Recently, I read an article from Statista that, unsurprisingly declared, “Americans are spending more time than ever consuming media, with projections indicating a continued upward trend … the average time spent with major media formats, including television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and digital platforms … is expected to surpass 13 hours and 40 minutes [per day] by 2026.” Holy Shmoly!!
You only have to look at recent global events to wonder how much negativity we put into our daily lives. Moreover, how much of the media is accurate or even real? Now, to each their own with how you spend your time. But I’ve noticed that the more media I consume, the heavier my spirit feels, and that doesn’t parallel the life I’m building.
On that happy thought, I had an epiphany. Instead of handing over the days of our lives to the effects of blue screens, can we reclaim bits of joy, fulfillment, and a sense of choice with how we spend our time?
Can we make itsy bitsy shifts, without pressure, to improve our lives? Can we take back our schedules, our brains (hello), and our mental health? The answer is a resounding — YES!
Being a reformed “A-type,” I rolled up my sleeves and got to work creating a list of things I could do in the evenings besides clutching the remote and scrolling. It was fun until I got stuck at 29 items. Doing the only reasonable thing, I put out da’ word to my immigrant sistas here in Portugal, asking, “What do you do with your evenings besides watching TV?” They came through like Mary Poppins with cool and simple tips. Thanks, ladies.
Don’t get me wrong; I love watching a good movie as much as the next person. In fact, when I pet sit internationally, I often do a little binging, mainly because my host has all the sexy TV subscriptions that I don’t.
But I have found when my brain is tired — as a writer, I live in my head, all day, every day, all night, it’s exhausting — and I can’t formulate a simple sentence, pairing some of the following activities instead of plopping down in front of Netflix clears my psyche. And when my head hits the pillow, I feel relaxed, free of bluescreen interference, and large-and-in-charge with my choices. I sleep like a milk-drunk baby.
Whether solo or with your partner and family, use this list to create options to reclaim your evenings (and free up your weekends). Think of this as a mix-and-match to a better life. Let go of perfection. Think bite-sized options.
BODY
Spot exercise for 10-15 minutes—abs, yoga, triceps, posture, hips, or back. Grab a YouTube video to loosen up and pinpoint those struggle areas—I’m talkin’ to you, gluteus maximus and love handles.
Go for a walk, even if it means using a headlamp and bundling up.
Pedicure/manicure: Clean, scrub, and a sassy polish, preferably with vino.
A hot, luxurious, “don’t bug me” bath.
Give your teeth (and gums) some extra love.
Indulge in a skin or hair mask, foot massage, or body scrub.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
MIND & SOUL
Affirmations: Last year, I wholeheartedly embraced daily affirmations. My dear (and wise) friend Marilyn Lawrence just published a fabulous, categorized book titled The Book Of I Am Affirmations. I can open it up and read some positive nuggets on particular subjects. Call it what you want: God, Universal Intelligence, the Divine. Frankly, I don’t get hung up on names. All I know is that what we feed our mind — grows. I hope you choose to feed yours with positive, uplifting thoughts.
Turn on music: Discover a new genre of music, like Afro-Peruvian.
Dance: Bang out a new step or two at your next class reunion.
Meditate: After immigrating to Portugal in 2023, when my heart started acting like a 4th of July fireworks display, I got on board with meditation. It helped — a lot. I’m not talking about listening to some guru who sounds like he’s stoned drone-on about emptying your mind. Try Mindful Movement on YouTube. They list it “as an oasis where you can come to tap into your inner calm, develop a positive mindset, and heal from the stress that’s blocking your fulfillment.” I’ll take that any day over having a love affair with a TV rerun. Meditating is a tool for anxiety and stress. I simply take a moment to listen to myself for what I need, plug it in the search bar, and do a short 10-15 minute meditation focusing on that area. It might be: letting go, releasing negativity, self-confidence, being grounded, or focus.
Learn breathing techniques.
Journal.
Give Yourself Space: For what you ask? To release material stuff that weighs you down, to release toxic people who are always available to remind you of how you don’t measure up to their plan for your life, to release guilt, fear, self-doubt, or whatever puts you in a box.
