About Routine Without Apps
We're lifestyle writers and observers who believe the best productivity system is the one you'll actually use—and sometimes that means leaving your phone in another room.
Our Story
Routine Without Apps started in 2021 when our founder, Eleanor Mitchell, threw her phone across her London flat in frustration. She'd just spent 20 minutes "optimizing" her morning routine app instead of actually doing her morning routine.
The absurdity hit her: technology meant to save time was stealing it. Apps designed to reduce cognitive load were adding to it. The solution? A £2 notebook from the corner shop.
That simple switch changed everything. Within a month, Eleanor had built the most consistent routine of her life. She shared her method with friends. They shared it with their friends. What started as one person's rebellion against digital overwhelm became a movement.
Today, we're a team of writers, designers, and lifestyle observers based in London, all committed to proving that sometimes the old ways work better than the new ones.
Our Team
Eleanor Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer
Former tech journalist who found clarity in disconnection. Eleanor writes about sustainable living and intentional design from her notebook-filled home office.
James Okoye
Habit Researcher
Behavioral psychologist fascinated by the gap between digital promises and analog results. James studies why physical methods create stronger neural pathways.
Mei Lin Chen
Visual Designer
Minimalist designer who believes beauty supports function. Mei creates the visual systems and templates that make analog routines aesthetically satisfying.
Thomas Andersson
Community Observer
Our connection to the people using these methods daily. Thomas collects stories, identifies patterns, and helps us understand what actually works in real life.
What We Believe
Simplicity Over Features
The best system isn't the one with the most options—it's the one you'll use tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that.
Analog First, Digital When Necessary
We're not anti-technology. We're pro-intentionality. Use digital tools when they genuinely serve you, not because they exist.
Privacy by Design
Your habits, goals, and daily rhythms are personal. They belong in your notebook, not in a database being analyzed for profit.
Consistency Beats Perfection
A simple routine done daily outperforms a perfect system done occasionally. We design for sustainability, not Instagram.
Evidence-Based Minimalism
We draw on psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral research—not because it's trendy, but because it works.
Real Life, Real People
Our methods are tested by busy parents, stressed students, and overwhelmed professionals—not just productivity influencers with unlimited time.