2025 has been a bit of a speed bump in my adult life. Having just passed seven years of sobriety, I’ve been growing in my career, personal life, and overall wellbeing. But this year, I’ve been unemployed for nine months—aside from a few odd days here and there. Strangely enough, I’m content. Still, it’s made me reevaluate how I spend my days. Some of it works, and some of it needs tweaking. If you know me, that won’t come as a surprise—I get a kick out of finding the most efficient way to operate.
I’m fairly happy with my routine, but I’ve noticed a couple weak points. The biggest is the lack of structure between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sitting at home during these hours makes it easy to drift into distractions. I’m disciplined enough, but without boundaries, the hours can disappear into mindless screen time. Sure, I apply for jobs, but the way I spend these hours isn’t exactly propelling me toward my next dream role. By lunchtime, I’m often making food while half-scrolling through social media, news, or whatever site fits my mood.
A few small adjustments have already started making a difference:
1. Work somewhere outside the house.
I count researching companies, job listings, and polishing my pitch as work. And it feels a lot more real when I relocate to the library. The change in environment shifts my perspective—every moment there is a reminder that I’m on task. It’s like having an office, just without the paycheck (for now).
2. Cut off easy access to distractions.
I’ve never kept social media apps on my phone, and now I’ve gone further by hiding Safari altogether. I also block news sites, social platforms, and anything else designed to hijack my attention. If you’ve read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, you’ll know where this comes from. If not, I might dig into it more in another post.
Here’s how I’ve set it up on my iPhone:
- Removing Safari
Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps & Features > Turn Off Safari - Blocking Specific Sites
Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store, Media, Web & Games > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites
I can always lift restrictions when I consciously want to use those sites—but by default, they’re locked down. Remember, these apps are built to hook you. If you struggle with willpower, that’s not weakness—it’s design.
I’ve also added a Safari plugin called UnTrap, which lets me strip out YouTube’s endless temptations: comments, shorts, suggested videos, sidebars. Now I just search what I want, watch it, and leave.
3. Prep lunch in advance.
This one’s simple, but it works. I’ve always been “the guy who brings his lunch,” even when work catered daily. My go-to is a salad in a mason jar. These days, I’ll pack it and then take my break outdoors when I’m at the library. Downtown L.A. has plenty of great options—Maguire Gardens, business plazas tucked between skyscrapers, or even the Walt Disney Concert Hall gardens. With the area around the library improving, it’s become an enjoyable ritual instead of a hassle.
With these simple changes, I’ve been able to build a solid framework that keeps me focused and intentional throughout the day. I don’t stick to the clock down to the minute, but this is the general flow I follow:
My Daily Routine
- 5:00 a.m. — Wake up: Yoga or Strength Training
- 6:45 a.m. — Breakfast
- 7:30 a.m. — Meditate (20–45 minutes)
- 8:30 a.m. — Shower + get ready
- 9:00 a.m. — Coffee + journal
- 9:45 a.m. — Walk to library
- 10:00 a.m. — Research and/or apply to jobs
- 12:00 p.m. — Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. — Research and/or apply to jobs
- 4:00 p.m. — Begin prepping dinner
- 5:30 p.m. — Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. — Walk (~2 miles)
- 7:30 p.m. — Hang out
- 8:00 p.m. — Meditate
- 9:00 p.m. — Bedtime
Just by getting out of the house, I’ve been able to put more intention behind my focus and energy. Your setup may look different—a coffee shop, a park with Wi-Fi, or anywhere that shifts your headspace—but the principle is the same.
I hope these little adjustments spark ideas for your own routine. We don’t always need to grind harder, but we also don’t need to keep making excuses from the comfort of home. Sometimes the smallest changes are what keep us moving forward.
