What Do You Do at Night before Bed?

Cunning Linguist on 25/07/2023 - 11:24

What do you do at night before bed?

Looking for a relaxing hobby to fill in the nights and thought I'd throw it out here for some more ideas. Looking for something that…

• Isn't too noisy - kid will be sleeping
• Cost sustainable - Lego is amazing but I'll go broke building something new that is fun/challenging every week
• Non/computer or screen related - between work and recent post grad studies I have spent way too much time in front of a screen already.
• Non-academic - considered learning a language but I really can't handle anything studious or requiring a lot of reading for a while
• Relaxing / low energy - nothing that is going to get me so amped up before bed I can't sleep.
• Bonus if I can enjoy a dram or two while partaking

The sort of things I'm considering trying…
• Model building
• Figurine painting
• Building a ship in a bottle
• Knitting (wife knits)
• Painting
• Carving

For some context I've just finished high level post grad studies, so for a few years been working the standard ~40 hour week + 25-30 hours of study. Usual routine after putting the kid to bed was to hit the books and assignments. While a month of lazy streaming and gaming has been fun, I feel like it's going rot my brain inside out if that's all I do every night.

Entertainment

Comments

  • soan papdi on 25/07/2023 - 11:27
    +82

    The second best option is to play a board game with the wife. There are several excellent 2 player games out there. The first one is what your username suggests.

    • Cunning Linguist on 25/07/2023 - 11:38
      +53

      not a bad idea - and the wife could still knit!

      • payless69 on 28/07/2023 - 07:07
        +1

        Why not practise your NEW language skills?

    • ninnypoop on 28/07/2023 - 07:23
      +1

      Please share your 2 player recommendations

      • soan papdi on 28/07/2023 - 07:32
        +3

        My favourites are Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne, both are 2-4 players but work very well with 2 players. Others are Jaipur, Sushi Go, Hive, Rummikub, Quirkle. If you want start cheap, there's Monopoly Deal (card game) which is much more entertaining than the board game version and is very quick (10-15 mins per game). More involved/longer games are like Agricola: All creatures big and small or Memoir '44. www.boardgamegeek.com has all the information you need. If you're not sure how to pick, start with the Euro or Japanese board game award winners/shortlist, they're normally good.

        • ninnypoop on 29/07/2023 - 10:53

          Thanks. I've been hanging to play ticket to ride. Might be my next purchase.

          Good tip, re. the Euro and Jap charts.

      • Dominus on 28/07/2023 - 18:46

        Pandemic Legacy - absolutely phenomenal co-op campaign experience. Go into it cold (don't read reviews etc) and thank me later, you'll have an absolute blast! Think of it as a $100, 12-15 game experience rather than something you'll keep in your collection forever; in boardgame parlance Legacy means you'll be tearing up cards, writing on the board, making permanent decisions etc. That's half the fun, just lean into it!

        • ninnypoop on 29/07/2023 - 10:54

          We have the standard pandemic game and never really got into it. Might need to give it another shot.

          I've heard many good things about the legacy game. I'm hesitate to buy it though since we didn't embrace the standard game

    • redfox1200 on 28/07/2023 - 09:39
      +5

      i cant like this comment because its at 69

      • stampella on 28/07/2023 - 09:54

        Wonder how long has it been sitting at 69.
        It deserves more upvotes, but can't really be spoiled as it is.

      • soan papdi on 28/07/2023 - 10:13

        What about 96?

  • muckingfuppet on 25/07/2023 - 11:29
    +20

    Learn to solder and try and make some kind of functional electronic?
    I recently bought a raspberry pi, and it was fun learning how to automate things, or program it to do certain things. You could incorporate that into your electronics project?

    • Cunning Linguist on 25/07/2023 - 11:39
      +1

      Thanks I really like this idea - how does one get started with this, can you suggest any resources for beginner projects?

      • AdrianW on 25/07/2023 - 11:49
        +8

        A cheaper and possibly much easier alternative to Raspberry Pi is Arduino - these kits are a pretty good introduction.

        But, it does mean screen time - simple coding on a PC is required.

        Here's a bunch of youtube tutorials.

