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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Shay's Ways ·

Shay’s Ways: 9 Easy Afternoon Energizers


Happy, happy Thursday, friends!

It’s another edition of SHAY’S WAYS!

Today, I am sharing some of my favorite “afternoon energizers”.  These are just little things I do/have done over the years to make my afternoons a little more special.

I don’t know about you, but the afternoon is my least favorite part of the day.  I LOVE my mornings, I’m excited for dinnertime with my family and at night, I get to curl up in bed with a book.  Afternoons though?  I hit my mid-day slump, I’m up to my eyeballs in work, I need to start thinking about after school activities, carpools, what I’m making for dinner, and #alltheotherthings .

Over the years, I have created a few little “afternoon energizers” to help make my afternoons a bit more enjoyable and something I look forward to instead of being the downer part of my day.  These are not rocket science, just friendly little reminders/suggestions should you need a mid-day pick me up.

In no particular order, these are my AFTERNOON energizers:

#1: GO FOR A WALK

Well, I’m sure you knew I would start with this one.  My motto in life is basically “walk, walk, walk”. 🙂

I walk as often as I can, but I especially love a little walk mid-afternoon.  These walks can be as little as five minutes, and it’s the perfect little pick me up.  Some sunshine, some fresh air, and I’m ready to head back inside to finish my work day.

#2: READ A GOOD MAGAZINE

Over the years, I have substantially cut down on my magazine subscriptions.  At one point, I think I had 17 or 18 subscriptions back in the day.  I love reading my books, but I find a magazine is the perfect abbreviated way for me to read a few minutes mid-day.  If I were to start reading my latest novel off my Kindle, I’d get sucked in waaaaaay too long, but I can pick up one of my beloved magazines and enjoy a few happy minutes to break up the afternoon.  If the weather is nice, I’ll take my magazine outside and read a few minutes before heading back in to work.  There is something just easy, light and happy about a magazine that gives me an extra pep in my step.

#3: PLAY FETCH WITH MY DOGS

They might spend the majority of their day sleeping in my office, but if the weather is nice, we’ll take five minutes and go outside to play fetch.  They LOVE fetch, and I love a few minutes in the backyard in the sunshine.

#4: ENJOY COFFEE AND A TREAT

My favorite afternoon treat should I want one is a cup of coffee with a few dark chocolate covered almonds.  It’s just the perfect combination 🙂 . I love this combo all year long, but I especially love it on days when the weather is yucky, and we can’t get outside during the day.

#5: FOLD SOME LAUNDRY WHILE WATCHING A SHOW I’M BINGE-ING

I have a rule about not doing chores while I’m at work, but sometimes, I break my own rule if I need a little afternoon energizer.  If my house is quiet and my people are all at school or work, I’ll sort one big pile of laundry on my bed while watching a binge-worthy show on my phone (right now, it’s The Gilded Age).  I won’t go to all the trouble to put the laundry away, but I’ll take five minutes to sort it, fold towels and get it all organized while watching a few minutes of a great show.

#6: PUT ON A CUTE ROM COM

Awwwwww…you know this about me.  I don’t ever turn my TV on in the morning, but often after lunch, I’ll turn on one of my favorite rom coms and work with it as my background noise.  I watch the same movies over and over again (depending on the season) as I’m not really “watching” them (I have them all memorized at this point), but just enjoying the sound of them in the background.  I always pick movies with great soundtracks too to make it even more enjoyable.

Speaking of enjoyable…

#7: RUN AN (ENJOYABLE!) ERRAND

Sometimes, I’ll save an enjoyable errand for mid-day just to get me out and about for a minute.  By enjoyable, I mean I will go to the pharmacy located right by the Starbucks so that I come home with not only the necessary medication but a drink too.  Little errands like that always give me an afternoon happy buzz.

#8: WORK FROM MY PATIO

Yes, yes, and YES!  You know how much I love working outside on my patio.  It is truly, truly one of my very favorite things to do especially in the spring.  Anytime I can take my work outdoors, I do.  It’s hard to be in an afternoon slump outdoors.

#9: PIDDLE IN MY GARDEN

Do you guys know the word “piddle”?  It’s one my grandmother uses often.  If I need a little afternoon pick me up, I will step outside and check on my little garden or prune my flowers (especially our geraniums) or water my ferns.  These are necessary chores that just seem more fun mid-day.

So, those are my 9 little afternoon energizers.

Do you do these things too?  Do you have any other suggestions or ways to add a little oomph in the afternoon? If so, please comment and share!