Dream until it intimidates and excites you more than a 2-pound Chicken Burrito with extra sour cream and Habanero Salsa. I digress.
Nourish a light, open heart.
Embrace silence: Scary at first, then oh, so sublime.
SOCIAL AND CREATIVE
Grab some friends to try a new restaurant or brewery.
Join a book, dinner, language, hobby, or dinner club.
Chip away on a winter puzzle. A favorite!
Create (or attend) a game, quiz, or comedy night. Keep it simple.
Visit and evening art exhibit.
Listen to live music. It doesn’t have to be a late night.
Call someone. Facetime. Let’s put a damper on isolation.
Penpal: Join Global Penfriend, connect to the military or elderly, and make someone’s day.
Host a karaoke night.
Craft projects. Learn a new one and let your creative juices flow.
Learn a new recipe.
Volunteer as your schedule allows. Every bit helps.
Go stargazing in winter when it gets dark before you’ve had the chance to digest the aforementioned 2-pound Chicken Burrito.
Play board games. The easier and less brain activity, the better.
Go on a dessert date.
Host a dessert night.
While living in Reno, I loved grabbing a blanket and my fuzzy kitty cat and sitting outside to watch the glorious Nevada-painted sky.
Have a hot tub or summer pool potluck party.
Play tourist and explore your city.
Have a s’more night.
Pick a country, prepare a national dish, and celebrate a new culture.
I’ve set myself free from watching TV or scrolling social media out of boredom or to mentally check out after a busy day.
YOUR FUTURE
Research a new travel destination. How many of us don’t explore our own state or region? Plan some day trips (preferably with physical activity) to experience something new, reduce stress, and get some fresh air. Come Monday, you’ll have juicy stories to share around the water cooler.
Dedicate 30 minutes to catch up on bookkeeping, tax deductions, and clear out emails. NOTE: This is a 30-minute rule, not a marathon.
Take an online course. Every winter, I dive into at least one online course to learn something new or expand my knowledge. With over 260,000 reasonably priced, self-paced courses, Udemy or Coursera can teach you anything: business hobbies, tech skills, photography, belly dancing, investing, or a new language. Start now, and “oui, oui” will soon roll off your tongue like a silky French wine.
Spend some one-on-one time with family, friends, and your pets who sit alone all day.
Read — that’s r-e-a-d. It’s a foreign word to some. It involves things called books, either in print or on your trusty Kindle. Last year, I read 29 books without trying. It was easy to do with pintsized shifts in my life.
Don’t like to read? Put on an audible book or podcast.
JUMPSTART YOUR WEEKEND
Checking off some housekeeping or chores during weeknights can free up weekends for something called F-U-N! Enlist the help of family members who are buried in their smartphones. It's not a big production: 15-20 minutes. Doing something physical in the evenings clears my head, relaxes my eyes, and helps me sleep better.
Sort and purge photos: Do you really need blurry Grand Canyon landscape pics from 1982?
Dust for 30 minutes (because that’s about all I can tolerate).
Sort: Tackle the dreaded “junk” drawer or a few kitchen or bathroom drawers. Purge, wipe down, and restock.
Meal prep for a few days: When did meal prep become a weekend warrior production? Tackle a few days.
Create your weekly schedule with new, inspiring evening activities.
Catch up on ironing and laundry (yes, some of us still iron).
Mend that sleeve, clean those shoes, pack away seasonal clothing, and feel the lightness this brings.
Dive into your pantry! Hello canned goods that expired when Clinton was president.
There you have it; 50 small ideas to mix and match to reclaim your evenings, and your life. Keep it simple. Set a timer if you have to.
I hope that you refer back to this list: print it and stick it on your frig, and comment with your inspiring suggestions — I’m all ears.
As always, thank you for your support. Go Silver Oyster is dedicated to providing authentic (with a dash of sass) articles about travel for people of a certain age, immigration, and international pet sitting. And, like this article, the occasional I just have to share!