      • muckingfuppet on 25/07/2023 - 13:48
        +3

        I agree with the posts below.
        Maybe start with a little soldering kit. Simple circuits with lights and get to the point where you can consistently solder and desolder reliably, then get a kit with a bit more complicated things on it.

        The only problem I had when I was doing this was that I didn't have a dedicated space that was out of reach of the kids, so unpacking and packing was a bit tiresome.

        • Chandler on 25/07/2023 - 21:57

          Whilst I agree with learning to solder, if you find you're having to solder/desolder a lot, perhaps invest in a breadboard for your prototyping…?

        • Dreamcast on 26/07/2023 - 06:40

          Any recommended learning kits that include a soldering iron and small project /s?

    • Broke-Ken on 25/07/2023 - 13:30
      +6

      Damn, you just unlocked fond memories of my youth, going to get soldering kits from Tandy and Dicksmith, and making all sorts of things.

      I guess now it's a bit more sophisticated with things like rasberry pi and Arduino.

      OP, I would suggest going to Jaycar to get some kits, here is an example of a basic one. just looked at it and under downloads, there is a pdf download of a full magazine which has all the details for beginners

      • snapper on 26/07/2023 - 23:59
        +4

        I'd also recommend doing one of the Jaycar "learn to solder" courses. They cost about $50, provide you with a kit/all you need, and you get guidance from someone who knows what they are doing. Pretty good value

    • jerjergege on 26/07/2023 - 11:11

      I recently did a XY Pen Plotter & Finished loading Octoprint with OctoDash for my 3D printer!

    • drfuzzy on 26/07/2023 - 19:41

      I can think of some electronics that can be incorporated into the first best idea.
      The raspberry pi could be replaced with a heavy duty motor.

    • skillet on 27/07/2023 - 21:43

      That will increase screen time. Soldering is just a very small part, most time will be spent programming.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/07/2023 - 11:31
    +3

    Cost sustainable

    Could go lepin if lego is your thing but want to keep it budget friendly (though some of the higher end complex sets are actually still RELATIVELY exxy such as the death star one)

    • nigel deborah on 26/07/2023 - 15:21

      If you plan to sell your kits after building and displaying a while, Lego can work out to be cheaper as they sell very quickly and at a minimal loss (even assembled)

  • stickingly on 25/07/2023 - 11:32
    +10

    Learn to play a musical instrument (electric guitar or keyboard so not much noise)

    • Hangryuman on 26/07/2023 - 19:15

      in our block of high-density units with neighbours above, below and either side, I play a nylon-stringed classic acoustic guitar every day and when I've asked neighbours if it has disturbed them, they said they'd never heard it.

      OTOH another neighbour insisted on strumming his steel string acoustic at all hours resulting in serious complaints from his neighbours on either side, and eventually got an order to shut it down

      finger picking a nylon string guitar is I imagine a level of quiet below strumming a steel stringed with a pick.

  • djsweet on 25/07/2023 - 11:34
    +7

    Read classical literature. It is enjoyable. It will increase your reading comprehension and written and spoken communication. When your kid is older you will be better placed to read to them, and you have insight into what types of text you would like to read to them. It also helps you learn to read and understand quickly which is massively useful in the professional world.

    • Cunning Linguist on 25/07/2023 - 11:42
      +8

      Something I'll consider a bit later on. I have just finished my masters and need a good break from heavy reading for a while.

      • whatwasherproblem on 25/07/2023 - 13:04
        +7

        What about light reading? Stuff like novels and more recent ("junk food") literature, that sort of thing. Nothing as intense as a textbook or an academic paper where you're actively concentrating and grappling with ideas, and perhaps nothing as 'intense' as some of the more prose-heavy classic literature either.

        • Munki on 25/07/2023 - 16:33
          +8

          Yeah like anything by Matthew Reilly. They read so easy. It's like reading a Tom Cruise movie.

          • ram4ram on 26/07/2023 - 21:50

            @Munki: Those are the best kind of books… 'read so easy'

            I don't understand people who read daunting books… I've tried to kill a mockingbird… meditations… yes, apparently very good books, but omg can't get over the past few pages.

          • Zazer on 11/08/2023 - 00:00

            @Munki: Any similar authors you’ve found?

