Let me be honest with you—I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit chasing loot, grinding power levels, and diving deep into the lore of Destiny 2. It’s a universe that demands routine, almost like a daily ritual. And that’s exactly what got me thinking about how we structure our days, both in-game and in real life. Whether you're a Guardian mastering your craft or someone looking to bring more intentionality into your everyday, the idea of a "Jili routine"—a personalized, adaptable system for growth—can be transformative. But routines, like game expansions, aren’t created equal. Take, for instance, Destiny 2’s latest offering, The Edge of Fate. It’s far from the worst expansion we’ve seen—I’d rate it a solid 6.5 out of 10—but when you stack it up against the near-perfect execution of 2024’s The Final Shape, it just doesn’t hit the same highs. And that contrast holds a powerful lesson for anyone trying to build habits that last.
When The Final Shape launched earlier this year, it felt like Bungie had finally nailed it. Player engagement soared by roughly 40% in the first month alone, and the narrative payoff—tying together a decade of storytelling—was nothing short of breathtaking. That expansion didn’t just meet expectations; it redefined them. So, when The Edge of Fate followed, I expected another leap forward. Instead, what we got was… fine. Not terrible, but not groundbreaking. The new activities are fun for a week or two, and the gear is decent—I’ve probably run the new raid about 15 times—but there’s a lack of depth that leaves you wanting more. It’s the gaming equivalent of a daily routine that looks good on paper but lacks soul. You wake up, you check off tasks, but there’s no real momentum. That’s where the first secret of a Jili routine comes in: alignment with your core motivations. If your routine doesn’t connect to something meaningful, it’s just going through the motions.
Now, I’ll admit—I’ve fallen into that trap myself. There was a period last year where my daily schedule was packed with productivity hacks: 5 a.m. wake-ups, hour-long meditation, you name it. But I felt more drained than energized. It took stepping back to realize that I was treating my life like a checklist, not a journey. The same thing happens in Destiny 2 when content feels repetitive. The Edge of Fate, for example, recycles mechanics from older seasons, and while it’s polished, it doesn’t innovate. That’s why the second secret is flexibility. A rigid routine breaks under pressure; a fluid one adapts. I’ve learned to build buffers into my day—maybe 20 minutes for unplanned creativity or just to breathe. It’s made all the difference.
Another thing The Edge of Fate gets right, in my opinion, is its accessibility. New players can jump in without feeling completely lost, and the learning curve isn’t as steep as some previous expansions. That’s crucial because if a routine isn’t accessible, you won’t stick with it. I’ve seen friends burn out trying to emulate some idealized version of productivity they saw online. But a Jili routine meets you where you are. Maybe you start with five minutes of journaling instead of an hour, or you focus on one small win per day. For me, that looked like committing to just one Destiny 2 play session per day during a busy workweek—no more marathon grinding. It kept the experience fresh and prevented fatigue.
Of course, no system is perfect. The Edge of Fate has its flaws—the storytelling feels rushed in places, and the new vendor system could use more depth. But here’s the thing: even imperfect routines can teach us something. I used to abandon habits at the first sign of failure, but now I see slip-ups as data points. Did I skip my workout because I was tired, or because I’d scheduled it at the wrong time? Adjust and move on. That mindset shift—embracing iteration—is the third secret. It’s what separates a stagnant routine from an evolving one.
Let’s talk about rewards, because let’s be real—we’re all motivated by them. In Destiny 2, loot drives engagement. The Final Shape nailed this with exotic gear that felt worth the grind. The Edge of Fate? Well, the new weapons are okay, but only about 30% of them, in my estimate, are must-haves. In your daily life, rewards matter just as much. I’m not talking about big, flashy prizes, but small, consistent acknowledgments of progress. For me, it’s treating myself to an episode of my favorite show after hitting a writing goal, or taking a walk outside after completing a focused work session. These micro-rewards keep the momentum going, much like finding that perfect roll on a weapon keeps you running one more strike.
Community plays a huge role, too. Destiny 2 thrives because of its players—the LFG groups, the clan raids, the shared excitement over a world-first clear. The Edge of Fate’s launch day was buzzing with activity, even if the expansion itself wasn’t perfect. Similarly, a Jili routine doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I’ve found that sharing my goals with a friend or joining a challenge group adds accountability and joy. It turns solitary effort into shared progress. That’s the fourth secret: connection. We’re social creatures, after all.
Now, if there’s one area where The Edge of Fate truly shines, it’s in its visual design. The new environments are stunning—I’ve lost count of how many screenshots I’ve taken. And aesthetics matter in routines, too. I’ve made my workspace more inviting with plants and soft lighting, and it’s crazy how much that small change improved my focus. The fifth secret is environment. Your surroundings can either drain your energy or fuel it.
But let’s circle back to that idea of falling short. The Edge of Fate isn’t a bad expansion—it’s just not the masterpiece we hoped for. And that’s okay. Not every day will be your most productive, and not every habit will stick on the first try. The key is to learn, adjust, and keep moving. For me, that meant accepting that some days, my Jili routine is a well-oiled machine, and other days, it’s a messy draft. Both are part of the process.
So, what’s the takeaway? Building a Jili routine isn’t about perfection; it’s about progression. It’s taking the best parts of what works—whether in a game or in life—and refining them over time. The Edge of Fate may not be The Final Shape, but it still offers moments of joy and engagement. Similarly, your routine doesn’t need to be flawless to be effective. Start small, stay flexible, and remember that the goal isn’t to unlock every achievement at once, but to enjoy the journey itself. After all, the best routines—like the best games—are the ones that leave you excited to log in again tomorrow.
