Some people see routine as a negative concept, since it feels like you don't make any progress at all, always doing the same things for many years. But being a software engineer, I see a routine simply as a piece of programming validated by many repetitions, and honed to perfection. Sometimes I use other's programming, but when it comes to doing things right, as a software test engineer I feel that need to verify a program does what it is supposed to do. And that might include letting WireShark loose on it in order to make sure it does not send data where it shouldn't go.
That also includes me as a person though: in order not to spill the beans, I don't talk shop when being in any social gathering, not even with my own family. They know which company I work for, but that is it. What happens at work stays at work, and even connecting with coworkers in social life is not something I do very often. The only link between work life and private life is the paycheck I bring home to make life better for my family! No use of work tools at home, as I have plenty of tools myself.