✒️Editor's Note : Consistency is a Design, Not a Superpower
"The team at Routinery must live perfectly planned lives every single day."This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear. Since we build a routine app, people assume we are masters of discipline. But to be honest? The answer is a resounding "No."
We oversleep, we skip our routines, and sometimes we spend the entire weekend glued to our beds. But there is one thing that sets us apart: We know that ‘starting over’ is far more important than ‘being perfect.’ Here is how the Routinery team handles failure and finds their own unique rhythm.
We needed a tool because we aren't perfect.
Routinery wasn't built for "superhumans with iron willpower." It was built for us—people who have big dreams but struggle to get moving, and who often find their best intentions ending in just three days.
Many people equate "routine" with "perfection"—doing the exact same thing at the exact same time like a machine. At Routinery, we define it differently. A routine isn’t a shackle of discipline; it’s a "safety net" that keeps you from losing yourself. Here are two members of our team who use this safety net better than anyone: Darran (People Manager) and Dina (Growth Marketer).
Darran: "Don't say you failed; just tear the page."
Darran, our People Manager, makes a candid confession: "I use Routinery, but I’ve never actually maintained a routine for more than 30 days."
Some might call that a lack of persistence, but Darran calls it "flexibility." He knows himself well—he craves new stimuli and hates repetitive boredom. So, he uses a "Tear-off Diary" strategy.
- Setting Expiration Dates: He never thinks, "I’ll do this forever." Instead, he sets short-term goals like "just for 2 weeks." Once finished, he deletes or resets the routine like clearing a game stage.
- Witty Naming: His workout routine is named "Don't Forget the $300." Instead of a grand goal, he uses the "pain" of the gym membership fee as a trigger. Every time the alarm goes off, it’s not guilt he feels, but a clear reminder of why he started.
💡 Routinery's Insight
Elastic HabitsHabit experts warn against 'All or Nothing' thinking. A routine should be a "switch" you can flip back on at any time, not a heavy burden of homework.
Dina: Shielding 'Weakness' with 'Systems'
Dina, our Growth Marketer, has struggled with ADHD-like tendencies since she was young—specifically, a wandering mind and difficulty waking up. Instead of forcing herself to be a "Morning Person," she designed a routine to protect her.
- Control the Eve, Not the Morn: If the morning is chaotic, control the night before. Dina focuses on a "Night Routine" that limits smartphone use and optimizes her sleep environment to reduce friction the next morning.
- The Commute Identity: Dina has one non-negotiable rule: "Read during the commute." In the rush of work, it’s easy for "Dina the person" to disappear, leaving only "Dina the employee." She reads to keep her curiosity and sense of self alive.
💡 Routinery's Insight
Keystone HabitsYou don't have to do everything well. As Charles Duhigg notes, if one "Keystone Habit" holds firm, the rest of your day will naturally align like dominoes.
Routines: A Tool to Live as 'Your Most Authentic Self'
We don't build this app to make you a robot. We want you to let go of guilt and navigate life at your own pace.
- Like Darran, it’s okay to start "Day 1" a hundred times to reach 300 days.
- Like Dina, it’s okay to build routines that protect your identity when the world gets loud.
The Routinery team obsesses over these questions every day:
- How can we help users start again without fear of failure?
- How can this app be a supportive pacemaker rather than a shackle?
We are looking for colleagues to help us find these answers. You don’t have to be perfect. If you know your weaknesses and want to build a better tomorrow through systems and design, we want to hear from you.