Ryan Holiday’s Daily Routine

• Natural Rise: Ryan wakes up between 6 to 7 am, steering clear of the alarm clock. This approach aligns with his philosophy of listening to his body's needs.

• Restful Mindset: By avoiding an alarm, Ryan ensures his day starts smoothly, fostering a state of calmness that he carries through his tasks.
• Body’s Choice: He emphasizes the importance of allowing the body to naturally choose its wake-up time, ensuring he’s well-rested and ready for the day ahead.

• Delayed Phone Use: Ryan waits at least one hour after waking up before he uses his phone. This period allows him to start his day on his terms.
• Avoids Becoming an Agenda Item: By not checking his phone, Ryan ensures he doesn't become an item on someone else's to-do list from the get-go.
• Controls the Day's Start: He believes in not letting an email or a social media notification dictate the tone of his day and this is why he starts his day with a digital detox.
• Peaceful Mornings: With his no-email morning strategy, Ryan enjoys a morning free of random alerts or the potential stress that comes from diving into digital communications.

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• Engaging Exercise: Every morning, Ryan straps on a weight vest and embarks on a 3-mile walk. This not only serves as physical workout but also as a moment of mental preparation for the day ahead.
• Family Inclusion: His children are a part of this ritual, accompanying him in a stroller. This shared experience builds connections and creates lasting memories.
• A Journey to the Mailbox: The walk includes a practical errand—going 1.5 miles out to the mailbox and back. This adds a sense of purpose to their journey.
• Communing with Nature: Watching the sunrise, observing animals, and picking up trash along the way, Ryan and his children engage actively with their surroundings, reinforcing a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
• Creating Joyful Moments: Singing songs as they walk, they not only enjoy the beauty around them but also cultivate a positive and joyful mindset.

• Boosts Mental Health: Starting the day with a walk can improve your mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Enhances Creativity: An early morning walk can clear your mind and spark creativity. It can also help you think more clearly and come up with new ideas.
• Increases Physical Activity: Walking in the morning is a great way to increase your daily physical activity. It can help build stamina, burn calories, and strengthen the heart.
• Improves Sleep Quality: Regular morning walks can help regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to better sleep quality at night.
• Encourages Healthy Habits: A morning walk can set a positive tone for the rest of the day, encouraging other healthy habits like eating well and staying active.

• Shower: After returning from his walk, Ryan takes a shower, which helps him stay fresh and kickstart his day positively.
• Lighting for Productivity: Ryan also uses a Philips Hue light, which sets the right mood and energy for the day. The light can be adjusted to mimic natural daylight, helping to keep Ryan alert and focused.
• Morning Freshness: The combination of a refreshing shower and the specific lighting in his office helps Ryan stay fresh and energized.

• Clears the Mind: The peaceful headspace achieved from his morning walk and shower allows Ryan to approach his journal with a clear mind.
• Self-Conversation: His journaling is deeply personal, serving as a conversation with himself. This practice helps him to sift through his thoughts, emotions, and responses to the events of his life.
• Self-Review for Growth: By documenting his experiences and reflections, Ryan engages in a form of self-review. This not only aids in self-awareness but also encourages personal growth by identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
• Enhances Self-Awareness: As part of his writing habits, journal writing for Ryan is a tool for enhancing self-awareness. It's a dedicated time to check in with himself and acknowledge feelings and thoughts.

• Early Start at the Office: Ryan begins his workday early, capitalizing on the quiet morning hours before distractions can arise.
• Focus on Deep Work: The first activity of his day is engaging in deep work and he dedicates 2-3 hours to this type of work, typically involving writing or other high-concentration tasks.
• Productive Mornings: He finds the early part of the day to be his most productive period. This time is reserved for writing, where he can immerse himself without interruption.
• Impressive Output: This disciplined approach to deep work has allowed Ryan to write 10 books in 10 years, showcasing his productivity and commitment to his craft.
• Wrapping Up Early: By starting his workday early and focusing intensely on deep work, Ryan often completes his most important tasks by 10-11 am, allowing him the flexibility to manage other aspects of his work with the rest of his day.