In the meantime, don’t forget, I have so many other SHAY’S WAYS you can check out as well.  Just look:

25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home

I hope you all have the BEST afternoon, friends!! xx

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Comments

  1. Jen says

    These are my very favorite kinds of posts! Thanks for doing this series, it is so uplifting. I like to light a candle or warmer when I get home in the afternoon. Will you share your current ones and also your current magazines…with thanks 🥰

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      A candle is a great idea!! My favorites are Good Housekeeping (it has a little bit of everything in it!), Southern Living (a must if you’re a Texas gal) and Coastal Living.

  3. Sheaffer says

    When I’m working on my computer in the afternoons, I can sometimes feel my eyes start to close (usually right around 2:00). If I hop up and take the dogs out, I can snap out of it. However, sometimes I just give in. I find if I’m realllllllllly tired, I can set my phone alarm for 10-15 minutes. I have a gift that if I’m really tired, I can drift off to sleep super fast… and I wake up super energized after a super short nap.

  4. Kelly Marie Sites says

    My mother in law used the word piddle all the time. We love it. For an afternoon slump, I stand in the kitchen and chug a big glass of water. It helps so much, and I drink a ton of water all day but I still need this hydration to get me through the rest of the day. I also will put on a breathing meditation (on my Calm App) and just do a 5 minute breathing calm it all down moment. I walk walk walk around my 3 acres with a dog, or do some stretching.

  5. Alexa says

    I use the Libby app from my library to read magazines for free, and it’s a great way to try out titles I might not have found otherwise.

    • Kayla King says

      I read books on the Libby app but never paid attention to see the magazines. Thanks for sharing!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Good Housekeeping is my FAVORITE because it has a little bit of everything. I also love Southern Living (of course!) and Coastal Living.

  7. SS says

    Shay,
    We go for a walk after lunch with the dogs, too.
    Have you watched Not Dead Yet? TV series with Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin). Only 2 seasons, so cute. We watched on Hulu. It’s a cute gold laundry show.
    We move outside to do some work, too.

  8. Paula says

    I use the word piddle. I love words. One reason I do enjoy reading because it expands & influences my vocabulary. My husband usually says, “Wow, what sre we reading now. That isn’t an everyday word you hear.” 😂

    I love a good magazine too. I usually pile upnon them during our summer vacation and again during the fall season.

    Last, I NEED a puppy. I am working on my non animal loving husband. I think I am getting closer. 🙃

  9. Kathy says

    I love these kind of ideas. Now that my homeschooling days are behind me, I’ve been struggling with my hours during the day. I’ve recently found the old Martha Stewart Living episodes on Amazon. That may not be everyone’s thing, but I’ve always found her so calming to watch and listen to.
    Anyway, you have some great ideas!

  11. Kacey says

    My go-to is upbeat 90s/early 2000s music! I have pretty much perfected my B*witched Pandora station. It has all of the greats! s club 7, spice girls, nsync, deam, b*witched, and so many more. Get’s me dancing around for a few minutes and always makes me happy & energized.

  12. Lucy says

    Great post. Also, I love how words have different meanings in different places, here in the UK, piddle is slang for urinating 😆

      • Leigh says

        This is the definition I’ve always heard too, so when I saw “piddle in the garden”, it made me laugh a little!

        Thanks for the good suggestions. I also love adding fun stops like Starbucks to my errands

    • Christal says

      Haha here in the north too. I’ve only ever heard it to mean that. Piddle is what your dog does a hundred times on a walk. 🙂

      • Jess says

        Yes! I’m from the north too 😅 We say puttering around when we doing little chores.

  13. K.K. says

    I love the idea of walking. Having a standing desk at work for the afternoon is nice too! I got the manual one from Amazon that is pretty inexpensive and does the job.
    As far as magazines, I get it! I think I love the glossy pages. Why does that feel so special? My very very favorite and only subscription is Cottages and Bungalows. Highly recommend for anyone who likes light and cozy. 💗

  14. Rhoda W says

    Shay, Your last energizer made me laugh so hard! Do not confess to English folk that you enjoy “a piddle” in the garden. It means something entirely different over the pond!

  15. sandi says

    I’ve got nothing to add, but hearing the word “piddle” flashed some fond grandmother memories my way. I’m just piddling in the yard or I’m piddling around the kitchen were her top two phrases. Such a fun word!

  18. Dana P says

    Ironically, I read your blog, drink a coffee and have a small bag of Cadbury mini eggs (if I’ve stocked up enough). Then I read my favorite round-up of Christian articles for the day by Tim Challies, it’s called ‘a la carte.’ I also love to call my mom or a friend. Just hearing them pick up the phone energizes me!

