Creating an evening routine can help set your next day up for success and reduce the stress and overwhelm of waking up already feeling behind. These resources can help you do just that without spending hours on a routine.
It’s hard to have a good morning if you go to sleep already behind. Having a good evening routine can greatly improve your mornings and help set the day up for success.
Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, having a solid evening routine can make all the difference. As someone who values a smooth start to the day, I’ve found that getting things sorted in the evening helps me stay on track.
So, let’s chat about crafting an evening routine that sets you up for a great morning, no matter your schedule or preferences. From tying up loose ends to unwinding with some well-deserved downtime, we’ll cover all the bases.
Because here’s the thing: when you take care of business in the evening, you’re giving yourself a head start for the next day. And who doesn’t love waking up feeling prepared and ready to tackle whatever comes their way?
Ready to make your evenings work for you? Let’s dive in and create a routine that sets you up for success, one night at a time.
Creating an Evening Routine That Works
Everyone’s evening routine will look a bit different but there are a few things you want to consider when making your evening routine to help ensure it will work for you.
1. When do you need to go to bed?
Ideally, you want to get 7-8+ hours of sleep, so count back from when you want to get up. Remember to account for the time falling asleep, if like me you take a while. And if you aren’t waking up rested add 15 minutes each night until you do feel rested in the morning. Some people need more sleep than others.
2. Go to bed with a clean kitchen.
This is the thing I’m working on the most. I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen so getting my kitchen organized and easier to keep clean is high on my list.
A lot of families like to do this task together and call it “putting the kitchen to bed.” If everyone pitches in you can get it done in no time. If you are doing it alone just turn on some music or a podcast to make it a bit easier. You can also set a time to race to get it done, I find this helps motivate me to stay on track.
3. Write your to-do list.
Be sure to go over your calendar and write your to-do list before bed. This can help get things off of your mind and help you sleep. Even if it’s just more of a brain dump it can be helpful.
4. Get your clothes ready for the next day.
If you work away from home or have kids that are going to school, set out clothes the night before. You don’t want to be searching for socks when you need to be getting out the door.
Even if you are a full-time homemaker it can be helpful to lay out your clothes. It’s easy when staying home to stay in PJs or workout clothes all day but studies have shown we are more productive if we get dressed each day.
5. Have your breakfast planned and prepped if possible.
I’m not much of a breakfast eater so this isn’t a big one for me but if you need to get out the door early this can be extremely helpful. You can make some easy make-ahead breakfasts to have on hand to make it easy.
If you have kids, teaching them young to make their breakfast is also a great way to make the mornings easier. I remember at a very young age getting my breakfast in the morning. Make it simple and even young kids will be able to take on this task.
6. Do something that helps you relax.
Choose something you find relaxing to do in the evenings. I often will work on a puzzle or work on a craft project. It’s nice to turn off social media and the endless scrolling and do something else.
I also like to listen to an audiobook before bed. This is generally the last thing I do and it really helps me fall asleep earlier than scrolling social media or watching something.
7. Take it slowly.
One thing to try is to just add 2-3 things to your routine at a time and let them become habits. You can keep track of this free printable habit tracker. It’s easy to want to do all the things at once but working slowly is more likely to last.
Taking the Make Over Your Evenings course is what helped me create my evening routine. There is so much great information in the 14-day course.
If you have a good evening routine you can wake up feeling like you are a step ahead for the day, instead of several steps behind.
My Evening Routine
This doesn’t always happen but this is my ideal evening routine. When I follow this I feel like I sleep better and wake up not already feeling behind.
- Clean up the kitchen and start the dishwasher.
- Walkthrough the house and do a quick pickup.
- Layout my clothes.
- Give the cat his nighttime treat.
- Get ready for bed.
- Listen to an audiobook in bed.
- Go to sleep.
This is a very simple routine but if I check everything off of the list I know I’m going to be starting my next day off in a better place.
Karen says
One of the first things I tell my clients is that in order to become a morning person, they must create a night routine. Working backwards from when you want to get up to the time you go to bed to get 7-8 hours is so important and then work in at least a half hour if not an hour of “getting ready” for bed. Love you ideas. Sounds like you have your night routine down.
