Let’s be real. You work all day, give your absolute best (or at least pretend to in meetings), and then what? You drag yourself home, still mentally composing emails in your head, and somehow wonder why you’re exhausted but can’t relax?
Well, spoiler alert: It’s because you’re doing all the wrong things after work.
Want to feel like an actual human again instead of a corporate zombie? Then, lady, it’s time to break some bad habits. Here are five things you need to STOP doing after work immediately.
1. Stop Checking Work Emails (Your Boss Can Wait!)
Oh, so you finally made it home, kicked off your shoes, and, BAM!, you’re scrolling through your inbox “just to stay on top of things.”
Nope. Stop it. Your job does not own you 24/7.
That email can wait. Your peace of mind cannot. If the building isn’t on fire and nobody’s life depends on your response, shut it down. You are not paid to be available 24/7. The world will survive if you respond tomorrow.
2. Stop Saying ‘Yes’ to Every Plan (You’re Not a Social Machine)
We get it. You don’t want to be that person who cancels plans last minute. But also, let’s be honest, half the time you say yes, you’re already dreading it.
Newsflash: You don’t have to go to every dinner, happy hour, or yoga class your friend invites you to.
Your time is precious. If you’d rather put on pajamas, eat snacks, and binge-watch your favorite show, then own it! Protect your energy like your life depends on it, because, frankly, it does.
3. Stop Mindless Scrolling (Your Bedtime Deserves Better)
Ah, yes. The post-work Instagram-TikTok-YouTube vortex. One minute, you’re watching a cute dog video. Next thing you know, it’s midnight, and you’re on your 15th conspiracy theory video about the moon landing.
Your phone is stealing your sleep, your time, and your sanity. Instead, swap the doom-scrolling for an actual relaxation ritual: read a book, stretch, or, dare I say, just close your eyes and breathe.
Your eyeballs will thank you.
4. Stop Eating Dinner Like a Rushed Maniac
If your idea of dinner is inhaling whatever’s easiest while simultaneously scrolling emails, congratulations! You’ve turned eating into another task instead of an enjoyable experience.
Try this instead: Sit down. Chew your food. Taste it. Maybe even light a candle or play soft music if you’re feeling fancy. Treat dinner like the sacred ritual it should be, because, believe it or not, food tastes better when you’re not shoveling it in like an assembly-line worker.
5. Stop Ignoring Your Own Needs (You Deserve Better!)
When was the last time you did something just for you? And no, “watching Netflix while answering Slack messages” does not count.
After work, prioritize YOU. Whether it’s a long bath, journaling, reading, or dancing in your underwear to Beyoncé, do something that makes you feel alive. Your job takes enough of your energy; don’t let it take your entire existence.
Final Thought: What’s ONE Thing You’ll Stop Doing Today?
Seriously. Pick one. Your post-work habits shape how you feel every single day. So, are you going to keep running on empty, or are you finally going to take control and prioritize yourself?
Drop a comment below and tell me: What’s the first thing you’re quitting?