You didn’t survive your 9–5 to waste your 5–9 glued to the couch. You’re not lazy — just stuck in a routine that’s not serving you. Let’s change the vibe!
Let’s be honest — the after-work doom scroll is real, and we’ve all been there. One minute you’re “just checking your phone,” and suddenly it’s 10pm and you’re still glued to your screen — scrolling, zoning out, feeling meh.
But your 5–9 doesn’t have to disappear into the scroll. What if it felt more like a reset than a write-off? With a few intentional tweaks, your evenings can become something you actually look forward to — calm, rejuvenating, and aligned with the life you’re building.
Here’s how to reset your evening routine and reclaim those hours — without feeling like you’re adding another job on top of your job.
Step 1 – Romanticise the Reset
Trending now: romanticising your life — and it’s not just about matching mugs or aesthetic routines (though we love those too).
It’s about shifting your mindset from “Ugh, I’m exhausted” to “How can I make this enjoyable?”
So instead of crashing the second you walk in the door, try this:
- Light a candle
- Put on your favourite playlist or a chill podcast
- Change into something comfy — we’re talking matching loungewear or an oversized tee with soft joggers.
Create small habits to signal to your brain: the workday is over, now it’s your time.
Step 2 – Transform Your Evenings With This Easy Strategy
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to do everything every night. The pressure to meal prep, work out, plan your week, tackle personal projects, AND socialise after work? It’s a fast track to burnout.
Try something like:
Monday – Move & Meal Prep (quick Pilates + prep tomorrow’s lunch)
Tuesday – Hobbies & Relax (Read a few chapters of a book, listen to music or a podcast, catch up on a favourite show)
Wednesday – Wellness Wind Down (face mask, take a bath, gua sha, a chapter of your book)
Thursday – Refresh & Move (do a quick Pilates session, declutter your space, get ahead on emails)
Friday – Catch-Up & Recharge (catch up with friends, order takeout, and have a movie marathon)
This way, you can focus on different priorities each night, without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 3 – Move Your Body — All You Need is 15 Minutes
Here’s the thing: it’s not about pushing yourself to the max. The goal is to keep things light, fun, and engaging.
Think:
- A quick 15-minute Pilates session with your favourite instructor, like Bailey Brown or Move With Nicole.
- A chill walk while listening to your favourite playlist or podcast
- Stretching on the floor in front of your go-to show — yep, that totally counts!
It doesn’t have to be an intense workout to be effective. The key is to relax, recharge your body, and enjoy that post-movement high — guilt-free after sitting all day.
Step 4 – Fuel Your Side Hustle — Low-Stress, High Reward
No pressure here — but if you’ve got a dream you’ve been quietly putting off, your 5–9 is where it can grow.
- Start that blog
- Launch an Etsy shop
- Sell digital products (printables, templates, etc.)
- Explore affiliate marketing (e.g., Amazon Associates)
Just 30 minutes a few nights a week can really add up. It’s not about doing it all — it’s about starting and chipping away at it little by little.
Step 5: Do Nothing… On Purpose
Some nights, you’ll need to fully unplug. And that’s okay.
Intentional rest is still productive.
Scroll if you want to, but do it without guilt. Or better yet — if you’re feeling a bit zoned out, try swapping it for some cozy downtime instead. Do something slow-paced to help you unwind and actually recharge.
Think:
- curling up with a book
- a bath with a podcast
- do some skincare
Remember: you don’t need to earn your rest. You’re allowed to chill just because.
Mini Habits, Major Vibes
Stuck in a slump? Need a change of pace? Start small. Here are 5 quick ideas that will make a difference.
- Swap your phone for a book for 20 minutes
- do a “brain dump” before bed
- Prep your outfit and to-do list for the next day
- Do a “5-minute tidy” to reset your space
- Treat yourself to a mini skincare routine (maybe even a face mask)
These mini habits will bring some much-needed structure and calm to your evenings.
What’s Trending – The Evening Routines You Need to Try
Let’s talk about trends that are actually worth trying:
Lymphatic drainage at home — people are swapping doom scrolling for dry for gua sha and jade rollers (hello, wellness glow-up)
Digital decluttering — clearing out your camera roll or inbox is low-key satisfying.
No-screen nights — one evening a week where you ditch the screens and light a candle instead
You’re not behind. You’re not lazy. You’re just figuring it out — and that’s more than okay. Your evenings don’t need to be perfect. They just need to feel right to you. Because you didn’t survive your 9–5 just to feel stuck in your 5–9. So tonight, instead of defaulting to the couch and the scroll… try one little shift. Turn your routine into something you love, find something that excites you or just give yourself permission to rest — on purpose.
Let’s change the vibe — and make these hours yours.
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