Advice about switching off in the evenings

[purplepandas]

Hello,

I am really crap at switching off in the evenings from work and home. TV is just not cutting it and I am wondering whether I need to do something craft like. But I am equally crap at craft. Something to occupy my hands and require some concentration but not lots. Any ideas?

It's getting me down as the only thing that seems to work is going to sleep but that means no down time at all and I need that. I do exercise when I can ( just got back from a run) and often can't leave in the eves due to childcare do something at home if that makes sense.

Thank you

Pp

I do adult colouring! I'm not very good at it, but I use brush pens and it's really soothing. I like the books by Hannah Harlzon, they're pretty but not overly detailed.

...I also like the swearing ones (where you colour in large swear words) with a large glass of wine for bad days

I crochet. I'm self taught via YouTube and it took a long time to make anything usable but it's really helped me. It's not massively difficult (once you've got the hang of it) but it enough to occupy my mind. I even take it to work sometimes now and do it when I need a 10 min break etc - I've also noticed a few other people have brought in their crafts too since I started (cross stitch may be another thing to try but I've not done that myself so can't help)

I enjoy cross stitching. If you have some level of hand eye co-ordination and can follow a chart it doesn't require too much brain power. You can even buy pre gridded fabric to work on to help with counting and finding your place.

Thank youo @dollybird78, @stefoscope and @crazybaubles. These are all great suggestions. The colouring book with the swear words for bad days made me laugh. I am going to investigate, thank you.

I love 1000-piece jigsaws. I have one of those big storage folders so you don’t have to leave it out.

Have a look at dry felting.

I colour, or cross stitch. I have got a felting kit which I think will be cathartic as it's to be stabbed bazillions of times to 'felt' the woolly material. I also like to do a face mask and listen to some music.

I have puzzle books. I buy those with various puzzles in and work my way through them. I find it really helps me switch off and relax. I’m realising as I’m getting older that I need a bit more peace and the constant noise and humdrum of the telly gets on my nerves so once the kids have gone off to their rooms, I settle down with a book in silence. I love it.
I do love the idea of swear word colouring too. I’m going to look for that now!

I play some games on my PC and watch some Netflix.

TV is trash, wouldn’t have one if the partner wasn’t so insistent.

I love crochet, self taught using "the happy hooker" book by Debbie Stoller, and YouTube when needed. It's a great hobby and so many ace things to make. Hand embroidery is fun as well, and really easy. Sublime stitching is a good website for lovely modern ideas. Puzzle books are a good option too, I enjoy them sometimes. And can't go wrong with ready a good book in the bath. I've gotten really back into reading this last year, since getting a new kindle and also figuring out the library catalogue to I can search and order books in

Jig saws for me

If you’ve got netflix..Santa clarities diet is a great stress buster

Acrylic pouring is so easy and very, therapeutic

I like a big arrow words crossword book..I just go through the book filling in clues and when I get stuck, move onto the next one..next day I’ll start on the one I get stuck on and go from there
I got a duff book..and half the solutions aren’t in Theresa I have to persevere..it’s really increasing my vocabulary again

We learnt how to make jewellery from semi precious beads..see if there’s a class in your are
Silver wrap stones are quite easy and macrame with Chinese knotting thread is very effective

Yes to jigsaws...kids tell you so much when you’re jigsawing

Sportive quizzes are good

Thank you all, so helpful. I really appreciate it. I will have a think about what migh work best for me. I do love to read but just can't in the eves as so much of my job is reading. I actually miss it and can only really read on holiday these days (for fun).

And I do love a good arrowword, that's a holiday thing too. Will dig my hald completed one out!

I crochet too, but my first thought for you was proper patience with cards not on a screen. Shuffling cards is therapeutic I find.

Thanks @homemadecommunistrussia (nice usename btw)

I'm making an advent calendar at the moment. Buy the panel, have done a lot of the sewing by machine but now I am at the stage of doing the hand sewing (my favourite part).

Knitting is good and useful for making winter presents.

Would audiobooks be an option @purplepandas? I listen to them while driving/cooking/tidying etc and they're great. Audible is brilliant, and usually gives a 1-2 book free trial. Also most libraries have an app you can borrow them from as well (mine uses the BorrowBox app). It might be something to try if you miss reading but don't want to have to sit and concentrate on a written book