A friend asked me earlier this week, “Any Friday plans?”

“I think I’m just going to kick back and have a night in,” I said with a great sigh of relief. 

And if you’re like me, you understand that staying at your house and having a night in is indeed not not doing anything. It’s quite the opposite–but with all the best vibes and emotions attached.

I think a lot of people, when they imagine having a night in, see it as simply sitting on your couch after you clock out at work, stare at the wall, and twiddle your thumbs in utter boredom. Uncertain on what to do next. Uncertain of how you’ll spend the evening exactly. Uncertain on what to do at all. 

And that is how we used to view and participate in our Friday or Saturday nights spent in — filled equal parts boredom and FOMO as the world around us had a good time. When we had our son and nights in became more of a regular occurrence, it became essential to have a night in with greater intention.

We started to really embrace a night in, as we all need them from time to time to ground ourselves and get quality rest. Even the most social extrovert needs to retreat for a moment of intentional aloneness from time-to-time.

I believe some of the best rest you can get is while you’re awake when you actually allow yourself to relax. Your shoulders drop, your jaw unclenches, and the night is yours to do absolutely nothing with. 

At this point in our lives, we feel we have some solid tips to share with you on how to maximize and master your night in.

You first need to decompress by partaking in the best bath/shower spa ritual. You should curate something that you do only for these intentional nights in, so it feels especially, well, special! Something like an iconic Lush bath bomb, a spa playlist, a face mask, a candle, that fancy bubble bath gel that you’ve not had the time to use yet; whatever it may be, make it luxe and relaxing! 

Once you’ve concluded your spa ritual to get all clean and relaxed, put on your most comfortable set of pajamas, your robe, or cozy comfy clothes that signal relaxation time and make you feel like your best self.

And this is perhaps my favorite part: snacks and beverages. Pick out your favorite snacks and beverages that completely amplify the evening. There is nothing better than plopping on your couch after a ridiculously long everything shower, popping open your favorite chips, and pouring a glass of your favorite wine, soda, or drink du jour. There’s just something about it. Oh! And the occasional pizza delivery never hurts!

Last but not least, decide what you form of entertainment is going to be for the evening! Are you going to start a new book you’ve been excited to read? Or finally watch that 3 hour movie that you’ve not been ready to commit to yet? Perhaps you’ll retreat to a classic 90s romcom that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Whatever it is you decide to do–embrace it, enjoy it, and have a blast! 

Once you get this down pat, you will no longer feel that tinge of discomfort saying, “I’m staying in tonight,” you will be so excited and thrilled about your night that you’ll scream it loud and proud from the rooftops! 

So run yourself a bath, slip on your pj’s, and kick your feet up and enjoy your night in!