I Tried the 'Save the Day' TikTok Trend for One Week—and It Made My Days Less Chaotic

It literally saved my day.

My weekdays can feel like a complete blur. By the time I’ve finished all those things we do to keep ourselves alive (work! make dinner! clean up!), it’s time for bed, and I feel like I haven’t really done anything.

TikTok creator and life coach Trina felt similarly, as she explained in a video . Trina dealt with that feeling by starting a habit she calls “saving the day.” Whenever she has a busy or stressful day at work, she takes time to do one thing just for herself. “It brings the intention back to your day,” Trina explains in the video. And it doesn’t have to be some huge thing, like booking a massage (although that sounds amazing!). Saving the day could be going for a walk, making some tea, or reading a book.

What Happened When I Tried "Saving the Day"

Because I’m so busy at work, I decided to try saving my weekdays, which is when I have the least amount of time for myself. And since my work day is particularly hectic, I wanted to take a break from my 9 to 5. I normally work the entire day without leaving my office—I even eat at my desk—so I never get any fresh air or sunlight except for a few minutes in the morning and evening during my commute.

Related: 12 Unexpected Health Benefits of Walking and How to Make a Habit of It

I work from home on Mondays, so this past Monday, I found a quick 10 minutes before a meeting and went outside for a short walk. Although brief, it was nice to leave my apartment and actually see other people, which I don’t always do on my work-from-home days. For the next three days, I went to my office, which is located near a running and walking path overlooking the Hudson River. So, I thought there was no better way to "save the day" than by enjoying a stroll along the water.

After lunch, I forced myself to take a 15-minute walk outside. At first, I found myself trying to check my phone for emails, but that seemed at odds with the purpose of the challenge! So I made it my goal to keep my phone in my pocket the entire time and just be present. It felt nice to feel the sun on my skin and give my eyes a break from a screen. I saw people walking their dogs, jogging along the path, and having a leisurely, unrushed day.

Related: 12 Everyday Habits to Train Your Brain to Be Happier

Unfortunately, I didn’t complete the last day of my challenge. I worked from home on Friday and was completely in the zone from the time that I started working until the end of the day. Lesson learned: set a calendar reminder to take a break! I wouldn’t say those walks completely transformed my day, but taking some time out from work did provide a nice little break. And I really did feel like I was doing something small for myself.

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