6 little ways to make your afternoons better.

At some point, my afternoons became a repetitive cycle of scrolling, eating, and sleeping. Whenever I tried to incorporate a cute, Pinterest-inspired structured routine, it just wouldn’t stick. So, I decided to try a different approach, and over the past few months, my 5-to-9 has become a highlight of my day—something I actually look forward to. It’s also a time where I surprisingly get a lot done, solve problems I didn’t think I could, and work on my goals without even trying too hard. In this post, I want to share some of the small changes I’ve made that have transformed my afternoons for the better. Stop seeing afternoons as something you have to plan, and start seeing them as time to play.

You’ve likely had moments where you told yourself, “I’m going to use my afternoons to the fullest—paint, crochet, start a business,” but when the time came, nothing happened. That’s where I went wrong with my afternoon routines—most people fill their days with too many ‘shoulds.’ “I should answer that email, I should work on that report.” You don’t spend enough time doing what you want to do in the moment, which is why loading your afternoons with tasks you feel obligated to do is counterproductive. Instead, I began treating my afternoons like I did as a kid, following the fun rather than pre-planning everything. This simple mindset shift has completely changed how I spend my afternoons.

One practice that has helped is the comfy chair exercise, which I’ve shared in a previous video on life-changing habits. I was inspired by a quote from Dr. Neil Fiore, author of The Now Habit: “One reason we procrastinate is the fear that once we start working, there will be no time for play, that work will deprive us of the enjoyment of life.” Guilt-free play has become a way to combat that fear, allowing me to dedicate time to leisure and creativity without guilt. This shift made me realize how much my afternoons were missing this element of play, and once I introduced it, everything changed.

I also created a “Favors for Future Me” page in Notion, which lists things I can do to benefit my future self. But rather than feeling pressure to complete them, I ask myself which of these tasks feels fun at the moment. This playful approach allows me to enjoy taking care of my future self, and I’ve naturally become more productive in my afternoons. Some of these playful activities even led me to new skills, like learning digital marketing strategies through Skillshare. Whether it’s up-leveling in my career or exploring hobbies, Skillshare has provided tools to fuel my curiosity and fun.

One challenge, though, was managing the temptation to scroll. My brain is wired for it, especially when I’m low energy in the afternoon. To combat this, I started asking myself, “Am I having fun?” After about 15 to 20 minutes of TikTok, I usually feel full—full of other people’s opinions, entertainment, and thoughts. I realized I didn’t need to keep mindlessly scrolling. I also use a phone lockbox to physically remove the temptation, locking my phone away for hours. These simple changes have made a huge difference in how I spend my afternoons.

Another area I struggled with was meal prep. I found myself procrastinating making meals and realized I needed to simplify this process. I began prepping ingredients in advance, like having pre-cooked rice and pasta in the fridge and easy sauces on hand. Low-effort meal collecting became part of my routine, and I rotate through a few simple recipes to avoid making food a big production. Lowering my standards for afternoon meals, or any other challenging activity, has been key.

Lastly, I’ve adopted a “thinking cut-off time.” A year ago, I was waking up at 3 a.m. regularly, my mind racing with unproductive thoughts. After reading Hell Sleep, I learned about the importance of curbing hyperarousal. Now, after 8 p.m., I avoid any stimulating activities and shift to relaxing shows or books. This has helped immensely with sleep, and when I do struggle to drift off, I use the ABC game I found on TikTok, which quiets my mind by focusing on simple categories like fruits or names.

In the evenings, I also avoid harsh lighting, opting for warm, orange lamps. It’s a simple change but makes a noticeable difference in winding down. If you’re feeling low energy and want to overhaul your afternoons, I have a video on boosting your energy throughout the day, which might help lay the groundwork for building a routine that works for you.

Implementing these small but significant changes has made my afternoons feel more fulfilling and less like a chore. The biggest shift for me was letting go of the notion that every afternoon needed to be meticulously planned or filled with “productive” tasks. Instead, embracing the idea of guilt-free play transformed how I approached my time. I stopped forcing myself to follow a strict routine and allowed my afternoons to be a blend of creativity, relaxation, and problem-solving—all without the pressure of having to achieve something specific.

I’ve also found that by lowering my standards for the more tedious tasks—like cooking or prepping for the next day—I’ve eliminated much of the resistance I used to feel. By prepping ingredients in advance and choosing simple, low-effort meals, I no longer spend my afternoons procrastinating over what to eat. This shift has freed up mental space for the things that genuinely bring me joy and satisfaction. It’s a small hack, but it’s made a world of difference in how I experience my afternoons.

And, of course, I can’t overstate the power of creating boundaries with technology. Locking away my phone for a few hours might seem extreme, but it has been a game-changer. Not only does it prevent mindless scrolling, but it also helps me stay present with whatever I’m doing—whether it’s working on a project, reading a book, or just enjoying a cup of tea. This simple act of removing distractions has allowed me to be more intentional with my time, and I find myself ending the day with a greater sense of accomplishment and peace.

Creating a thinking cut-off time was also crucial in improving my sleep and overall well-being. By setting boundaries around when I let my brain engage in more demanding tasks, I’ve been able to wind down more effectively and sleep better. It’s a discipline that has taken time to build, but one that I now rely on to maintain balance in my daily life. And when those occasional sleepless nights do happen, the ABC game has become my go-to for quieting my mind and getting back to sleep quickly.

The beauty of all these changes is how simple they are to implement, but their impact has been profound. Whether it’s something as small as changing the lighting in my space or prepping ingredients in advance, these adjustments have made my afternoons and evenings a time of enjoyment rather than a struggle. If you’re looking to overhaul your own afternoon routine, start by making small changes. Focus on what feels fun, lower your standards for the harder tasks, and most importantly, give yourself permission to play.

You might be surprised at how much easier it becomes to achieve your goals and find joy in the process.