Ditch the copy-and-paste writing routines

Build your own routine and start writing daily without fail

I was so bad at following routines…until I wasn’t.

If you’ve tried to copy others’ routine and adopt it for your own, and failed…

If you’ve read about:

• The 5 a.m. club

• Cold showers

• Meditation

• Journaling

You might be excited.

Are those the answers to finally nail your routine?

You try them. You like them.

But it didn’t stick.

You made a few crosses in your calendar, then you dropped the routine.

People followed them and become successful right? So why didn’t you?

I’ve done the exact same thing.

You’ve probably read it more than once.

Copy-and-paste something that seem to work for others.

Hoping for the routine to hit me like a well-oiled machine.

Guess what?

The machine started a few times, sputtered then died

I find myself throwing in more oil.

Nothing but fumes.

So instead of thriving, it’s frustrations.

These routines felt like hand-me-downs that didn’t fit.

I wasn't getting more productive—I was exhausted, trying to be someone I wasn’t.

If you’ve ever tried squeezing yourself into someone else’s routine, you know how it feels.

You want a routine to work.

Any one of them, doesn’t matter, but deep down, something feels off.

That’s because these routines aren’t built for you. They’re built for someone else’s life.

Why not build your own?

Routines are personal

What works for one person can feel like torture for another.

Think of routines like a pair of shoes.

You need to try on different ones, walk in them for a while, and break them in until they fit your lifestyle.

Copying someone else’s routine is like forcing your foot into a shoe that’s the wrong size.

• Uncomfortable

• Painful

• Unsustainable

There’s no universal formula for success.

Just because a billionaire swears by their cold showers and journaling habit doesn’t mean you’ll get the same results.

Success comes when your routine aligns with who you are, not who you’re trying to be.

So, what’s the fix?

Build a routine that’s designed for you

To do that, you need to start by asking the right questions:

1. When do you feel most energized? Morning, afternoon, or evening?

2. What are your most important goals? Productivity, creativity, or well-being?

3. How much time can you realistically dedicate? Be honest with yourself.

Instead of trying to fit your life into someone else’s mould, reverse-engineer a routine that fits your energy, your priorities, and your strengths.

When I gave up copying others’ writing routines and focused on designing my own, things shifted.

I found my flow.

I wake up as usual.

I write every day without feeling like I’m being forced.

I created a ritual that didn’t need reminding.

In fact, it felt right at home.

It was built around my needs, not someone else’s.

How to build your own routine?

1. Identify your non-negotiables

Every day presents a slew of tasks, but not all tasks are created equal.

The key to building a sustainable routine is identifying your non-negotiables.

These are actions that make the biggest impact on your goals and well-being.

What activities are absolutely essential for you to feel productive, healthy, or fulfilled?

Think of these as your daily “must-dos” that move the needle forward in a meaningful way.

Is it physical health?

Exercise could be your non-negotiable, whether it’s a 10-minute walk or a full workout.

Is it creativity or productivity?

Maybe it’s writing for 30 minutes every morning, or brainstorming ideas for your next project.

Is it mental clarity?

Meditation, journaling, or simply taking a few minutes to reflect might be essential for your mental health.

Is it self-care?

Drinking enough water, taking breaks, or cutting down on social media could make a huge difference.

By focusing on your core activities, you strip away the noise and create a routine that works for you.

Make them simple but effective, tailored to your life.

They become the foundation of your routine.

That’s how you always hit the most important parts of your day.

Even when life gets chaotic.

2. Map your energy levels

We’re not machines.

Our energy fluctuates throughout the day,

If you try to do your most important work when your energy is low?

You’re setting yourself up for failure.

Learn to work with your energy, not against it.

Take a week to track your energy levels throughout the day.

Note when you feel most alert, focused, and creative.

Is it first thing in the morning? In the afternoon? Late at night?

Peak hours

These are your golden hours when you’re most productive and focused.

Use these times to tackle your most demanding or creative tasks.

It could be your writing or problem-solving or deep work.

Low-energy hours

Don’t try to push through when your energy is dwindling.

Use these times for less intense activities.

Communicating with others, organizing your mess, any tasks that require less mental effort.

Align your routine with your natural energy rhythms, you’ll accomplish more in less time.

You’ll feel less drained at the end of the day.

You optimize your energy flow to get the best results.

3. Start small, build momentum

New routines are not going to stick if you go too big or too fast.

A two-hour morning routine is too ambitious!

You want to meditate, exercise, read, and write all at once?

That could lead to crash and burn within a week.

The key to building a lasting routine?

Start small. Aim for progress, not perfection.

Begin with just 5-10 minutes

If writing is part of your routine, start by writing for 10 minutes a day.

If it’s exercise, go for a short walk.

Focus on building consistency, not intensity.

Celebrate your momentum

Got a small habit going? Celebrate.

Kept at it for a week? Celebrate.

Didn’t hit your goal but your momentum is still there? Celebrate.

Every small win adds up.

What starts as 5 minutes of writing turns into 30 minutes, then into full creative flow.

What starts as 3 days in a row turn into a full 2 weeks.

Habits are like snowballs, roll them every day to make them big and fast.

Let momentum work its magic.

4. Be flexible, not rigid

Routines are frameworks, not chains.

Life is unpredictable, and rigid routines often crumble under pressure.

A rigid mindset might have you thinking, "If I can't follow my routine exactly, why bother at all?"

Flexibility is the antidote to this kind of all-or-nothing thinking.

When building your routine, leave room for adjustment.

Allow flexibility for days when things don’t go as planned.

Build around core elements

Bring your non-negotiables here.

Don’t be afraid to adapt

If something isn’t working, change it!

Create a structure that helps you thrive while allowing for the natural ebb and flow of life.

5. Test, tweak, refine

Routine evolve as you grow.

What works today might not work next month or next year, and that’s okay. Think of your routine as a living organism that you constantly nurture and optimize.

Experiment

Try different approaches and see what sticks.

Don’t hesitate to experiment and learn.

Refine based on results

Pay attention to how you feel and perform.

• Are you getting more done?

• Are you energized or drained?

Tweak your routine based on feedback from your own life.

Iterate for improvement

Like a scientist fine-tuning an experiment, continuously ask:

• What’s working?

• What isn’t?

• What needs a tweak?

Over time, you’ll develop a routine that feels like second nature.

Routines are never “set in stone”.

Embracing a growth mindset and make your habits serve your goals.

The real beauty of building your own routine

It’s not doing more.

It’s doing what works.

When you stop chasing after someone else’s schedule and start crafting your own, you unlock a new level of productivity, creativity, and freedom.

You stop being a prisoner to someone else’s habits and start building a life that aligns with your own values.

Forget the copy-paste routines

The key to long-term success is designing a routine that’s uniquely yours.

Because when you create a routine that works for you, that’s when the magic happens.

The only routine that truly matters is the one that lets you win your day.

Don’t chase someone else’s success blueprint.

Build your own.

You’ll see how well it works when it sticks.

Thanks for reading.

If this helps, let me know in the comments.