Do you have a nighttime routine? 

There’s always a lot of talk about the morning routines of successful writers, but I believe having a good nighttime routine is just as important. 

Just as your morning routine can set the stage for your entire day, your nighttime routine can determine the mood of your morning. Having a bedtime regimen can help you sleep better at night which means more energy for writing and all of your other activities of the day. 

A nighttime routine doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply a set of activities you do 30 minutes to two hours before you go to sleep. The Sleep Foundation recommends going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, if possible. If you have a regular bedtime, you’ll know when you need to begin your nighttime routine each evening. 

Planning Session. Before you go to sleep, take some time to plan out the next day. Make a list of everything you need, want, and must do tomorrow. Choose three things on the list that are your top priorities and schedule when you will do them. Then try to schedule other things on your list. But if your agenda gets too packed, give yourself the grace to move some tasks to another day. 

Journaling. I love to journal before bed. Sometimes I use this journaling time to reflect on the day but most of my nighttime journaling sessions are spent either doing a brain dump of everything on my mind or jotting down 10 ideas I have for essays, articles, or my business. Getting all of these thoughts and ideas out of my head and onto helps me rest better. 

Meditation. I’ll be honest. Meditation is very difficult for me. I struggle to make it a priority in my life. But when I meditate, I’m always glad I did – especially before bed. Guided meditations always help me relax and release the stress of the day. 

Reading Time. Good writers read good writing. That’s one of my favorite things to tell the women of the See Jane Write community. Reading gives you the tools and inspiration you need to write. So try to read at least a few pages of a book each night before bed.

Skin Care Routine. OK, I know what you’re thinking: What does my skincare routine have to do with my writing? Hear me out. First of all, skin care is a form of self-care, which is highly important for writers. But developing a skin care regimen is a lot like crafting a writing routine.

To take good care of your skin you need the right products and you need to apply them in the right order and at the right time. For example, you know to wash your face with La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Cream Cleanser before you apply the Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer and Ultra Eye Cream.

Likewise, if you know you do your best writing first thing in the morning, you need to get up early so you can write before you tackle the rest of your to-do list.

Just as you use might use La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, you must protect your writing time. And using the Thermal Spring Water to refresh my skin reminds me to refresh my ideas by making time to read too.

What’s in your nighttime routine?