Is there anything worse than answering emails? Probably not, except for maybe scheduling a dentist appointment or canceling subscriptions to services you forgot you had. It’s boring, it’s tedious, and sometimes it even causes a surge of anxiety to bubble up, especially if you have to make a phone call.
To deal with it all, many people are hosting “admin nights” as a way to accomplish these tasks, while also making them even a little bit enjoyable. TikTok creator @maddyagers described the trend as a get-together with friends where you wear sweatpants, drink wine, and deal with all of the administrative tasks that have been “clouding your brain and mental energy.” The Wall Street Journal described these nights as a “tiny, nerdy resistance” against the “bureaucratic grind” of life.
Instead of going out for drinks (pricy) or dancing in the club (tiring), you gather at a friend’s kitchen table with laptops and phones and get it all done. In her comments, someone said, “Me bringing three unpaid parking tickets to the function.” Another wrote, “I paid four bills while sitting on my friend’s couch this weekend!”
While the idea is taking off, not everyone on TikTok is a fan. Some said the idea seemed bleak, while others insisted you should only do this type of chore while on the clock. The rest thought it was genius. “This is literally the thing I miss most about college,” one commenter said. “Just sitting in the hallway or library working on stuff while hanging out with people.” Another wrote, “Parallel play is so underrated.” Here’s what to know.
Why You Need An “Admin Night”
Tedious life tasks, like updating your address or scheduling a checkup, are so easy to put off. According to Lisa Chen, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy, it’s because they can trigger low-grade anxiety and stress. And if you’re busy or tired, it’s even easier let these things slip through the cracks.
Instead of attempting to do your admin at home, where you can simply go back to watching Netflix, an admin night surrounds you with friends who will stare you down until you do what you need to do. It’s essentially a form of body doubling, which is where you work near someone and feel more inspired to stay focused as a result. It’s a simple way to ease anxiety and increase motivation, Chen says.
Another perk, according to creator @securethebagbrooke, is that you get to work together on those tougher to-dos. Not sure how to add a beneficiary to your insurance account? Can’t find a dentist in your network? Your BFFs are there to figure it out — and make you laugh when you get frustrated. “As a group, you hammer it all out together and do it like it’s a party,” she said in a Nov. 16 clip. “Get your friends together and handle business. No more doing it yourself! We are doing it together.”
Admin nights are also supposed to be enjoyed. Sure, they might not be as thrilling as a night on the town, but with the right group of friends, some wine, and pizza, you will have a good time — all while checking things off your list.
“I have to throw one of these parties now because look, I hate dealing with red tape,” @securethebagbrooke went on to say. “But I could manage if there were snacks and friends involved.” According to @maddyagers, these hangouts are also a sneaky way to stick to a budget. If going out for dinner or drinks is too pricy for you at the time, it makes sense to look for ways to see your besties for free.
How To Throw An Admin Night
Want to check things off your to-do list and have a gossip sesh? Host an admin night. Chen recommends telling your friends to come prepared with a few chores they’d like to complete, or even just one tedious task that’s been haunting their dreams. It works with one friend or 10. Invite anyone who feels burdened by bureaucracy.
Need some ideas? Clean out your inbox, cancel subscriptions to streaming services, unsubscribe from email ads, make a doctor’s appointment, schedule a yearly exam, get a haircut on the books, update old passwords, check your retirement account, fill out paperwork, renew your registration — you get the idea.
To set the stage for success, rummage through your cabinets and put out a few snacks, just like you would if your friend stopped by last-minute. No need to get fancy or go to the store. Some chips in a bowl or a plate of fruit is perfect.
On TikTok, @nicolecappetta said she and her husband even have admin date nights where they light candles, make fancy ramen, and then pay bills and organize their lives together. During their admin nights, they also coordinate their calendars, which is something you can do with friends, too.
While you can make it all about buckling down until your worst tasks are done, Chen says admin nights often work best when you keep them light. “Make it more about getting together,” she says. “Define a start and end time, too.” That way, you know you only have to focus for an hour or two before you get to relax, which feels doable.
The idea might seem bleak at first, but admin nights make so much sense, especially for people who live alone. As @maddyagers said in her TikTok, “The wild part is you leave lighter, you save money, and you didn’t even have to spend a bunch to get time in with your friends.”