• Intermittent Fasting: Ryan follows an intermittent fasting schedule, eating only between 10 am and 5 pm. This method helps him stay focused on his work in the morning without the distraction of food.
• Focused Meal Times: He doesn’t spend any time thinking about food outside his eating window, which simplifies his day and keeps his mind clear.
• Nutritious Choices: Ryan opts for a low-carb diet. His meals often consist of wholesome foods like eggs, bacon, and avocado, providing him with the nutrition needed for his day.
• Hydration with a Twist: Ryan prefers Topo Chico, a Mexican sparkling mineral water. This choice keeps him hydrated and satisfies his need for something refreshing without relying on sugary drinks.
• Combining Meals with Learning: While eating, especially during his early lunch, Ryan seizes the opportunity to read books and make notes. This practice not only nourishes his body but also his mind, turning mealtime into an educational journey.

• Improves Metabolic Health: Intermittent fasting can decrease blood sugar levels, which helps in reducing health issues like type 2 diabetes.
• Promotes Heart Health: Intermittent fasting may reduce risk factors related to heart disease.
• Improves Physical Performance: With weight loss and improved metabolic health, intermittent fasting can lead to better physical performance.
• Improves Eating Patterns: It can help regulate eating patterns, making it easier to follow a healthier diet and avoid overeating.

• Post-Lunch Productivity: After enjoying an early lunch and a session of reading, Ryan moves to the more interactive segment of his day, starting with clearing his inbox and responding to emails.
• Time for Meetings: The afternoon is when Ryan schedules his meetings. This could involve team discussions, client calls, or planning sessions for upcoming projects.
• Handling Calls: Alongside meetings, this time is also reserved for answering important phone calls, further facilitating direct communication with his team, clients, and partners.
• Administrative Tasks: The latter part of the day is when Ryan tackles administrative duties. This includes planning, strategizing, and other tasks that require his attention.

• Dedicated Time for Videos: Post writing and administrative tasks, Ryan allocates specific time to record videos for his YouTube channel, Daily Stoic. This ensures that he consistently produces new content without disrupting his core work.
• Balanced Schedule: By organizing his content creation later in the day, Ryan ensures that it complements rather than competes with his writing and administrative duties.
• Creative Output: The content he creates isn’t just limited to videos. Ryan explores various formats to engage his audience, from blog posts and social media updates to podcasts, reflecting his versatility as a content creator.
• Stoicism in Action: Through his Daily Stoic channel and other content, Ryan applies principles of Stoicism to modern-day challenges, offering his audience not just philosophical insights but practical advice on living better lives.

Content generation for Ryan Holiday is an extension of his work as a writer and philosopher. By thoughtfully scheduling this aspect of his routine, he ensures that his message of practical philosophy reaches as wide an audience as possible without compromising the quality of his work or his personal well-being.

• Quality Time in the Pool: Upon returning home, one of Ryan's priorities is to spend quality time with his kids. The swimming pool becomes a space of joy and relaxation, allowing them to bond and create memories together.
• Family Bonding: This time is invaluable for strengthening family connections, showing his kids the importance of balance between work and personal life.

“The time I spend with my kids, the crazy stuff we do, and the things I do to make them laugh, this is the stuff that makes life worth living. This is the fun stuff and there’s nothing better than that. Like I could probably make more money if I worked longer. I could write more books if I stayed at the office longer but what am I doing this for if not for them? And if I don’t have time to spend with my loved ones, I don’t see my day or my life as a success.”
Ryan Holiday

• A Daily Tradition: Ryan makes it a point to never miss dinner with his family, highlighting the importance he places on this daily gathering.
• Quality Family Time: These meals serve as a dedicated time for connection, conversation, and sharing the day's experiences, reinforcing family bonds.
• Setting a Positive Example: By prioritizing family dinners, Ryan sets a positive example of work-life balance for his children, showing that no matter how busy life gets, there’s always time for family.

