Still new at this so take what I say with that in mind.
My first batch of soap was some melt and pour with bennonite clay. Using that soap with a razor honed by a honemeister was my first real smooth shave, an AHA moment. Before that my technique suffered and my face burned a bit afterwards. That still happens with commercial soap. Now it's all good. After the Poraso, I add a bit of moisturizer with Vitamin E.
Then came the giggles I got when, after struggling with honing, I heard that ting from hairs popping off my leg using a blade I sharpened. That was satisfaction.
Now I have a piece of cowhide on it's way for a strop.
As for my routine, it's down to about 20 minutes from the time I'm out of the shower until everything is cleaned up and put away. Oil the face, set out the tools, prep the razor, lather, two passes, cold wash, alum, clean up tools, poraso, clean up razor and store, brush teeth and whatever, moisturizer, bam, out the door.