It’s a Tuesday, and you’ve just finished your 9-to-5 job and are about to shut down your laptop or leave the office for the day. As you log out of your browser or say goodbye to your work bestie, you think about how you’re going to spend the rest of your night before getting up in the morning and doing it all over again. You have some laundry to fold, but you’re exhausted and might just make some frozen chicken nuggets and go to bed. If you feel up for it, maybe you’ll call your mom, since you haven’t spoken to her in a few days. Adulting is so fun, right?
But then you remember seeing a creator on TikTok sharing their 5-to-9 routine after work, and a pang of shame rushes through you. While you may have plans to just fall asleep in bed while rewatching Stranger Things on your iPad, other creators are spending their night going on an extravagant date with their S.O., seeing the new NOPE movie out in theaters, or hitting the town for drinks at happy hour. And while you do that some nights, other nights you just want to unwind and decompress after a long day. Alone.
Alike to the “That Girl” aesthetic that has dominated TikTok, users are now sharing their daily 5-to-9 routine that follows their 9-to-5 job — but how realistic are these routines, anyway? And how can you find the right 5-to-9 routine that works best for you?
While well-intentioned, the TikTok 5-to-9 routine tends to glamorize hyperproductivity.
Similar to the “finding yourself” in your 20s TikTok trend that sets unrealistic expectations, some TikTok videos showing young people’s 5-to-9 nighttime routines after their full-time jobs can be overwhelming — and frankly, not attainable for everyone.
Creator @matthew.campos has posted several videos to his TikTok page showcasing his 5-to-9 routine after work — but while his routine looks immaculate, it also isn’t entirely realistic. His luxurious apartment is spotless, and he cooks himself a gourmet pasta dinner along with a glass of white wine. Similarly, user @theorganizedaddict makes herself a full meal, does several loads of laundry, and even has time and energy to do some prep for the next morning as she fills up her coffee machine with freshly ground beans.
Granted, some nights after your 9-to-5 job may look like these — but sometimes, they may not. Rylie, 22, shares with Her Campus, “I wish I could say I was as put together as the people I follow on TikTok that have super well-established 5-to-9 routines, but whatever I end up doing after work is usually super spontaneous!”
It’s okay if your 5-to-9 routine isn’t consistent.
Ultimately, having a work-life balance is so important, not just for your own wellbeing, but also for your relationships — and at its core, that is what the 5-to-9 routine TikTok trend is all about.
In terms of finding a 5-to-9 routine that works best for you, remember that not every single night has to be productive, fun, or crazy. Take things day by day, listen to your body and mind, and truly think about what you need for those final four hours of your day — whether that’s heading to your favorite pilates class, going out to dinner with your friends, or even just laying in bed alone at home. Make note of what makes you happy and gives you energy and what doesn’t.
Rylie is working remotely full-time, and her nighttime routine changes based on how she’s feeling that particular day. “Some days I hit an evening workout class, while other days I may try grabbing dinner with friends. And some nights I just hang out with my family or take time for myself to just relax and watch a show,” Rylie says.
“As soon as five o’clock rolls around, I make it a point to log off, close my laptop, and move away from my workstation for the rest of the night.”
For Julianna, 22 (who also works as an associate editor at Her Campus — hey, work bestie!), a huge aspect of her routine is actually unplugging for the night. “I start off by, like, actually closing my laptop. As soon as five o’clock rolls around, I make it a point to log off, close my laptop, and move away from my workstation for the rest of the night.”
Julianna also likes to find a balance between spending time with loved ones as well as taking time to herself. “I go for a run, go to my yoga class, or just get out and do something active,” Julianna shares. “Then, depending on the day, I cook a yummy dinner, go out to a restaurant with my boyfriend, or get drinks with my roomie and girlfriends (after showering, of course!). After that, I like to unwind by getting in my comfy clothes, listening to music, and reading a few chapters of a book. Or having spicy personal time. That’s kind of essential.”
For me, being an introvert, I make it a point to take the time I need to recharge by myself before seeing friends or spending time with family after work. While my 5-to-9 routine changes day-to-day, I normally try to get in a workout if I feel up for it, make myself dinner, take a shower and do my skincare routine (which is my ultimate form of self-care), and unwind with whatever television show I’m binge-watching (as of right now, it’s Ted Lasso). Some nights, I’ll grab dinner with my friends or do something fun, or I’ll be especially productive and deep clean my space — but not always.
Don’t beat yourself up if your 5-to-9 routine doesn’t look exactly like your TikTok FYP. Do what’s best for you and what fulfills you at the end of your work day (and know that it’s okay if that changes depending on the day!), whether that’s seeing friends, cleaning up your space, resting in bed, or otherwise. Because ultimately, the key to a work-life balance is just that: balance.