That title’s not a typo. The 5-to-9 is the time period before and after the 9-to-5 workday. Social media influencers have racked up millions of views showing off their outside-of-work schedules—#5to9routine has more than 35 million views on TikTok. During these videos, quick cuts of clips show off aspirational mornings and evenings packed with journaling, working out, meditating, cleaning, side hustling, and more. The trend’s an offshoot of the “5am club,” which counts Mark Zuckerberg and Michelle Obama as early-rising members.
The strict routines are a way of packing productivity into personal time. The main goal is to spend less time rewatching reruns of Downton Abbey and more time meal-prepping. Here are some tips to get the most out of this trend:
- The structure of the routine is a key part of making it work, well-being coach Adrienne Adhami told Vogue, in order to clearly separate work and personal time. Starting with a clear transition, like showering or changing clothes, can help, as can using lotions or candles with specific scents during discrete phases of your day.
- A third space can also set 5-to-9 time apart from the rest of the day. That means going somewhere that’s not home or work—a gym, coffee shop, or anywhere other than the couch or the desk.
But above all, don’t overdo it. Experts emphasize that sleep is important, and not all time should be structured. Critics of the 5-to-9 trend say adhering too strictly to a before- or after-work routine, and not having free leisure time, can lead to burnout.—JW
This report was originally published by Morning Brew.
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