The exploration of the daily routines of successful individuals is a subject of considerable intrigue. It is often believed that understanding how one organizes their day, hour by hour, may unveil the essential components of their success, creativity, happiness, charm, and wealth.
As American filmmaker and artist Miranda July articulates, “All I ever really want to know is how other people are making it through life – where do they put their body, hour by hour, and how do they cope inside of it.” Within our daily lives, we also encounter our vulnerabilities—awkward interactions with colleagues, inner conflicts fueled by repetitive thoughts, and episodes of procrastination, such as watching Netflix.
After conducting interviews with numerous creative Australians regarding their daily routines, I realized that I lacked a structured regimen of my own. Becoming acutely aware of my irregular sleep patterns, absence of an exercise routine, and propensity for procrastination, I resolved to develop a “super-routine” based on the insights I had gathered and to embark on a 30-day “habit experiment.”
It is widely accepted that effective habit formation necessitates focusing on a single habit at a time. My interpretation of this advice was to adopt or discard a different habit each day, ultimately accumulating a new set of habits over the course of a month. Day 1 would involve waking up early; Day 2 would entail waking up early and exercising; Day 3 would consist of waking up early, exercising, and turning off my phone by 10 PM to avoid spending excessive time online.
Does this sound exhausting? Here is a detailed account of Day 30—the final day of my experiment.
The ‘Perfect’ Daily Routine
6:00 AM
I hit the snooze button when the alarm sounds—some habits are difficult to break.
6:08 AM
Resisting the temptation for a second snooze, I consume half a liter of water. On some mornings, I add Himalayan salt and lime juice, which are believed to help reset one’s biorhythms.
6:10 AM
I change out of my pajamas and into an “air bath”—a practice inspired by 18th-century revolutionary Benjamin Franklin, who advocated for the health benefits of nudity. He would sit unclothed for 30 minutes in a cold room to enhance his immune system. I concede after 10 minutes, having detected no benefits from enduring the cold.
6:20 AM
Having eliminated coffee on Day 24, I prepare a cup of green tea before settling at my desk to engage in 10 minutes of free-flowing creative writing. Upon completion, I set a daily intention, such as “smile more” or “be kind.”
6:35 AM
Although repetitive, consuming the same breakfast daily is a common time-saving strategy. I alternate between microwave scrambled eggs with spinach and a pre-prepared frittata.
6:45 AM
While eating breakfast at my computer, I allocate time to respond to emails and transcribe interviews.
7:30 AM
Morning exercise appears to be a prevalent habit among busy creatives. I venture outside for a brief run around the park. While still breathless, I listen to a “positive thinking” meditation recording during my cool-down stretches. Combining habits has proven essential for establishing automatic behavioral cues and managing my expanding to-do list.
7:55 AM
Before entering the shower, I place a tablespoon of coconut oil in my mouth and engage in 20 minutes of “oil pulling” while preparing for work. The premise is that toxins adhere to the oil, and expelling it enhances oral health, whitens teeth, and improves skin clarity.
8:20 AM
Having restricted social media usage to twice daily, I opt to listen to a new podcast during my morning commute instead of mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, while observing fellow passengers engrossed in their smartphones.
9:00 AM
The Pomodoro Technique, favored by many interviewees, involves working in 25-minute intervals followed by a five-minute break. I find this method to be an effective way to commence my workday.
10:00 AM
To ensure I take my vitamins, I place them next to my computer and set a daily alarm as a reminder.
12:30 PM
Many creatives I have interviewed emphasize the importance of breaks. I make a conscious effort to step away from the computer each day to enjoy some fresh air, whether by taking a walk or running an errand.
2:00 PM
Mastering the art of saying no, I politely decline a colleague’s invitation for drinks, citing my need to adhere to a daily budget. Part of the experiment involves tracking my expenditures in the notes section of my phone.
5:20 PM
I visit a thrift store with a bag of dresses I have not worn in over a year—part of my habit of giving items away.
5:30 PM
Recognizing my tendency to remain within a restrictive comfort zone, I challenge myself to engage in an activity that frightens me each day. For instance, I perform a cartwheel in the park, which feels liberating as I connect with my daring, playful side. I also take the initiative to ask out a gentleman I have developed an interest in through Instagram.
7:00 PM
Having prepared meals in bulk over the weekends and imposed a ban on sugar and alcohol, my dinner consists of meatloaf and vegetables every day of the week.
8:00 PM
It has been years since I engaged in a hands-on creative activity. For the purpose of this experiment, I commit to sketching each night. Initially apprehensive about putting pencil to paper, I remind myself of a common mantra among artists I have interviewed: do not concern yourself with the quality; simply create.
9:00 PM
I practice the piano for 20 minutes. I had abandoned lessons at the age of nine and have regretted it ever since, so I have resumed lessons for this experiment. Following this, I practice juggling as a form of brain training while listening to another podcast.
9:30 PM
Due to the early mornings, I find myself exhausted by this time. I proceed to my nightly routine: removing makeup, splashing my face with ice-cold water to reduce under-eye bags, cleansing, and moisturizing.
9:40 PM
To cultivate gratitude, I write a list of my daily accomplishments on a Post-it note—ranging from clearing my email inbox to offering someone a compliment—and affix the note to the wall as a positive reminder.
9:59 PM
Social media can be a significant time drain, particularly in the moments before bed when clickbait articles appear enticing in a sleepy haze. I switch my phone to airplane mode and opt to read a book instead.
10:00 PM
I read four pages of a novel before succumbing to a restful slumber.
The Verdict
After 30 days, I contemplated whether I had undergone a transformation. Did the habit experiment render me a successful, happy, charming, and exceedingly wealthy individual with a flawless routine? Not quite.
I certainly encountered setbacks during the experiment—I overslept, checked social media outside of designated times, and neglected my juggling practice. Maintaining a perfect routine proved to be exhausting, and daily life became overly focused on productivity rather than on how I genuinely wished to spend my time.
These lapses during the experiment led to the development of what has become my favorite habit: the “sabit.” This concept allows for a day of respite from my habits each week. There exists a societal pressure to fill our days from morning until night—to seize each moment—but learning to embrace periods of inactivity and liberate oneself from the constraints of a to-do list emerged as my most significant takeaway.
While I have retained certain habits, I have learned to view them as “beneficial to pursue when possible.” These include turning off my phone upon entering bed, exercising, reading and writing daily, and avoiding coffee and sugar. A routine serves merely as a framework that enables us to allocate time for meaningful activities and should not become another unrealistic expectation we impose upon ourselves.
Ultimately, a perfect schedule does not equate to a perfect life. Such a notion is a fallacy. We need not strive to emulate another individual’s idealized routine in the hope of achieving their version of success. Instead, we should experiment with what works best for us.
