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Whether you’re a work-from-home girlie or work in the corporate office, the workday tends to drag on. By the time the clock strikes 2:00 in the afternoon, my attention span is waning, and the urge to take a break is setting in. While most work days can be mundane, I’ve found that finding an excuse to take a “side quest” helps to break up the day. I may even argue that it makes my afternoon work more efficient and motivating — especially with an iced matcha in hand.
Side quests during the work week can take many forms and range in activity level. So if you’re looking for a quick activity to split up your 9-5, I’m sharing 10 different adventures that are totally doable, while you’re on the clock. Keep reading to start brainstorming this week’s side quests.
What does a side quest look like during the workday?
Side quests before or during the workday are a great way to spontaneously be creative and try something new. It’s a great way to break up the workday and allow your mind to think in a new way. This could be something small, like taking a break to doodle, or an activity that’s more grand, like leaving the office to take a quick walk outside.
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10 “Side Quest” Ideas to Break Up The Work Day
1. Take a Coffee Break
One of my favorite side quests during the work day is to take a coffee break. Most days, that looks like making a fun coffee at home and drinking it out of a cute icon glass. However, some days, I do like to break out my WFH office and venture to my favorite local coffee shop for an afternoon pick-me-up drink.
2. Go on a Short Walk During Lunch
On sunny days, when the weather is particularly nice, I love going on a short walk during my lunch break. After sitting at a desk all day, getting some movement outside makes me feel more alive. It energizes me to get more work done at the end of the day, too.
3. Take a Trip to the Bookstore
If you live in a city where a bookstore is a short distance from your work, taking a side quest to visit it and peruse the aisles for a new book or magazine sounds like a fun way to split up the day. Maybe there will be enough time to start reading your book before your lunch break ends.
4. Stop by a New Bakery for Breakfast
To be honest, the work day begins when you leave the house in the morning. The commute in itself can feel burdensome, so why not create a side quest to a new bakery before the work actually begins? Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new go-to bagel shop or drop-in pastry shop.
5. Explore a New Neighborhood
Whether you walk to work or have a drive, there’s something about taking a different route that opens your eyes to a different side of the city you live in. Find some time to map out where to go and when you’ll need to leave your house. Otherwise, take some time after your 9-5 to take an extra-long walk home through a different borough.
6. Try a Different Workout
There’s nothing better than a good sweat to relieve some stress after a long workday. Plus, throwing myself into new movement after work is something I never regret. One of my favorite things to do is try a new type of workout class every now and then.
7. Find a Moment to Doodle, Sketch, or Write
This year, I’m making it a goal to try more tactical, creative outlets — including things I used to do in my free time before social media took over. Some ways of doing this could be choosing to doodle, sketch, or free write.
8. Try a New Cuisine for Lunch
I am an incredibly ritualistic eater when it comes to my lunch during the work week. I always meal prep the same thing every week simply because it makes life easier. However, every now and then, I think it would be a fun side quest to take a lunch break and try a new restaurant or cuisine rather than my normal salad or soup.
9. Read on a Park Bench
Need an escape from the office? Take your lunch break outside. Find a park bench or picnic table to eat, relax, and read. There’s something so refreshing about changing your environment and getting outside before finishing up the day.
10. Take a Look at a New Thrift Store
On your way home from work, take some time to decompress and look in a new thrift store. Finding a new top, jacket or pair of vintage jeans is the perfect motivator to wear something new to work the next day.
