Counting Sheep is Far too Simple

Mocktails, magnesium, and mouth tape… let’s get ready for bed.

Routine is something we, as a society, absolutely thrive on. I swear, I can’t scroll for more than a minute without running into someone’s perfectly curated morning or evening ritual. From Hatch alarms to perfectly brewed Nespressos, the everything shower, and a sleepy-time mocktail. We’re all in our routine era.

As someone who proudly wears the crown of Type A friend, you better believe I live by my iCal. I love a structured start and a wind-down to my day. Honestly, I like to think my routine is the reason I get anything done. And when I half-ass it? Oh, I feel it the next day.

So what does my nightly routine actually look like? Let me walk you through my 5-9 after my 9-5.

01: Disconnect & DND (4PM)

After signing off from work, it’s me time. I do something physical and grounding to disconnect: usually a walk, or sitting on the patio surrounded by my little garden (hydrangeas, jalapeños, lettuce and all). Sometimes I’ll read or I’ll be writing for Candidly Samantha, other days I’ll just tidy up the apartment to reset the energy.

02: Dinner Wind-Down (6PM)

Once I’ve decompressed from the work day, it’s time to cook dinner for me and D. As much as I desire to be Martha Stewart making divine luxury meals on weekdays, let’s be honest…most are our rotation meals, and super simple. Despite my gorgeously set up table scape, we eat together in the living room. Usually watching something like Naked & Afraid or The Traitors US. Sometimes we’ll be adventurous when our attention span craves something longer and venture to a thriller on Netflix (we gave Trap a 3.8/5), or pass the phone back and forth laughing at TikToks.

03: The Kitchen Closeout (8PM)

After dinner, D usually hops in the shower while I go into "closing shift" mode: clearing dishes, wiping down the counters, putting food away, running the dishwasher, and tossing laundry into the dryer. I do a quick tidy of the apartment to make sure everything is back in its place. Cue, “Alexa, turn off the living room!”

04: Wind-Down Ritual Begins (8:30PM)

Skincare is non-negotiable. Once that’s done, it’s time to "take this party to the bedroom.” I throw on a fresh set of pajamas, a true kryptonite, and start curating the cozy: candles lit, star light on, and ambient dimmed lighting. At this point, I say to myself I’m going to grab any last things before planting for the night. Most nights, neglecting to fill my water for the night, and as my body hits the bed, turning to my husband asking him to now get up to fill the cup I didn’t.

05: Cozy Closeout (9PM)

We’ll usually keep the show running in bed while Dakota does word searches or scrolls TikTok, and I do my own thing: checking daily Oura stats, clearing notifications, and then putting my phone on DND. After that, it’s time for pure wind-down: reading, Murdles, or curling up with my iPad.

Essential Sleep Accessories

My sleep situation is honestly a production. The nighttime lineup includes: nod pod (eyes and body), a heated blanket, mouth tape, Breathe Right strip, castor oil in my belly button, magnesium supplements, magnesium oil for my feet, and a fully filled humidifier. The final touch? White noise. Always.

Now, when you ask me does it actually work…what I can say, is my Oura stats always thank me the morning after everything above is checked off.

And just like that, I’m out. Have a slumber sleep, my girlies!

xo, SRM