      • try2bhelpful on 25/07/2023 - 15:54
        +9

        If you haven’t read Terry Pratchett I would recommend his books.

        • Southoz on 26/07/2023 - 07:41
          +2

          I have read the Discworld series muliple times

          I am currently re-reading Small Gods

          • try2bhelpful on 26/07/2023 - 07:47
            +1

            @Southoz: Have you seen the Good Omens TV series? They are about to release a second series done by Gaimon. Apparently he and Terry were discussing a second book before Terry got sick.

            • Southoz on 26/07/2023 - 08:20

              @try2bhelpful: Yes the wife the son and I have all read the book and watched the TV series and enjoyed it

          • Sleeqb7 on 26/07/2023 - 10:16

            @Southoz: My problem with Discworld is where to start.

            I've had a friend hand me a copy of Mort and I read and enjoyed it, but looking at the catalogue of Discworld novels is pretty daunting.

            • try2bhelpful on 26/07/2023 - 10:29

              @Sleeqb7: Ahhh. There are websites for that.

              The answer to this is “depends”. There are various streams of books and then some books interact with the other streams.

              My suggestion is do some Googling and look at the recommendations.

              Colour of Magic and Light Fantastic are really one book and the beginning of it all.

              If people want to start with a standalone book they could read Good Omens to get a taste of Terry before going down the rabbit hole of Discworld. If you have a child I would get them Nation. It is a great book.

            • Southoz on 26/07/2023 - 19:33
              +3

              @Sleeqb7: This is what I seen before I enter our kitchen

              https://i.imgur.com/nhNOAbY.jpg

              • try2bhelpful on 26/07/2023 - 19:36
                +2

                @Southoz: You wan. Mine are just on a bookshelf and in my bedroom. I like to reread them to settle down to sleep. Terry died way too young. We should’ve got at least another ten books out of him.

      • Bdawg on 25/07/2023 - 16:48
        +1

        Law degree ruined reading for me, I can't do it anymore for recreation.

        • try2bhelpful on 25/07/2023 - 19:39
          +3

          You need to look at reading as a treat rather than a punishment.

      • skittlebrau on 25/07/2023 - 23:43
        +1

        Listening to an audiobook might be a good substitute.

      • Hangryuman on 26/07/2023 - 19:17
        +1

        TV watching is a popular form of meditation for winding down from a hard day of mental activity

        a friend of mine habitually uses it to fall asleep - ideal conditions for sleep apparently include relative comfort, boredom, and a droning background noise.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2023 - 11:44
    +3

    Sudoku

    I got the same book for my husband as well as we're both competitive

  • Xistn on 25/07/2023 - 11:48
    +1

    Warhammer.. con is the cost though.

    • whatwasherproblem on 25/07/2023 - 12:53
      +14

      I heard they call it "Warhammer 40k" because that's the average amount of money that you'll end up spending.

      • Chandler on 25/07/2023 - 21:57
        +1

        That's why Xistn suggested Warhammer rather than it's future grimdark brother :P

    • Bdawg on 25/07/2023 - 16:48

      Maybe you could 3d print your own stuff or buy counterfeit stuff from the dark webzzz.

  • CrowReally on 25/07/2023 - 11:56
    +3

    Turn it around and ask yourself what you want to be good at. If the concept of sculpture as an art form doesn't interest you, it seems folly to mindfully practice sculpture (and then toss the finished product when you are done, etc), even if the sculpture part was relaxing.

    If your kid is at the age where they enjoy soft toys and puppets etc, you could learn sewing fabricwork and make your own etc etc.

    Maybe watch some YouTube videos and see if anything sparks the "oh THAT's cool" part of you. Drawing contour maps, making crosswords, learning card tricks, who knows?

  • Drakesy on 25/07/2023 - 12:02
    +47

    Wrestle the missus

    Though it only really keeps us busy for 30 seconds or so on a good day.
    Usually followed by "you're such a disappointment".

    • Munki on 25/07/2023 - 16:34
      +23

      Look at Mr Marathon over here with 30 seconds. Sheesh!

