8 Things To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
Sometimes I get into these moods where I feel restless, but I also don’t really want to go anywhere or do anything particularly productive. I think there is a lot of pressure to constantly optimize your time or make every evening “count”. In reality, some of my favorite nights are the quiet ones where I barely leave my apartment and do something small that is just for me.
Over time, I have built up a list of little activities that help me slow down when I feel mentally scattered or unsure of what to do with myself. They are all pretty simple, but they give me something peaceful to focus on for a couple of hours, which is exactly what I need.
Here are a few of my favorites.
1. Going on a walk
This is usually my first instinct when I feel stuck or restless. In my case, it means taking Olive for a walk after work or in the evening once things cool down a bit outside.
I like picking a route I have not taken in a while or giving myself a destination like a park, coffee shop, or monument. There is something particularly calming about moving your body without trying to “work out.” You are not trying to hit a fitness goal. You are just outside for a little while.
Olive appreciates the exercise, and I know I could use it too. By the time we get back home, both of us are usually ready to wind down for the night.
2. Taking a bubble bath
This is one of my favorite ways to reset after a long day. Especially on a random weeknight when I don’t know what else to do with myself.
I like turning it into a whole little setup. A yummy candle. A kombucha. Sometimes flowers if I have them. A sunset lamp or one of the galaxy projectors. If I am feeling particularly fancy, I will throw on a face mask or use a bath bomb too.
I think part of why I love baths so much is that they force you to slow down. You can’t really multitask, which is exactly what I need.
3. Baking something
Baking is an activity that takes up your whole evening in the best way. There is prep, measuring, mixing, baking, cooling. It gives you something to focus on step by step.
One of my favorite things to make lately has been my Brown Butter Banana Bread Blondies. I usually throw on a comfort show in the background while I bake, then sit on the couch and watch another episode while everything finishes in the oven.
At the end of it, the apartment smells incredible, I have something sweet to snack on for the week, and I can share some with friends or family too.
4. Making a fun coffee drink
This is one of my favorite slow weekend activities. Especially on mornings where I don’t have plans but want to start the day off a little special.
This is how I ended up making my Maple Brown Sugar Shaken Iced Coffee recipe. I started experimenting with syrups and different milks at home and realized making coffee can be its own little hobby.
Bonus points if you have an outdoor space to enjoy it in. Sitting outside with a coffee and nowhere to be for a couple of hours is one of my favorite feelings.
5. Trying a mocktail recipe
I have really gotten into mocktails lately, especially in the summer. Not the kind you crack open from a can, but the kind where you make it like a real cocktail with garnishes, fun ice cubes, a Tajín rim, fresh fruit, or herbs.
Mocktails are fun because there are endless combinations to try. I have a running list of different ones I want to make this summer, and half the fun is figuring out which one to try next.
6. Enjoy a coloring book
I know this one sounds kind of silly, but I love coloring books. They are one of the most mindless and peaceful activities I have found.
Usually I color while watching a movie or listening to music. Sometimes classical music if I really want to zone out for a while. Add a candle into the mix and suddenly the entire evening becomes super relaxing.
I think what I like most about coloring is that there is no pressure attached to it. You are not trying to be good at it. You are not creating content from it. You are just coloring.
7. Organizing my week
This one is definitely a little nerdy, but organizing always makes me feel more grounded.
I have a physical planner that I love writing in. I map out my meetings, tasks, appointments, and anything important I need to remember for the week. I even have little stickers I decorate it with.
I know digital calendars are more efficient, but there is something about physically writing things down that makes my brain slow down a bit. It helps me stop feeling like everything is floating around in my head.
By the end of it, I usually feel way calmer about the week ahead.
8. Ordering a fancy meal and having a solo dinner night
I recently ordered sushi from a place near my apartment, plated everything nicely at home, and ate dinner out on my balcony while watching a show on my iPad. The setup felt pretty luxurious.
I don't mind dining alone at restaurants, but there is something I love about creating that experience for yourself at home instead. No waiting for a table. No loud restaurant. No pressure to rush through the meal. You can fully relax and enjoy the evening at your own pace.
I think a lot of us feel pressure to always be doing something bigger, busier, or more social. But some of my favorite moments lately have been the quieter ones. The nights where I stay home, light a candle, pour a kombucha, organize my planner, or take Olive for a walk around the neighborhood.
These little routines give me a chance to slow down and enjoy my own company for a while. That is not something I was always very good at. I used to feel like I constantly needed plans, noise, or somewhere to be.
But there is something really peaceful about letting an evening be simple.
You don’t always need a big plan. Sometimes you just need a small activity that makes the night feel calm and comforting.
