My Stack

January 6, 2026 [New York City]

I’ve always been deeply driven by food and drink. I’m constantly trying to find the most optimal order everywhere I go.

Lately, my routine (or “stack”) in NYC has gotten genuinely incredible. Even though my apartment is small compared to what you can get outside the city, I’ve optimized almost every detail. At this point, the constraint is part of the appeal.

This is what’s been working.

daily carry

What I carry with me around the city is simple, but I never see anyone else with this exact combo.

• chapstick is obvious, most people have that.

• the second thing is a Thai herbal inhaler I purchased in Bangkok. It’s insanely effective for clearing congestion, resetting your breathing, and snapping you out of mental fog when you’re tired or overstimulated.

• the third (and newest) addition is Chinese White Flower oil. This is a strong blend of camphor, menthol, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint. I dab a little on my wrists and rub some on my temples. It reliably fixes headaches and helps me lock into deep focus.

These are the non-negotiables. Typically, I’ll also have a coconut water on me for hydration.

lighting

The easiest way to drastically improve your quality of life is to get rid of harsh fluorescent lighting.

I replaced every light in my apartment with incandescent red light bulbs. Bathroom, stove, bedroom, even my fridge light.

Stove light featuring Anthony Bourdain

I also have two chicken heat lamps set up on opposite sides of the room, so I never have to turn on lighting I don’t enjoy. Candles are also optimal both for vibes and to have on your desk.

Yeah, it sounds excessive. But that’s only until you live with it. Nights feel a lot calmer, my eyes can relax, and there’s a noticeable downshift in my nervous system. I’ll probably never go back.

desk setup

I didn’t plan on this when I moved in, but my desk is standing-only. I don’t even have a chair nearby when I’m working. It sounds annoying, but now it just feels normal. I use a standing cushion to take pressure off my feet, and I can work far longer than I expected.

The biggest upgrade was installing a whiteboard directly to the right of my desk. I can write on the wall with a satisfying whiteboard marker without moving or even turning my body. That single change has been absurdly good for productivity and clarity. I always have a dynamic to-do list next to me and can write down ideas instantly.

My desk setup right now. Note the glass bull (because I’m bullish) and the Bitcoin whitepaper

For caffeine, I drink yerba mate from Uruguay at my desk. It’s smoother than coffee, no jitters, and no sharp crash. I feel stimmed. I sip it slowly over a few hours, which pairs well with long standing work sessions. At this point, it’s as much about the ritual as the caffeine.

A loud and satisfying keyboard helps as well. I pair mine with an Apple Magic Trackpad and a gel wrist rest.

sleep (the most important one)

This is definitely the most important part, so pay attention.

Different things work for different people, but this routine has gotten so optimal for me that I feel deeply compelled to share it. My sleep is insane. If this helps even one person, it’s worth it.

First: no screens whatsoever before bed. Especially social media. Doomscrolling TikTok or Instagram Reels right up until sleep is one of the worst habits people my age (I’m 22) have normalized. It’s a direct hit to sleep quality. Instead, I read a physical book under red light.

Every single night, I make the exact same tea. I use loose-leaf to avoid the microplastics that leach into hot water from conventional tea bags. My current favorite sleep blend contains chamomile flowers, valerian root, and lavender.

My current tea blend.

Into the tea, I add:

• two scoops loose-leaf tea

• one spoonful glycine

• one spoonful linden honey from Slovenia

• one spoonful collagen peptides

My honey stack: linden, fir, and acacia.

I also take magnesium glycinate alongside it, then sip the tea while I read.

meditation (the final step)

Right before sleep, I always meditate in the bath. Well, occasionally I don’t. Like if I get back insanely late or I drank alcohol. But typically, this is non-negotiable.

Once I’ve completed everything on my to-do list for the day, I run a warm (but not super-hot) bath, light a candle next to it, and add five drops of lavender essential oil. I use the same meditation playlist every night and meditate for 30-45 minutes under red light.

This was my meditation setup when I was in Nashville for college. My NYC one is obviously worse, but it does the job.

This reliably brings my mind into an intense state of calm. It feels like closing every open mental loop before sleep. By the time I get into bed, my nervous system is already settled.

I can’t recommend this enough.

• faster sleep onset

• deeper sleep

• intense, vivid dreams

• fewer nighttime wakeups

• better focus the next day

Of course, my stack will change over time. That’s the point. For now, though, it’s working extremely well.

If you have any ideas for things I could improve or optimize further, I’d love to hear them.

I’ll do another write-up for food, which deserves its own stack.

Happy New Year and life is beautiful.

<3