      • bobbified on 25/07/2023 - 23:48
        +2

        That's including the cigarette after! 😋

  • cheatGPT on 25/07/2023 - 12:04
    +6

    Bang good

    • blurn on 29/07/2023 - 07:54

      Someone already suggested it in the comment above

  • Godric on 25/07/2023 - 12:15

    Slay Demons at the moment

  • nk7 on 25/07/2023 - 12:25
    +4

    Audiobooks, don't need to look at a screen, can listen with the lights turned off and sleep timer on so you can go straight to sleep. Takes no effort if you are exhausted as its read for you. Some of the books are quite long and will take you over a month to get through depending how much you listen to them.

  • Unorthodox on 25/07/2023 - 12:26
    +9

    Shower, brush teeth, pack bag and check calendar/schedule and the weather for the next day.

    If there's an important/more formal attire required, I'll usually have that ready as well.

    I usually have an early wake up so I'm already looking forward to resting by the time it's bed time.

    • FutureTech on 26/07/2023 - 09:16
      +2

      Why are you downvoted I don't know.

  • ForkSnorter on 25/07/2023 - 12:32
    +21

    Nothing will ever beat reading. There is an endless supply of worlds and characters and information to explore.

  • bdl on 25/07/2023 - 12:41
    +8

    Home Assistant Automation Tweaking - the gift that keeps on giving

      • Fuzzy Toaster on 26/07/2023 - 08:51
        +1

        I feel seen.

      • samfisher5986 on 26/07/2023 - 12:04
        +1

        The worst thing about home auto is it can all work perfectly one day, and then fall apart the next day, all because you are at the mercy of Google Assistant understanding what you want, which it does… until they tweak it.

        • SolitaryMan on 26/07/2023 - 14:58

          If it helps you feel any better, it’s the same with Apple Homekit.

          • stampella on 28/07/2023 - 10:02
            +1

            @SolitaryMan: Go down the home assistant rabbit hole and you will be able to blame mostly yourself for most malfunctions.
            Granted, there is still the chance for things to go wrong on upgrades…but when I switched to HA I stopped saying "Alexa must have been put together by a bunch of idiots" to "I am the idiot!".

  • SnowDragon on 25/07/2023 - 12:48
    +4

    Order some paint-by-number kits, put on an audiobook or podcast and the time will fly by.

  • mrdean on 25/07/2023 - 13:03
    +2

    Match the rhythms of night & day, unwind & prepare for sleep as the sun goes down, rise before sunrise.

    If you must do an activity, a hand written journal of the days doings & thoughts, your child or children might be very much interested in them at a later date.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2023 - 23:07
      +3

      I tried journaling and I cannot see how it is conducive to unwind for sleep at all.

  • vince088 on 25/07/2023 - 13:05
    +1

    tiktok before bed

    • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2023 - 13:52
      +4

      An influencer's work is never done

  • jv on 25/07/2023 - 13:05
    -2

    Tightrope walking

    • payless69 on 25/07/2023 - 14:10
      +2

      username failure: ended up having a kid! No more risks taken!

  • Muzeeb on 25/07/2023 - 13:10
    +2

    Learn electric guitar.

    Headphones will keep it quiet for the household. Great sense of achievement. Requires consistency and effort. You don't need to be able to read music. Great free online lessons and learning plans on YouTube (I recommend Justin guitar). Can pickup up quality mid-range Yamaha guitar and headphones for less than $500.

    • Ozjoey on 28/07/2023 - 10:03

      Air guitar before bedtime?

      • Muzeeb on 28/07/2023 - 10:14
        +1

        Only if Mrs Muzeeb doesn't want to play.

  • zanzir on 25/07/2023 - 13:35
    +22

    I cry myself to sleep

    • Breno785au on 25/07/2023 - 17:15
      +6

      If you need help, don't be afraid to ask.

      • dwarves on 25/07/2023 - 21:11
        +13

        He doesn’t need help with it, he’s already very good at crying.

  • Sal in SA on 25/07/2023 - 13:49

    Decent tube amp and record player - pair planner headphones and start collecting and listening to quality vinyl, dark room - close eyes and just soak up the soundstage each night.

