One of my favourite things about this time of year is when the clocks go back! Here in the UK they go back on Sunday! I know, I know, the clocks going back also means the evenings suddenly become dark really early but there is a little bonus that comes with it and that is the extra hour! Instead of wasting it this year, I thought I'd put together 20 things you could do with that extra hour. Some are useful, some are things I've been meaning to do for ages and some are just excuses to sit down and do very little.
Have a proper lie in!
This is the most obvious one and the one that most people are probably going to choose anyway. Sleep! There is nothing wrong with using your extra hour to stay in bed. I think this is the best way to spend it and it's probably what I am going to do! If you've had a busy week, getting an extra hour in bed is such a treat. Turn the alarm off, stay under the duvet and don't feel guilty!!
Have a proper breakfast!
Breakfast can be a rush during the week just grabbing something while you are on the go. This Sunday, why don't you take the hour to sit down and have a proper breakfast? Make pancakes, have bacon and eggs or just make something you don't normally have time for. I would love a full English breakfast!
Do some baking!
I have always thought an extra hour is a good excuse for baking. You don't have to make anything fancy either. A cake, some brownies, cookies or a banana loaf would be perfect! There's also the added bonus of getting something nice to eat at the end of it which is probably the main reason I like baking.
Watch a film you've been meaning to watch!
I have so many films on my list that I've been saying I will get around to eventually but I never get around to them. I could make use of the hour to start watching one. I know most films last more than an hour. Get some snacks and settle down on the sofa. I always find the hardest part is choosing what to watch. I could probably spend an hour trying to decide on something and then end up watching a film I've already seen about ten times!
Have a long bath!
There's a difference between having a bath because you need a wash and having a bath because you actually want to relax. I'm talking about the second one. Run the bath, put in your favourite bubble bath, get your phone somewhere you can't accidentally drop it in the water and just stay there for a while.
Do that job you've been ignoring!
We all have those jobs that we've been putting off, ones that we keep walking past and ignoring! A cupboard or drawer that needs sorting, a pile of paperwork that needs putting away or shredding or the clothes that have somehow ended up on a chair instead of in the wardrobe. Use the extra hour to pick one job and go and get it done.
Look through old photographs!
I love looking through old photos, especially ones I haven't seen for ages. You could spend your extra hour going through old albums, sorting out photos or even getting around to printing some out. Nowadays we take hundreds of photos and never look at them again. You might come across some that you've forgotten about.
Make a playlist!
Spend an hour making a playlist full of your favourite songs, one for autumn, one for cleaning the house, one for driving or just a playlist of songs that remind you of a special in your life. I might actually do some prepping for Christmas and make a list full of Christmas songs!
Make a proper Sunday dinner!
At this time of year I do love a Sunday dinner! The meat, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables and loads of gravy. There is nothing better! Having an extra hour means you can have most of it cooked without wasting any of the day. You can take your time and actually enjoy making it!
Sort out your wardrobe!
This is one of those jobs that I always mean to do and then don't. When the clocks change, it is a good time to admit that summer is pretty much over and it's time to get the colder weather clothes out.
Start thinking about Christmas!
I know some people don't want to hear the word Christmas yet but once the clocks go back it doesn't feel that far away. You could start making a list of people you need to buy for, think about presents or even have a look at what you might want to add to your Christmas list. I've always found that getting a few things sorted before December makes Christmas feel much easier.
Go for a walk!
If the weather is OK, put your coat on and go for a walk. It doesn't have to be a long one, just get outside, have a wander and get some fresh air.
Phone someone you've not spoken to in ages!
We all have someone we keep saying we need to catch up with. Use that extra hour to actually pick up the phone and give them a call. Have a proper chat instead of sending each other messages saying we need to catch up. Sometimes a good old-fashioned phone call is just what you need.
Get the games out!
Board games, play cards or do a puzzle! It doesn't matter what you choose, the point is to do something fun instead of being productive. If you've got family around, get them involved too.
Tidy up your phone!
This is one of those jobs that I really should do more often. Delete apps you never use and have a look through your photos and delete all the rubbish. Screenshots you don't need, blurry photos, accidental photos and the 15 pictures you took of exactly the same thing because you couldn't decide which one was best.
Cook something you've never tried before!
Instead of making one of your usual meals, maybe find a recipe you've been meaning to try and make it. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, it is Sunday after all but sometimes just trying something different can make an ordinary Sunday feel a bit more exciting!
Have a little pamper session!
Treat yourself! Use the extra hour to give yourself a bit of a pamper. Not just a bath or shower, put a hair or face mask on, do your nails or just moisturise and put on your favourite pyjamas. It's amazing how much better you can feel after taking a bit of time for yourself.
Try something you've never done before!
It could be anything! Painting, drawing, baking, Lego, knitting, journaling, doing a puzzle or learning something new. You've got an extra hour to use so give it a go. You don't have to be good at it but it might become your new hobby.
Catch up on your favourite shows!
You could just make a cup of tea, get yourself comfortable and catch up on a programme you've been watching. If you've missed a few episodes, it's even better because you've got the time to sit down and watch them without feeling like you should be doing something else. I know I always have an episode or three of Eastenders to watch and random other things recorded!
Do absolutely nothing!
This might actually be the most important one on the list. You don't have to do anything with your extra hour. You can sit on the sofa, watch TV, scroll through your phone, have a cup of tea, eat something nice and just enjoy having nowhere you need to be. We're always trying to make better use of our time but sometimes doing nothing important can be good for us!
What will you do with your extra hour?