Lisa Sharp says
It really does help! Glad you liked it.
Susannah says
I really need to some up with a bedtime routine! I “forget” that I have a son who wakes me up between six and seven every morning so I never get enough sleep!
Lisa Sharp says
It helps so much!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
Having a routine makes such a difference! I always make sure the kitchen is done and I straighten up the living room, before I go to bed. Who wants to get up to mess, and be behind before you start?
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comment, Lisa!
Lisa Sharp says
Yes, my day starts out so much nicer when the house is clean when I wake up.
Erin says
These are some helpful tips! I also feel better when my kitchen is clean before bed. I really like the idea of writing my to-do list before bed – that would be such a great way for me to clear my head. Like you – I really have tried to limit my phone time while in bed – I get sucked right into reading different things. Thanks for the pointers!
Lisa Sharp says
It really does help to get your to-do list out of your head before bed. And it’s so easy to get sucked in to the vortex that is the internet. 🙂
Donnica says
I don’t have a routine, but really should establish one. Going to bed with a clean kitchen is something I really need to work on as well so this will definitely be added to my list. Great suggestions!
Lisa Sharp says
It’s a big one for me. Cleaning the kitchen is my least favorite chore so I hate waking up with it a mess.
Natalie says
Oh my gosh, I need this SO badly! My husband and I keep talking about the fact that we’re both not getting enough sleep. I definitely stay up way too late working, then panic about the housework I still have to work, which means I stay up later cleaning! It’s a tough cycle, but I need to make changes! 😀
Lisa Sharp says
It’s hard to get enough sleep but it’s something we all need to make a bigger priority for sure. Hope some of these tips will help you. I really recommend the Make Over Your Morning course if you haven’t done. It has helped me a lot.
Angie Scheie says
I feel so much better when I am following a night and morning routine. That morning course looks really interesting!
Lisa Sharp says
I can’t say enough good things about the course.
Allison Jones says
I love the idea of creating a nighttime routine. I think it would help me sleep way better if I got into a groove and had a before bed ritual. Mine would definitely involve chamomile tea.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Lisa Sharp says
It does help. I love a cup of tea before bed, it’s so calming.
Deanna says
I’m really trying to be in bed by 10 p.m. I know I need more sleep. I like the idea of using a diffuser. After my “No Buy January” is over I think I will invest in one.
Lisa Sharp says
It is very nice and relaxing!
Roz says
One thing I figured out is that reading on my kindle is fine, but reading on my iPad is a problem for me at bedtime. The backlight on my iPad has a stimulant effect, plus it’s too easy to check FB “just one more time” and I’m up another hour!! My kindle is one of the inexpensive ones that isn’t backlit, purposefully bought so I can use it outside, but I bought a fairly expensive case, with a “night light”, so I can use it in a dark room. Plus, it doesn’t have easy access to Facebook!!
Lisa Sharp says
I have a non-backlit Kindle as well. I have Irlen Syndrome and use an overlay to read and if they are backlit it doesn’t work. I need to get a reading light to use with it though.
Ashley says
Awesome tips!! I struggle with going to sleep and the reading while I drink my tea just might help.
Nicole says
Dirty kitchens stress me out too! Not my husband. Since we try to split chores (e.g. I cook, he cleans), I often wake up to dirty dishes in the sink. I hate it. It does really mess up my morning.
Lisa Sharp says
Have you thought about switching some chores with him? Maybe there is another chore that would be better for him that you are currently doing.
Julie Federico says
What a fantastic idea. I think including kids in a nighttime routine for their own would be helpful. I always try to include their help out, so this might be the ticket to a more rested mom.
Lisa Sharp says
A more rested mom is a good thing for everyone! 🙂
Wendy @ Tubal Pregnancy says
Cleaning up kitchen before going to bed used to be a chore for me. I then discussed this issue with my family. Now my hubby and kids join in with me. We clean the kitchen and living room laughing and discussing our day. This has helped in our bonding and make us sleep with a smile and a lighter head.