15 Amazing Things To Do At Night (That Don't Involve Sleep)

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Here are the 15 engaging things to do at night when sleep is the last thing on your mind.

As much as I love sleeping on time and waking up at 6 am sharp, it’s not always possible to maintain this strict schedule.

I work from home, which makes it all too easy to go lax with my routine and let it turn into smithereens.

And if I’m being completely honest, the nightlife is too exciting and appealing for the owl in me to resist.

There’s just something about these hours that makes staying up worth it.

There’s magic in the nightlife and loads of inspiration just waiting to be tapped into.

I spend many nights staying up doing the most random stuff, and in this post, I want to share my favorite nighttime activities with you.

Whether you’re intentionally looking to have a fun night or just can’t seem to sleep, these tips will make the experience worth your while.

15 Awesome Things To Do At Night

1. Take A Shower And Pamper Yourself

There’s no wrong hour to give your body some self-care, but if I had to pick my favorite time for it, I’d say it’s the night.

I mean, the day is done and you have some quiet moments to yourself. Why wouldn’t you want to spend it pampering your body?

Draw a warm bath, pull out your fav essential oils and bath bombs, light a scented candle, and get soaking!

For some healthy haircare, put on a nourishing hair mask and wash it off with your shampoo.

Once you’re out of the tub, put on your fluffiest robe, and put on a hydrating face mask.

Paint your nails, spritz on some perfume, and enjoy feeling fresh as a leaf.

2. Call A Friend

I can’t be the only person who loves midnight phone calls (not talking about the drunks ones, of course, those can lead to risky confessions).

Nighttime is perfect for catching up with a friend and talking about everything under the sun.

Call up a friend and spend an hour or two talking.

You can share what’s on your mind, seek some advice, or have a meaningful conversation about life (those are the best ones).

3. Organize Your Wardrobe

If you’re feeling anxious at night and want to channel your energy somewhere healthy, then spend the night organizing your wardrobe.

Plug in some music and start decluttering items that bring you no joy.

Refold the clothes you want to keep, and organize them in a way that makes it easy for your to access them.

Store your home wears separately and also categorize your botooms and tops separately.

The more categories your clothes are sorted in, the calmer you’ll feel while selecting your outfits.

This is a pretty productive use of a sleepless night, if you ask me.

4. Try Midnight Cooking Or Baking

We all have midnight cravings, and we often give in to them by binging on some packed stuff or leftovers.

But how cool would it be to actually make something from scratch and then enjoy your treat?

Look up some simple recipes online, and head to the kitchen to bake or cook something after midnight.

My favorite is chocolate mug cake with a cup of hot tea.

My hygge obsessed self loves whenever I bake and indulge in sweet things like these. Good vibes all around.

5. Host A Virtual Movie Night

I haven’t done a virtual movie night in a while, but when I was in college, I used to do it with my long-distance friends on the weekend.

You can sync up the same movie with your friends online and watch it together while face timing them (coz you want to be able to see their reactions, duh).

It’s fun, engaging, and will also get you to socialize without stepping outside your home.

You might like: 11 Authentic Ways To Be A More Fun Person To Be Around

6. Go To A Night Cafe

When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up and be able to stay out at night. It wasn’t to have sleepovers without permission or to go clubbing, but to visit night cafes.

Now that I am grown up, I spend at least one night out visiting cafes with a friend, and those nights are the highlights of my life.

Cafes are cozy as they are, but at night, since there aren’t many people around, they are amazing spots for meaningful conversations and some quiet time.

Add hot coffee and something sweet to the mix and it’s everything you need to destress and have fun.

Sure, consuming caffeine and eating cakes at night isn’t the healthiest thing you could do, but if you’re willing to make exceptions, it’s totally worth it.

7. Spend Time Under The Stars

Been too long since your last conversation with the stars? Then sky watching might be just what you need for your next night activity.

Head to the rooftop and lie down to observe the night sky.

Try recognizing some constellations — take the help of the Internet if you need it.

I like to spend this time listening to romantic music. It’s all too easy to feel love under the stars, even if you’re rocking your single era like me.

If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.

– Bill Watterson

8. Deep Clean Your Kitchen

I’ll admit, cleaning the kitchen isn’t most people’s idea of a fun night. But it’s something you need a lot of spare hours for.

Rather than spending your day off or the weekend scrubbing the countertops, it’s better to get all of it done on a sleepless night.

Blast some music or a podcast if you want to keep things quiet, and tackle your kitchen.