• Family Bonding Time: The walk is a collective activity that allows Ryan and his family to spend quality time together, away from screens and the distractions of daily life.
• Appreciation for Surroundings: Strolling around their property, the family takes the time to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings.
• Cultivating Gratitude: This quiet time allows for reflection on the day's events and the things they are grateful for, enhancing their overall sense of well-being and contentment.
• A Gentle Close to the Day: The post-dinner walk serves as a gentle transition from the energy of the day to the calm of the evening, preparing them for a restful night.

• Feeding the Cows: One of Ryan's tasks involves nourishing the farm's cows, ensuring they are well-fed and healthy.
• Caring for Donkeys: He also takes time to check on the donkeys, providing them with hay and making sure they are comfortable.
• Enjoying the Sounds and Sights: Ryan finds joy in the natural sounds around him, such as the cows calling out. The sight of the sun setting over his farm brings a deep sense of contentment.
• Connecting with Nature: These chores allow Ryan to connect with nature and the animals he cares for, offering a break from the digital world.

“It’s extra work to live on a farm and it’s not easy but it’s good work. Connecting with the land and being outside doing something like manual labor is really important.”
Ryan Holiday

• Reading Together: The family gathers to read poetry or books, an activity that not only entertains but also educates and inspires.
• Evening Snack: Before the bedtime routine fully kicks in, they enjoy a light snack together, providing a moment of casual family interaction.
• Bath Time: Bath time is more than just about cleanliness, it's a time for playful splashes and winding down, signaling to the children that bedtime is near.
• Tucking In: Ryan takes special care to ensure his children are comfortably tucked into bed. He never rushes these moments, recognizing the importance of this time for his children's sense of security and well-being.
• Ensuring Comfort: Making sure the kids are comfortable before they drift off to sleep is a top priority. This might involve adjusting blankets, a bedtime story, or a soothing talk about the day.

This bedtime routine reflects Ryan Holiday's commitment to being present and engaged in his children's lives, recognizing the significance of these quiet moments in building a loving family environment.

• Variety of Exercises: Ryan incorporates a variety of physical exercises into his routine, including an extensive workout schedule at the gym, swimming sessions, and cycling. This diversity helps keep his fitness routine fresh and engaging.
• Stoic Hard Winter Training: Inspired by Stoic philosophy, Ryan embraces the concept of Hard Winter Training. This practice is about preparing oneself for the challenges life throws our way, not just physically but mentally as well.
• Recovery: Understanding the importance of recovery in any fitness regime, Ryan opts for Glutamine supplements. These supplements aid in muscle recovery, allowing him to maintain a consistent and rigorous workout schedule without undue strain on his body. If you need excellentGlutamine supplements for your workout recovery, consider buying one from Momentous.

“If you haven’t built endurance in your life, how do you put up with problems like a pandemic that drags on for months and months? The secret for me is that I get all my best ideas about my writing when I am running. After a run, I come back and I scribble a bunch of notes that I’ll use the next day for my writing.”
Ryan Holiday

• Watching TV Together: One of their preferred ways to relax is by watching TV. This shared activity allows them to unwind side by side, enjoying each other's company.
• Engaging Conversations: Beyond just watching TV, Ryan and his wife value deep, meaningful conversations. This time is an opportunity to connect on a more personal level, discussing thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
• Household Chores: Doing household chores together might seem mundane, but for Ryan and his wife, it's another opportunity to spend time together. With the kids asleep, they tackle these tasks not just as duties but as moments to connect.

• Reading Before Bed: Ryan indulges in a bit of reading before lights out. An original copy of works by Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher, is on his bedside table, providing thought-provoking material that aligns with his philosophical inclinations.
• Minimizing Distractions: Understanding the importance of minimizing distractions before sleep, Ryan makes a conscious decision to keep his phone out of the bedroom.

By incorporating Stoic readings and minimizing distractions, Ryan not only pays homage to his philosophical practices but also enhances his quality of sleep. His daily routine serves as a reminder of the importance of disconnecting and creating a peaceful environment to support physical and mental health.