How the “5 to 9” TikTok Trend is Making Us More Productive

When you work a “9 to 5,” sometimes it feels hard to do anything outside of work. Channeling your inner girlboss takes lots of energy! But there’s a new “TikTok made me do it” trend on your fyp to help you bring that productive mindset to your personal life too.

@morganflitt My 5-9 after my 9-5 👩🏻‍💻 #nightroutine #afterworkroutine #wfh ♬ original sound – Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Movie

They cleverly call it the “5 to 9” routine 

The “5 to 9” trend highlights what people do during the margin of time either before or after the average work day.

With over 46 million views on TikTok as I write this, #5to9 is an opportunity for content creators to show how they practice self care between the hours of 5 to 9 AM and 5 to 9 PM. Remember this is TikTok, so most of the videos are also ✨aesthetic✨ to motivate their followers to do the same. 

Full of skincare routines, wholesome recipes, and lots of workouts, the “5 to 9” routine videos bring a stylish and energetic approach to the average week day. Not only is this trend a fun way to get fitness motivation, but it may be one of the most impactful trends on TikTok when it comes to promoting mental and physical health.

Swap mindless habits for productivity

It’s easy to fall into a pattern of mindlessly scrolling through social media after a long day of work. For most of us, it’s just the easiest way to decompress. Grab your phone, turn your mind off. But what if having focused time dedicated to self-care took the place of scrolling? Zoning out with a screen might feel like what you need right now, but maybe you’d feel even better doing something that engages both your body and your brain.

The “5 to 9” videos aren’t all hustle. They actually showcase a variety of ways that users de-stress, whether it’s cleaning their homes, hitting the gym, grabbing a coffee, or even watching a show that brings them joy. 

Whatever their particular routine, self-care is the common factor within each of these videos. And with an increase in people experiencing burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns in recent years, daily self-care is more important now than ever.

@elenacecilllia I love my cozy little evenings where I’m in bed by 9 #5to9 #minivlogs #wednesdayvlog #afterworkroutine #eveningroutine #wfhroutine #afterworking #nightroutinevibes #nightroutineaesthetic #workfromhomeroutine #wfhvibes #wfhcheck #workfromhomelifestyle #eveningvlog #apartmentaesthetic ♬ CHARLI USED MY SOUND OMG – alyssa

Everyone has a unique 5 to 9 

As opposed to other health and fitness trends on the platform, the “5 to 9” routine emphasizes individuality and personalization to fit your own personal needs. 

I’ve seen some backlash on the trend, claiming that it’s just another form of hustle culture. But from my POV, that’s not the case. Some perfectly curated routines appear that way – working out at 5am and cooking a restaurant-quality breakfast every day isn’t realistic for all of us, no matter how nice it looks.

But if you keep scrolling, content creators don’t present one particular routine as ideal. Instead, they show a wide variety of routines as inspiration that can be applied to their audience’s lives. Some for the go-getters out there, and others for those of us who find it hard enough to simply take a sec for ourselves.

Scrolling through 5 to 9 videos was a good reminder for me that every day is different and therefore you shouldn’t feel pressured to maintain the same routine day after day. It celebrates that each individual person has their own unique style and needs when it comes to their health and fitness journey. 

While TikTok users posting these videos provide some amazing inspiration, real life 5 to 9s aren’t usually quite as aesthetic as the videos show. Starting with small changes is a great way to begin transforming your routine into one that will help you be your best self. 

Here’s some 5 to 9 inspo to try

If you don’t know where to start, try incorporating some of the following ideas into your routine.

• Take a few minutes to do a full skincare routine 
• Listen to a podcast 
• Read a chapter of your favorite book 
• Center yourself with meditation (you can find some amazing guided meditations on YouTube)
• Start a gratitude journal 
• Create a peaceful atmosphere by organizing your home space 
• Find your strength with a workout that’s right for you 
• Up your fitness with a workout challenge
• Choose one day to meal prep healthy and delicious meals for the week

Most importantly, remember that your “5 to 9” may look different than someone else’s, and that’s okay! It’s simply a way to identify your own body’s wants and needs and act on them. Work-life balance can be tricky, but by motivating and inspiring each other, we can give ourselves love like never before. 

What are your favorite ways to spend your “5 to 9”? Comment them below and let’s inspire each other!