When Life Feels Unstable, the Greatest Comfort Is Knowing There’s a Way Back
When life feels unsteady, it’s not grand plans that hold us together, but small routines we can return to each day. Explore Ian’s routine and reflect on the structure that could support your year ahead.
How have you been feeling lately? As the year comes to an end, the season is filled with gatherings and holidays that can feel uplifting—yet oddly unsettling at the same time. Before we realise it, the year slips by, leaving us with the nagging feeling that we haven’t really done anything at all. Reflecting on how much we accomplished compared to what we planned can feel discouraging, and the arrival of a new year can feel more daunting than hopeful. You’re not alone. There’s even a term for it: end-of-year anxiety.
If these feelings sound familiar, take a moment to listen to Ian’s story. When uncertainty settles into everyday life, it can be a quiet invitation to consider how we might respond—for ourselves.
Ian
Part 1. What Does Your Everyday Life Look Like?
#Healthy #Calm #Authentic #What Matters Most Should Not Be Driven By What Matters Least
Ian, who founded and leads Routinery, is currently focused on two things above all else. The first is building products that genuinely solve users’ problems. The second is creating a company where people truly want to work. Both goals are deeply tied to Routinery. After all, as someone who built a routine app designed to help people act without relying on sheer willpower, Ian is equally intentional about the routines that support his own goals.
Part 2. Starting the Day Well—and Carrying That Rhythm Through
Ian's morning routine
Ian consistently practises both a morning routine and an evening routine. He began his morning routine to secure a clear, uninterrupted moment for himself. But to wake up feeling refreshed enough to follow through, he realised that quality sleep had to come first—which naturally led to creating an evening routine as well.
Each routine follows the same three-part structure: emptying, filling, and expressing.
First, he “empties” himself through journaling or meditation. Then, he “fills” that space with insight or inspiration through reading. Finally, he “expresses” what he has absorbed through writing. No matter how busy the day becomes, Ian makes sure to practise at least the “emptying” stage. When daily life becomes hectic and both mind and emotions feel unsettled, these routines help return him to a steadier state—to something resembling normal.
Of course, living as the founder of a company is far from easy. There are countless responsibilities and people to look after. Even completing just one of the three steps every single day can feel unrealistic. Ian admits that maintaining routines consistently is still a challenge for him. That’s why he came up with his own workaround: using Apple’s built-in Shortcuts feature. He set it up so that the moment he turns off his morning alarm, his morning routine automatically launches in Routinery.
This design extends Routinery’s behavioural principles beyond the app itself. The instant the alarm is dismissed, the next action appears—no thinking required, just follow through. One of the main challenges Ian wanted to overcome through Routinery was decision fatigue: the time and energy spent wondering what to do next. In that sense, he feels he’s found a solution that fits him perfectly.
Part 3. Routinery Is a Companion for the Start and End of the Day
Do you remember the first time you thought seriously about building a routine of your own? When we hear the word routine, we often assume it means doing more. When planning a morning routine, for example, we try to cram in as many tasks as possible, driven by the urge to optimise every minute.
But listening to Ian’s story, it becomes clear that routines don’t have to be about adding more. Sometimes, simply creating a place to return to is enough—especially when life throws unexpected waves our way. Just as Ian finds comfort in beginning and ending his day with Routinery, a routine can become an anchor rather than a checklist.
A new year is just around the corner. Many of us are closing out this year while sketching plans for the next. Instead of setting overly ambitious resolutions, what if we started with a small routine—one that quietly supports each day?
In 2026, Routinery will be there to walk that journey with you.
Did this story resonate with you, even just a little? We’re always looking to hear more real stories from Routinery users. Your routine doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be yours.
