I’ve been seeing a lot of posts and videos about “perfect” morning routines — wake up at 5 AM, hydrate, meditate, journal, exercise, cold shower, read 10 pages, meal prep, affirmations... all before 7 AM. I get the idea behind it: discipline, productivity, mental clarity. But I’m wondering how realistic these routines are for most people. I’m not against structure, but it feels like a full-time job just to start the day. Especially if someone has kids, commutes, or works shifts. Has anyone here actually stuck to one of these routines consistently? Did it make a real difference or just feel like more pressure?
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I’ve tried a few versions of those routines, and while they sound great on paper, they don’t always translate well into real life. The biggest challenge I found was sustainability. For the first week or two, waking up early and stacking all those tasks gave me a sense of control — but soon it started to feel robotic and overly scheduled. I think part of the issue is that many of these routines are created in a vacuum, without much regard for personal lifestyle, energy levels, or even cultural differences. Also, there’s a lot of content circulating that sells the idea that productivity equals worth. That adds a subtle kind of guilt if your morning doesn’t “tick all the boxes.” I now keep things way simpler: I wake up, stretch a bit, have my coffee without distractions, and mentally check in with myself. That alone helps me enter the day calmer. For anyone curious about apps that support more grounded routines, I’d suggest looking into the liven app — there are tools that aim for balance, not just optimization.