My career means the world to me. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where I am, and I’m proud of every late night, stressful weekend and early morning that’s brought me here. After finishing my degree, I bounced around different office jobs before finally finding my place in marketing — and after years of climbing the ladder, I’m now the head of my department with a brilliant team around me.
But here’s the problem: I find it almost impossible to switch off. Even when I’m driving home after a long day, my brain’s already planning tomorrow. It’s like my mind doesn’t have an off button — and honestly, it’s exhausting. Over time, though, I’ve learned a few small habits that really help me wind down and create some separation between me and my job…Here’s how I turn myself off from work.
Write for My Freelance Projects
I know this one’s pretty specific to me, but I think everyone needs a creative outlet that isn’t tied to their nine-to-five. For me, writing does exactly that.
When I sit down to write blog posts or freelance pieces, it’s like flicking a switch in my brain. I curl up in our snug under a pile of blankets, laptop balanced on my knees, and I just write. Sometimes it’s five posts in one sitting, sometimes it’s half a draft — either way, it pulls me out of my work headspace. It might technically be another kind of “work,” but it’s the kind that feels comforting and freeing.
Do Some Exercise (Even If I Don’t Want To)
I wish I could say I love exercise, but that ship has sailed… for now. I go through phases of being a full-on gym bunny and others where I’d rather merge with the sofa. Currently, it’s the latter.
Still, I make myself move — even if it’s just a walk or a quick jog with my extremely lazy golden retriever. By the time we get back home, my mind has reset. It’s not about burning calories or chasing endorphins — it’s about giving my brain something else to focus on.
Actually Talk to My Husband
You’d think that since we live and work together, we’d run out of things to say — but somehow, we don’t. What we do run out of, though, is meaningful conversation.
So every now and then, we make a point of just sitting down with a glass of wine, turning off the TV, and talking. Not about work emails or meetings, but about everything else — life, memories, random thoughts. It helps us reconnect, regroup, and remember that we’re more than just colleagues at home. Those moments are honestly some of my favourites.
Watch Something That Grabs Me
I once read that people with anxiety rewatch the same TV shows over and over because they already know what’s going to happen — and I’ve never felt more seen.
I’m definitely guilty of this, but sometimes I push myself to watch something new. My husband and I are both true crime addicts, so we’ll usually end up glued to some documentary about a case we’ve never heard of. There’s something oddly relaxing about getting lost in someone else’s story for a while — even if it does raise my heart rate slightly.
Pamper Myself (Properly)
I’m getting better at this one, but it’s still a work in progress. I spend so much time glued to screens that switching off completely and focusing on something offline feels almost luxurious.
So I’ll head to my dressing room, put my phone on silent, and do something indulgent — a manicure, lash perm, brow lamination, face mask, the works. By the time I’m done, I feel calm, refreshed, and far less tempted to check my emails “just for a second.” It’s my favourite way to end the day when I’ve been running on full steam.
Final Thoughts
These might all seem like small things, but together they make a huge difference. If I don’t take the time to switch off, I find myself spiralling — sitting at my desk hours after I’ve logged off, chasing thoughts that could easily wait until morning.
Learning to turn yourself off from work isn’t about laziness or lack of ambition. It’s about balance. Passion is wonderful, but it’s not sustainable if it burns you out. So now, I make a conscious effort to pause — to enjoy the parts of life that exist outside of my inbox.
I’d love to hear how you switch off after work. What helps you unwind and recharge? Let me know in the comments — I’m always up for adding new ideas to my self-care routine.