  • Boioioioi on 25/07/2023 - 13:50
    +4

    I like to work out then read. Also regarding lego, take apart your existing sets and get creative making your own creations maybe? When I was a kid we were pretty poor so I only get a new lego set rarely. But I spent days and days making my own creations with what I had

    • rooboy316 on 25/07/2023 - 14:16
      +6

      I print off stuff from here so the kid can make other things with existing sets:

      https://rebrickable.com/

      • Boioioioi on 26/07/2023 - 12:54

        Thats awesome, thanks for sharing! some of those are amazing

    • IM-Cheap on 26/07/2023 - 12:23
      +1

      I spent~$500 for bulk 2nd hand Lego. Lego has an app with instructions for its kits and with the sheer volume of pieces I can build just about anything even though it may not be the right colour all over.

      • Boioioioi on 26/07/2023 - 12:54

        Thats great, did you organise it at all?

        • IM-Cheap on 27/07/2023 - 10:53

          Kind of - we have drawers organized by colour and seperated between common and uncommon shapes and seperate drawers for technic bits. Abit of a hunt through uncommon parts but thats part of the fun.

          • Boioioioi on 27/07/2023 - 11:01

            @IM-Cheap: Yes can imagine. I remember as a kid I'd dump all my lego into a box or a pile and dig through it for the part I wanted. But I knew the parts I had yknow, like an inventory in my mind. How do you do it when you bought the parts in bulk?

            • IM-Cheap on 27/07/2023 - 12:50

              @Boioioioi: With several evenings of sorting in front of TV after dinner :D

              I have a fair idea what I have and unusual parts are most interesting as you can check on bricklink what sets it could be used for.

    • beyonddd on 26/07/2023 - 10:29

      Come on now, he said cost sustainable.. I think I spend like $600 a month on model kits between Gundam and Zoids.

      • brendanm on 26/07/2023 - 13:47
        +2

        You save money by not having a girlfriend though.

        • beyonddd on 26/07/2023 - 14:19
          +2

          I get away by having a high expense hobby because my wife has a horse and I could never in a million years ever comprehend the amount of money spent on that animal.

          • Minimum chips on 26/07/2023 - 16:43
            +6

            @beyonddd: On the plus side, if it ever gets sick you can turn it into glue for your models.

      • Nalar on 27/07/2023 - 16:18

        After costs of nippers and some tools, and some decent deals on a kits + water slides I think you can sink a lot of nights into getting a kit looking nice.

        I'm working on RG Hi-Nu which was $55 on amazon last week. plus I got $10 waterslides for it. I've sunk an hour a night for the last 3 weeks, easily 20 hours to get it all done. Put some relaxing music on the headphones and the hour+ justs disappears. Add custom painting which again has a startup cost but could take another few hours.

  • altomic on 25/07/2023 - 13:56
    +1

    Collect roadside junk electronics and learn to DIY/diagnosing/trouble shooting/repair skills.

    • EightImmortals on 25/07/2023 - 14:31
      +6

      Crikey you must live a rich neighbourhood. All I ever find is empty XXXX bottles and Mc Donalds wrappers!

      "Oh look dear, another iphone in amongst the empty grange bottles and foie gras packets. Oh never mind it's only last years model." :)

      Otherwise good idea, reminds me of the 70's when we were able to scrounge the local tips as kids and find some really cool stuff including reel-to-reel tape machines and valve amps and various other gear. Kept me in music all through to the 80's but at some point the fun police put an end to all that.

      • altomic on 26/07/2023 - 00:04

        nah, very average neighbourhood but i'm always paying attention to nature strips for discarded crap.

        e.g. drove past a ~50" TV on the way to work this morning. working? don't know. as long as the panel is not smashed then it's salvageable. whether backlight is dead, or a circuit board.

        • luffyex2010 on 26/07/2023 - 14:22

          Don't do that….. Its a waste of your time. Go on gumtree and go to the freebies ad. You can really get free fully working electronics instead of letting it go to the wasteland.

          If anybody wants to help a family who is single parent or very poor please have a look at the site. It has many usable furniture and electronics.

          Let's not buy more junk to add to the land fill.

          • soaringphoenix on 27/07/2023 - 18:01
            +1

            @luffyex2010: Yeah, but he specifically explained that the enjoyment for him is in the DIY diagnosing and repair. It's therefore not a waste of time, and actually seeking out the functional used equipment on gumtree could be better argued as a waste of his time if the experience value is considerably less.

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