  19. Faith says

    Isn’t today Thursday? I thought I had to do this week all over again. I seriously thought I was crazy. Love these ideas. Today is rainy and stormy here so I’ll need all the indoor ideas to keep me going!

  21. Jen says

    Piddle reminds me of when my husband uses the word tinker. He’s going to go tinker around the shop or outside. Similar meanings! Now after reading that British meaning I also can’t stop thinking about that kind of piddle.

  22. Alyssa says

    Love all these! The word PIDDLE, my mom and grandparents used to talk about a dog going potty. I always assumed it was going number one. Which is why I giggled about “piddling around the house!” hehe

  23. Anne says

    Hi Shay! I am interested in renting a home/cottage on Nantucket for roughly a week this year. Do you know of any rental agencies to inquire with? Having a hard time narrowing it down online.

  25. Nicole says

    Shay, do you have a list of movies you put on in the background when you work? I always think about doing this but can never seem to settle on the right movie and waste so much time that I just turn off the tv. 😂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It changes by the season, but here is a rough list:
      Fall
      When Harry Met Sally
      You’ve Got Mail
      Hocus Pocus
      Runaway Bride

      Christmas
      The Family Man
      The Family Stone
      The Holiday
      Love Actually

      Winter
      Bridget Jones’ Diary
      Leap Year
      Sleepless in Seattle

      Spring/Summer
      It’s Complicated
      Something’s Gotta Give
      Under the Tuscan Sun
      Eat, Pray, Love
      Crazy Rich Asians

      There are a few more, but those are my tried and true!

  26. Molly says

    There is NO WAY you work 40 hours a week at your “agency” and have time to work out, run to Trader Joe’s constantly, cook dinner, make treats for your “sweet +2” read books and magazines, shower, do your “6 times a week” shenanigans with Tandrew, walk the dogs, laundry, errands – like, you are aware what you say is absolutely not possible in a day, even if you wake up at 4. I work from home with NO kids and 2 dogs and from 8-5 I have to concentrate on work. After that, there are only a few hours to make dinner and do chores and then minimal time to wind down. I often stay up past midnight just to have alone time. Please be more realistic. It would be absolutely manic to accomplish what you claim you do in a day.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      As much as I appreciate you labeling me some sort of super woman, I know a lot of amazing single moms/women who have husbands in the military or travel during the week/are firefighters/officers and women that work multiple jobs that do WAY MORE than me. I think it minimizes their amazing hard work to act like I do “so much”. Those are the women we should look to and say “Wow, how do you do it all?”. It sounds though like you might need to read Lazy Genius! She has some great time management tips that could really help you!

        • Mary says

          I agree. 😉 But, I just can’t get into The Lazy Genius. I’ve tried & tried! Any other good podcast recommendations out there, anyone?

  27. Norita says

    You may have addressed this before and I missed it, but would you talk about your desk organization? Specifically, I suspect you use a laptop and do you have an additional keyboard and if so, how is that set up?
    Thanks. LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Well you are too sweet! I am SO thankful for YOU! I don’t know (but I would have to go back and look) that I’ve done a desk organization post. I have a macbook which I use as my “extra” screen/computer when I need more than one, but I use a normal PC desktop for almost everything. Andrew says I need a second monitor, but for whatever reason, I only use one (and then supplement with my macbook). I only have the one keyboard. It could all probably be updated, but it works, so I don’t mess with it.

  28. Jackie says

    Looong time blog reader. These are great tips if you are at home all day. And it sounds like most of your responders are. I’m not sure my boss would be cool with me playing a rom com or leaving to go outside or lounging with a magazine during my work day. Neither my dog or my laundry is here at my office. So this would more accurately be titled “tips to energize a day at home”. I think maybe specifying that would help your reader’s frustration. And I will definitely apply some of these on a Sunday at home when it’s too easy to lounge on the couch! 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Well, the post isn’t titled “afternoon workday energizers” so yes, a Sunday or Saturday slump could totally be make use of these. If you have any to suggest that you love during your workday, I’m sure this community would love to read them!

    • Kelly says

      When I was a teacher, I hit this slump around 1:35:) so I started setting a “bathroom break” timer at 1:30 to bring the kids to restroom and go make a quick coffee. Her tips definitely apply, just have to be creative! Yesterday was a work day so maybe reading blogs is your thing at work? Thats great! Also it helped to open the window and let fresh air in and work on a menu for that week or the next week as a pick me up if I had time:)

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