Does anyone relate to the following scenario? You wake up in the morning, eager to start the day (lol), planning out things to do after work like working on your side hustle after work, training for that marathon, cooking that four-course meal you found on Pinterest, and still having time to watch the new episode of The Bachelorette. But then when the time comes, and you get home from work, all of your energy is drained and the only thing that sounds appealing is sitting on the couch and watching re-runs of Friends until it’s time to cook dinner.

Anyone relate? Me too. I get stuck in this routine, and I end up achieving nothing on my goals list.

But I’m exhausted. But here’s the thing. The problem with adding all of these things like training for a marathon and cooking a four-course meal—those aren’t realistic! (I know they aren’t, but try to fill in the blank with what’s unrealistic to you.) Instead of planning to train for a marathon or doing all the things (aka the extreme), I recognize the signs and energy levels from my body after work so that I can plan realistic things to do around those levels. Instead of emotionally beating myself up for not being productive after work, I allow myself time for me to just relax, not putting so much pressure on myself to get things done within the hours of 5-9 pm. I like to call these things my mindless activities or ya know, “ugly self-care.” Because no one really talks about these things as self-care. So, these are things I like to do to “de-stress” after work.

Watch a comfort TV show. 

Don’t be afraid to sit in front of the TV and watch a comfort TV show. You worked all day, and you want to unwind by doing mindless activities. Turn on Friends or Gilmore Girls or whatever show that you like. Set a time limit so you don’t watch until bedtime. Take this time to catch up on one of your favorite shows! 

Go on a long walk immediately after work. 

Instead of heading to the couch in case you get stuck planted on the couch until bedtime, change into some workout gear and go on a long walk! Listen to a podcast, a fun playlist, or audiobook to get you excited for your walk. My tip? Set these walking clothes out in the morning so you have them out by the time you get home from work.

Read at least one chapter of your current read. 

I work in editorial, so after reading and writing all day, the last thing I want to do is read more (even though I consider it one of my self-care activities!). But dedicate time to read at least one chapter a day, specifically after work. Remember that tip about it takes 21 days to build a habit? Just read a little bit more and more of your current read and you can make it a habit.

Go to the grocery store. 

I mean, Trader Joe’s is a form of therapy, isn’t it? It is to me. This may not be considered as “self-care” so I want to define it as my own personal self-care. It may not be a long hot bubble bath, but it’s still taking time for yourself! Stop by Trader Joe’s on the way home or walk to your local grocery store to pick up what you need for dinner the next few nights. It will help you detach from work. 

Cook dinner. 

Depending on when you get off work, it might be time for dinner! Turn on some tunes, watch a couple YouTube videos, call your Mom, or listen to an audiobook while you cook dinner. It beats ordering takeout for the third time that week. 

Take a nice, long bubble bath (or shower). 

There are pretty self-care items and then there are “ugly” self-care items. Amber Burns on her podcast, “Thank You for Asking” defines ugly self-care so you can go take a listen, but essentially, ugly self-care are all of the things that make us feel good but aren’t Instagram or Pinterest worthy. For me, I don’t really like baths but a nice shower after a long day is essential. 

Take a workout class. 

Yoga is one of the better classes you can take to de-stress, however, Zumba always gets me out of a funk. There are tons of YouTube workouts online, but try some! MadFit and Emkfit are some of my favorites.  

Call your parents. 

Because they probably miss you. And it’s nice. Catch up with your parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, or significant other. 

We’re all struggling. Don’t try to fill your after-work schedule with things to do just to keep busy. You work all day—you deserve at least 1-2 hours of TV time!