Trying Emily Henry’s Writing Routine: A Productive Start to the Day
As a writer, I’m always curious about how other authors structure their days to stay productive. Recently, I decided to try the writing routine of Emily Henry, the bestselling author behind Beach Read and Happy Place. Her routine is simple but effective: start the day with breakfast, make yourself a latte, get straight to writing, and then tackle chores in between. I was intrigued by this straightforward approach, especially the idea of balancing creative work with practical tasks. So, I gave it a shot to see how it would impact my own productivity.
Starting the Day Right
Emily Henry emphasizes the importance of breakfast, which I often skip or rush through in my usual morning routine. Wanting to follow her method closely, I made it a point to sit down and have a real breakfast—something nourishing to kickstart the day. Instead of grabbing a quick snack, I prepared scrambled eggs and toast, and paired it with a glass of orange juice. Taking that time to sit down and enjoy a meal felt like a good reset before diving into my work. It gave me the energy and mental clarity I needed to focus.
An Iced Latte from the Café
After breakfast, I decided to head to a nearby café for an iced latte. Given that Los Angeles was fighting a heat wave, an iced drink felt like the perfect choice. There’s something about grabbing a refreshing latte from your favorite coffee spot that feels like a treat, especially when the heat is on. It was also a nice way to briefly step outside, clear my head, and bring a bit of energy into the morning routine. Once I had my frosty, delicious iced latte in hand, I felt ready to sit down and start writing. That little trip to the café gave me a sense of ritual, marking the transition from morning relaxation to work mode.
Getting to the Writing
Once breakfast and my latte were out of the way, it was time to get to work. Henry’s routine emphasizes starting the writing session early in the day, which I found refreshing. Often, I get caught up in emails or social media in the morning, and by the time I’m ready to write, it feels like half the day has already slipped away.
This time, I resisted those distractions and jumped straight into writing. My mind was fresh, and I had more energy than usual. I found myself working in longer stretches, producing more in a shorter amount of time. It felt great to start the day by being creative and getting words on the page before anything else could interfere.
Chores as Breaks
Emily Henry’s routine includes doing chores in between writing sessions, which I found to be an unexpected productivity booster. Instead of taking breaks to scroll through social media, I used short intervals to tackle small tasks around the house—folding laundry, doing the dishes, or tidying up the living room. These tasks were easy enough not to take me out of my creative flow but active enough to give my brain a mental break.
The chores helped me stay grounded and created natural stopping points during my writing. By the time I finished a round of chores, I was ready to return to my desk and dive back into writing with a fresh perspective. It also kept my day moving at a steady pace, making the whole process feel more balanced and structured.
Final Thoughts
Trying Emily Henry’s writing routine was a rewarding experience. The combination of a good breakfast, a comforting latte, focused writing time, and short chore breaks helped me find a rhythm that felt both productive and sustainable. It reminded me of the importance of starting the day with intention and structuring my time to balance creative work with practical tasks.
If you’re looking for a writing routine that is both simple and effective, I highly recommend giving Emily Henry’s method a try. It might just help you stay on track and make the most of your creative energy!