5 Simple Things I Do Before I Go To Bed Every Night
Learn the routine that changed my life.
Now more than ever, I cherish the moments right before sleep. The kids are peacefully dozing. My wife and I can finally talk about how the day went and how we want future days, months and years to go.
It took far too long for me to realize how valuable this evening time is. But once I did and a routine was established, my life changed.
I think yours can, too. This is what works for me. Please feel free to steal anything on this list and incorporate it into your own nightly habits.
1
Browse the Netflix library. Do not actually watch anything.
So essential. The whole point of entertainment is not to be entertained, but to know enough to hold your own in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. Here’s an example conversation you’ll be able to have once you browse Netflix every night.
Boss: Have you seen Bloodline?
You: No, but it’s on my list! Netflix, right? With the coach from Friday Night Lights? How is it?
Boss: [proceeds to spoil the entire show]
You: [mentally records new tidbits you can share when someone else asks if you’ve seen Bloodline]
See how that works? You were able to demonstrate accurate pop culture knowledge while simultaneously being curious about something your boss is into. That’s just good humaning.
Is Better Call Saul a shockingly good Breaking Bad spinoff? Probably! Does Orange Is The New Black keep getting better? Sure! Is The Little Prince a beautiful, soul-filling animated tale? It just might be! Do you have the time to watch all that stuff? LOL of course not. You need sleep, idiot.
Keep browsing. Stop watching. Get more sleep.
2
Check Medium notifications.
Has Medium Staff featured your passionate and thorough essay on why Ross is the best Friends character and seriously it is not even close? No? CURSES.
Check again in 10 minutes. Maybe they’re still reading it.
3
Ask yourself, “Where the balls did I put my journal?”
It happened again this morning. Ben Hardy wrote another Medium post on how journaling magically turns you into the person you’ve always wanted to be. It got like 20,000 recommends. You’re pretty sure you haven’t gotten 20,000 views on all your Medium posts, but you tried not to dwell on that. “This is it!” you thought. “Today is the day I finally stick with journaling every day.”
But you can’t journal if you can’t find it. Hey, you tried. Tomorrow is another day. That thing is bound to turn up.
4
Get an advertising jingle from childhood stuck in your head for no discernible reason other than your brain is laughing at you.
FIVE EIGHT EIGHT. TWO THREE HUNDRED. EMPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE.
5
Watch your favorite episode of The Office. Again.
A clear violation of the “browse only” philosophy, but whatever. Our ancestors counted sheep. You stream “The Dundies” for the 105th time.
Good work. You can sleep well knowing you crushed your nightly routine once again. You’re now positioned to dominate your day tomorrow.
