention, they become more than just the hours that follow your workday. They become the space where life actually happens.
Reclaiming the Transition
For a long time, my evenings felt like an afterthought—a spillover from the day’s demands. I’d log off work, scroll aimlessly, and wonder why the hours seemed to vanish. Eventually, I realized what was missing: a moment of transition. When I began to mark the end of my workday with small, sensory rituals, I noticed how much lighter I felt. It wasn’t about doing more—it was about being more present for myself.
Change your clothes. There’s something symbolic about swapping into your “comfies.” It’s a physical cue that tells your body: the workday is done. Whether it’s a favorite sweater or an oversized button-up, comfort becomes the first act of self-care.
Light a candle. The warm glow and subtle scent set the tone for the hours ahead—inviting you to slow down, breathe deeper, and enjoy being home.
Tidy the kitchen. Resetting your space resets your mind. Clearing the counter, stacking dishes, or wiping down surfaces takes just a few minutes but creates an immediate sense of order. It’s a quiet way of preparing for rest. I like to think of it as turning down your environment before turning in.
The Sensory Wind-Down
When the pace of the day finally slows, I anchor in my senses. It helps turn ordinary moments into something quietly special. These small choices remind me that care doesn’t have to be complicated: it can live in the textures and rituals that soothe me back into myself.
Dim the lights. In the evening, I trade harsh overhead lighting for the soft glow of candles. The shift feels almost emotional—it’s as if the room exhales, inviting me to do the same.
Play something gentle. Music has a way of shaping our mood. Lately—as a nod to the cozy season—I’ve been queuing up jazz or something similarly vibey. It turns dinner prep or folding laundry into a small act of ceremony.
Indulge your senses. I love misting a linen spray before jumping into bed. A small sensory touch reminds me to savor what’s right here: the warmth of the moment, the peace of slowing down, and the beauty in the ordinary.
Disconnect With Intention
Some evenings, I’ll reach for my phone out of habit—checking one more email or one more text. But I’ve learned that my energy doesn’t shift until my screen time does. Creating space to unplug has become one of the most restorative parts of my 5-to-9 routine. It’s less about restriction and more about reclaiming attention, space, and quiet.
Set a screen curfew. About an hour before bed, I try to power down—not as a hard rule, but as an opportunity to rest. Closing the laptop and silencing notifications helps me feel like I’m choosing my evening, rather than letting it disappear into a feed.
Swap scrolling for something tactile. When I reach for a book, a recipe, or even my journal, I remember how grounding it feels to use my hands. Sometimes I’ll write a few lines about the day or plan tomorrow’s dinner—simple, nourishing ways to reconnect with myself.
Nourishing Moments
By the time evening settles in, I’m usually craving something grounding—something that brings me back into my body after a full day spent mostly in my head. Making a simple meal or steeping a cup of tea has become less about routine and more about ritual. It’s the hour when I reconnect with myself—the soft, unhurried joy that makes these 5-to-9 hours so special.
Cook something slow and comforting. Whether it’s a soup, a tray of roasted vegetables, or pasta, I lean into meals that require minimal effort but offer maximum warmth. The sound of something simmering feels like a heartbeat for the home—steady, soothing, and alive.
Set the table, even just for one. It doesn’t have to be elaborate: a linen napkin, a candle, maybe a little flaky salt on the side. Creating beauty in small ways reminds me that nourishment isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about how it feels to sit down and truly taste it.
Savor the moment. Whether I’m eating solo or with friends, I try to let conversation linger—or silence, if that’s what the night calls for. This small act of presence turns an ordinary meal into something meaningful.
Reflect and Restore
When the day finally winds down, I try to end on a quiet note. These are the moments when I take stock: noticing how I feel, what I need, and what I can let go of. It’s a small act of care that sets the tone for tomorrow.
Journal, but keep it simple. I don’t pressure myself to fill a page. Sometimes it’s one line about what brought me joy that day, or one thing I’m grateful for. Writing helps me step outside the noise and see the good that was there all along.
Stretch, breathe, or move gently. Even five minutes of slow movement helps me release the tension that builds throughout the day. Honestly though? I’ve gotten into the habit of simply sitting by the window, breathing deeply—the night air reminding me to slow down, too.
Savor the wind-down. I turn down the covers, sip tea, and reach for my current read. These small gestures remind me that rest isn’t a reward—it’s a rhythm. And when I treat it as something sacred, even the simplest evening feels like a return home to myself.
Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a rhythm.
Soak Up the Stillness
Over time, I’ve realized that romanticizing my evenings is about creating small moments that remind me I’m alive, right here, right now. My 5-to-9 routine changes with the seasons, with my energy, with the rhythm of life itself. But at its core, it’s about choosing softness over striving. When I let myself slow down, I remember that beauty isn’t something to schedule—it’s something to notice.
