Recently I was remarking to a friend that every evening I spend alone in front of Netflix or Amazon Prime feels like Groundhog Day—boring, redundant and uninspiring.

Mornings are not a problem for me at all. I’m a morning person. In fact, the whole day is pretty wonderful, starting with my morning coffee followed by hours of daylight filled with work accomplishments.

But then, right as the sun hits close to the horizon with its glorious warm light—that’s when my malaise starts. That time between sunset and bedtime. Ugh.

Granted, we are back up to 2,600 people dying per day from COVID, while only 75% of Americans have received one dose or more of the vaccine. That does put a damper on my social life, since I have deeply scarred lungs and trouble breathing, compromising my health. It’s not like I’m going to restaurants or going out to see live music.

Yet, I CAN control my mind. And there ARE things I can do even while I protect myself and my friends and family by remaining at home most of the time, and wearing an N95 mask and social distancing when in public spaces, such as indoors at stores. And here in Arizona, we’re not contending with snow or ice, though we are contending with one of the highest rates of COVID in nation, second only to Mississippi.

Next week, I have vowed to BREAK UP the monotony and get out in nature, something that’s easy to do here.

Here are some other ideas for you to try, should you choose to join my quest for twilight inspiration.

1. Go hiking
2. Watch the sunset from a point in nature
3. Get out of town away from light pollution and do some stargazing
4. Read a classic book, or one of the books that Republicans are trying to ban
5. Pick up your guitar and play (yeah, that’s next for me, regardless of feeling uninspired)
6. Sing loudly
7. Dance by yourself
8. Go out in your backyard and stand on the ground barefoot
9. Make the most delicious organic salad ever assembled, and eat only things that are good for you
10. Take a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood

Science says that it takes 21 – 28 days to form a habit—and that long to break one, too. Remember Bill Murray at the end of the movie Groundhog Day and how he transformed himself, helping people and learning new talents and skills. Now THAT is inspiring.