The 8pm Evening Reset (for people who are already tired)
By 8pm, most of us are running on crumbs. Not in a “soft glow candlelight” way — more like “I’m horizontal but mentally scrolling my to-do list.” Here’s an evening reset that’s gentle, quick, and actually doable when you’re done for the day.
why evenings feel chaotic
Evenings are when all the tabs in your brain start yelling:
• “Did I respond to that message?”
• “What’s for lunch tomorrow?”
• “Why are there so many cups in the sink?”
Your mind is tired, your body is tired, your soul is tired —
but tomorrow still needs things from you.
the 8pm soft reset (10 minutes max)
Not a routine. Not a ritual. Just a tiny “put life back on its tracks” moment.
1. clear the “landing zone”
Not the entire house — just the place you see first in the morning. Kitchen island, entry table, or the chair you swear isn’t a laundry chair (but it is).
2. tomorrow’s “big 3”
Not a full to-do list. Just the three things future-you will appreciate having pre-decided. Bonus: you’ll sleep better when your brain isn’t holding 37 reminders.
3. tiny prep, big payoff
Lay out your clothes, fill your water bottle, pack a lunch, or prep coffee. Pick one — not all. You’re not auditioning for a productivity documentary.
4. the 60-second body reset
A stretch, a deep breath, a long exhale… That’s it. It signals your brain that the day is done.
why this works
It quiets the “oh no I forgot something” anxiety. It reduces morning decision overload. And it gives you a small win at the end of a long day.
You don’t need a whole new life. You just need a calmer 10 minutes.
want an app that walks you through this every night?
The Doing My Best Life App includes a gentle “Evening Reset” flow that guides you step-by-step without pressure.
Prefer to adjust everything your own way?
The Notion OS version includes an editable evening reset you can customize to fit your own rhythms.
get the notion os — $10