Dust, clean, declutter, and re-organize the shelves, drawers, and your refrigerator.

Clean the microwave and kettle, and make a list of things you’re running out of to shop for later.

You’re going to feel quite proud of your efforts the next time you step in to cook in your spotless kitchen.

9. Challenge Yourself To Finish A Book

As much as I love savoring my books, my best reads are the ones that happened in one sitting on long nights.

It might seem hard — the idea of finishing a book in a single night.

But if you pick the right book with the right hook, it’s hard to stop till you reach the end.

What are some books that you know you’d love but haven’t gotten around to reading yet?

The next time you want to stay up reading, challenge yourself to finish what you start.

I have some unread books by my favorite authors sitting on my shelf. Guess I know what I’ll be doing on my next night up.

Here are my fav binge-worthy books:

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
The Man I Never Met by Elle Cooke
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

10. Work On A Blog

I’ve lost count of the nights that I’ve spent working on this blog. It’s one of my best ways to spend a productive night in.

You can start a blog on any topic that you’re passionate about, or write about a multitude of things (known as a lifestyle blog).

You could even keep it private and use it as an online journal.

Think about all the themes, ideas, and colors that you’d get to experiment with.

And who knows, this fun night hobby could turn into a side huslte too. It’s definitely the most lucrative nighttime activity on this list.

11. Watch A Netflix Show

Netflix and nights go hand in hand. You can try watching a show from the platform during the day, but it doesn’t come close to the cozy energy that nighttime binging brings.

On a night when you’re in the mood to stay in bed and get lost in another world, pick up a Netflix show and binge-watch a full season.

The best thing about a Netflix show is that they’re short (mostly 10 episodes per season).

So watching them doesn’t feel unhealthy or like a long-term commitment.

Here are some suggestions straight from my Netflix watched list:

Never Have I Ever (comedy, teen-drama, awesome character development)\
Atypical (heartwarming family show)
Stranger Things (duh)
Wednesday (currently watching)

12. Knit Or Crochet

If you ever wanted to be able to make your own scarves, sweaters, bags, and gloves, then knitting or crocheting would be awesome hobbies to work on during nights.

I’d suggest starting with crochet because it’s easier. You can find tutorials for it online; they make it quite easy to learn.

I love how calming the whole experience is. I swear my patience has tripled ever since I started crocheting myself. I am no expert yet but it’s getting easier.

Try it before you rule it out. I promise once you get past the first three hours, it’s super fun and engaging.

What you’ll need: Crochet Kit For Beginners

13. Catch A Late-Night Movie At The Cinema

Whether you’re a cinephile or not, it’s always nice to step into a theatre once in a while to watch a new release.

But have you ever booked a late-night show?

I watched Oppenheimer at 1 am at the theatre and it made the whole experience really special.

Find out what movies they’re showing this weekend at your nearest cinema and if you find something that interests you, then go watch with a friend or by yourself.

Don’t miss: 13 Unique Joyful Activities That Are Oh-So-Unique

14. Learn Something

Since nights are quieter, it’s easier to channel your focus toward learning something.

Maybe there’s a skill you want to be working on, or a class that you have to study for.

You can take online courses on topics that interests you or just to exand your knowledge in your career.

There are free and paid options available on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare.

If you’d rather keep it chill, then watch educational documentaries or YouTube videos. Or read a non-fiction book and learn something about life.

I’ve been taking Turkish lessons on Duolingo at night. Getting better and mutluyum (I am happy)!

15. Write In A Journal

I know journaling is something you should do before bed, but it’s also a great way to sort out your 2am thoughts.

It’s particularly helpful on nights when your mind is running faster than you and you need a way to channel its energy.

I have had so many great ideas and realizations happen on the pages of my journal, and most of them came to me at night (no surprise there).

So, when you need to find some stillness or just get creative with words and art, pick up your journal and explore what’s on your mind.

You never know what great idea might pop out of your head during the late hours of the night.

Bookmark now: 50 Amazing Bedtime Journal Prompts For A Quiet Reflection

Ready To Explore The Nightlife?

From self-care rituals to fun night out, there are many ways to spend your nights besides sleeping.

Yes, it’s important to get a proper night’s rest, and that’s what you should be doing most of the nights.

But it’s also okay to step out of your routine and taste the night flavor of life.

Use these 15 ideas as a springboard to explore your interests and make your nights more vibrant.

And let me know your favorite tips in the comment box. I love it when you share your thoughts on the post.

15 Amazing Things To Do At Night (That Don’t Involve Sleep)