If you’re like me, working a 9-to-5 job, you probably know that the sense of accomplishment from work can be fleeting—it comes and goes quickly.
Even when work isn’t busy, the energy it drains can make you want to do nothing but lie on the sofa and become a couch potato, scrolling through TikTok.
But we all need to build a sense of order and enjoy our lives, don’t we?
Resilience, emotional stability, the ability to find beauty in ordinary things, open-mindedness, and composure—along with concrete activities like cooking, working out, reading, and journaling—these small, ordinary moments are what truly support a person’s long-term, stable sense of self.
You are a seagull. Your mission is to go to the pier and find your fries:
1. Look Up at the Sky and Take a Picture of the Clouds
You’ve been sitting at your desk all day, your body trapped in a chair 🪑 for hours. On your way home, or even just by walking to the window, remember to look up.
The clouds are always changing, like a slow-motion livestream in the sky where every frame is unique. Snap a picture, and your mood will likely lighten up along with it.
2. Take a Citywalk in the Evening
Don’t rush straight into the subway. Take a random walk through the city at night. If you don’t live too far, maybe even try walking home. Become an aimless urban wanderer in the quiet of the evening.
The streetlights will stretch your shadow long, warm light will spill from shops that haven’t closed yet, and the last bus will rumble leisurely by. As you walk, just watching the traffic and the people on the street, you’ll feel truly alive in this city, surrounded by the warm, bustling energy of life.
3. Eat Something Delicious
Nothing heals fatigue quite like good food. It could be that little restaurant you’ve been meaning to try, or just a simple bowl of noodles you make for yourself on a weekend afternoon.
As soon as you take a bite of something delicious, you’ll feel like it was all worth it.
4. Find a Spot to Watch the Sunset
As work is ending, check the sunset time and find a place with a good view, like an overpass or a spot by the river, and quietly watch the day end.
Seeing the sun sink bit by bit, making a graceful exit as the colors of the sky slowly shift, you’ll feel like the day has been gently brought to a close.
5. Watch a Movie or a Documentary
Friday nights offer the most freedom. Find a movie you’ve been wanting to see, curl up on the sofa, and completely immerse yourself in it.
As the light and shadows flow, you get to experience a different kind of life alongside the protagonist, and it feels like your own world has expanded just a little.
6. Listen to a Podcast
On your commute, free your ears from the surrounding noise. Put on your headphones and play a favorite podcast. Listen to people chat, share some useless knowledge, or tell a distant story.
In the bubble of someone else’s voice, you can temporarily become an “outsider,” safely detaching from the inertia of work.
7. Write in a Journal or Doodle
Pour all the messy, jumbled, and indescribable thoughts from your head onto paper. Write them down, or just doodle aimlessly.
This isn’t about creating art; it’s more like tidying up. You don’t need to be a great writer or a talented artist—it’s simply an outlet for expressing and organizing your emotions.
8. Get a Houseplant
You could try raising a plant. Watching it sprout, grow, and finally bloom can bring a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Or, you could simply tidy up your room. A clean and neat corner can also be a resting place for our tired souls.
9. Create Some Atmosphere
Light your favorite scented candle, put on some music, or even seriously try to learn a song you love (it’s okay if you’re off-key).
Let the pleasant smells and sounds envelop you, like wrapping yourself in a soft, sensory blanket.
10. Share and Document
When you encounter something interesting or a funny moment, don’t just let it slip away. You could take a short video with your phone to capture these fragments of life.
When you look back on them later, you’ll discover so much beauty you had previously overlooked.
11. Take a Random Bus Trip
Once in a while, let yourself go on a journey with no destination. Just hop on a random bus without checking the route and let it take you to an unfamiliar street corner.
It’s like opening a mystery box, adding a small, controllable touch of disorder to an otherwise routine life.
12. If You’re Truly Exhausted, Just Go to Sleep
Listen, if you are absolutely exhausted, don’t do anything else. Put down your phone and get a good night’s sleep.
Sleep is the lowest-cost and most effective way to recharge. It works better than anything.
Once you’re fully rested, tomorrow is a new day.
The original text was not written in English. Gemini 2.5 Pro translated it.