Experimenting With a Better Nighttime Routine
Lately, I’ve been trying to build a more intentional nighttime routine.
I don’t follow it perfectly—and honestly, lately I’ve been getting home later than I’d like—but having some structure has helped me manage stress and actually enjoy my evenings again.
For a long time, my nights were a blur.
I’d get home around 10PM after teaching at Karate RX, eat dinner, clean up a bit, walk the dogs, scroll on my phone, and then somehow it was 2AM and I was still wide awake—usually working through new ideas on ChatGPT.
It wasn’t that I lacked discipline; my brain just didn’t know how to slow down. I’d spend all day in high output mode, then bring that same energy into the night.
So, I started testing a routine—not to be perfect, but to give myself a rhythm to land the plane.
🌙 The Routine I’m Building
It’s still evolving, but it gives my nights shape and purpose instead of chaos.
10:00–10:30 PM | Arrival & Reset
I get home, eat dinner, and walk the dogs. I try to stay off my phone during this time and just decompress.
(I also don’t keep email on my phone—I check it once a day on my laptop, and that’s been one of the best boundaries I’ve ever set.)
10:30–11:00 PM | Shower & Brain Dump
The shower helps mark the end of the day. Afterward, I take a couple of minutes to jot down whatever ideas or to-dos are in my head. Getting them out helps me mentally power down.
11:30 PM–12:30 AM | Solo Recharge (When I Can)
Some nights I get home later, and this part shifts—but it’s the piece that’s helped me most with stress.
This is my intentional alone time: reading, playing a game, or just relaxing quietly.
It’s not about being productive; it’s about letting my mind breathe after a full day of giving energy to everyone else.
12:30–1:30 AM | Wind Down & Sleep Transition
I plug my phone in away from the bed, quickly review Todoist for the next day, and wind down with Kash.
If I can’t fall asleep right away, I’ll read a bit or do some slow breathing—nothing forced, just relaxed.
💡 What’s Working
(Even When I Don’t Follow It Perfectly)
It gives my nights direction. Even when things run late, I know what the flow should feel like.
My phone no longer runs the show. I’m intentional about when I use it and why.
The solo recharge time matters. Having dedicated time to decompress—even late—has reduced my stress more than I expected.
Flexibility wins. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s awareness and intention.
⚔️ Why This Matters
When you run a business, train hard, and push yourself creatively, your mind doesn’t automatically shut off at night.
This routine gives me a system for slowing down—a small window where I can recharge before starting again the next day.
If your nights feel scattered or stressful, start with one step:
Build a small framework that helps you end the day intentionally.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Just consistent enough to remind you: the day is done, and you’ve earned your rest.
🥋 The Average Ninja Mindset
This whole experiment fits right into what Average Ninja is all about—discipline, balance, and awareness in real life.
We don’t chase perfection. We chase progress with intention.
Whether it’s training, business, or just getting better at resting, the goal is the same:
to live with more control, more clarity, and a little more peace at the end of the day.
Until next time!