I like my smart light system for this. It’s all local too. The bulbs are connected by Zigbee, not WiFi. It’s a different kind of radio system specifically for this. That’s controlled by the Home Assistant software on my server. I wouldn’t ever recommend those typical WiFi bulbs that you don’t really control.

I put little Zigbee buttons on each nightstand. One press toggles the lamp there, double press toggles the overhead light. Long press turns off all the lights. Or I can use my phone. The lights automatically get dimmer and more yellow across the house as it gets later in the night. I can also use Home Assistant to control the fan by my bed.

Is it necessary? No. Is it nice to have? Absolutely.

i believe they’re still being made by the original company. hilariously for sale at the chia pets website, among other places

My current nightly routine:

Cat gets brushed on my bed. I leave the door open because I know he will leave soon after the brushing is over. I slowly get ready for bed, waiting for him to leave, which he does do sometimes. But, many times, he’ll lay on the bed watching me. Sighing, knowing what will happen, I get in bed, just settle down, and then he leaves. I prefer to have my bedroom door closed at night because my adult son can be a bit noisy some nights in his bedroom, so I have to get up and close the door. He throws a fit if I try to toss him out, and it’s a game of tossing him and slamming the door before he can bolt back in, which I don’t like to do.