6 Things to Do When You're Bored That Aren't Doomscrolling

Between the end of last year and the beginning of this year, I took a two-week trip to another state. During that time, I made a little deal with myself: I was going to try to do as many fun activities as I could. I put four books in my bag, a few notebooks, and came back two weeks later with a bunch of new stuff in my suitcase and a range of funny stories to tell my friends.

It's customary for my family to travel at least twice a year, but what made this particular trip so special for me? It wasn't hard to figure out: I hardly used my cell phone. I walked along the beach, talked for hours on end, visited an impressive number of tourist attractions, and even befriended the owner of a local bookstore. The moment I put my cell phone away, I allowed myself to enjoy the world around me and, above all, enjoy myself.

So here are some of my favorite activities to do while unplugged.

Do crossword puzzles/cryptograms/sudoku

The feeling of picking up a crossword puzzle booklet brings a funny nostalgia, as if we were the protagonist of a 1960s movie passing the time in a coffee shop: a table on the sidewalk, a hat on your head, an espresso in front of you, staring at the crossword puzzle as if it were the answer to everything in life.

In addition to being a fun setting, these “newspaper activities” are a great pastime. They stimulate our memory, distract us, and add a touch of elegance to our character.

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Write a journal

For many people, the idea of keeping a journal is a laborious task, writing every day about everything. But the truth is, it's not quite like that. A diary is much more than just a notebook; it's our confidant.

Anyone who has kept a diary for some time knows how much fun it is to read old entries and think about how things have changed. Because it is above all an exercise in self-knowledge, writing about our feelings helps us understand them better.

And want a secret? You don't have to write everything every day; there's no rule for that. One day you can talk about a movie you watched, or a fight that happened, maybe a snippet of a song, or simply leave a page blank. A diary is a space free of expectations; it's a sanctuary for the self.

Return to an old hobby

Sometimes we look back at the past and feel that we used to be so much more creative. Our colorful childhood and pre-teen years were full of activities. What did we lose along the way?

In elementary school, I used to draw fashion sketches. They weren't always good, but I had so much fun! As the years went by, time became shorter and we always felt that pressure to abandon any activity that wasn't “useful.”

When I started drawing again, I felt like the prodigal son returning home. It was wonderful. We can afford to be bad at things, we can have a hobby just because we like it and not because it will give us something in return.

The truth is that things never change that much, all we need is a little willpower to return to the roots of what makes us happy.

Go Bird Watching

Everyday life is so busy that it's rare that we really stop to look at our surroundings. We can listen to the same song every day on the way to school and not even pay attention to the lyrics. It seems that nowadays everyone lives in battery-saving mode.

Looking around has become an act of rebellion, imagine looking at birds? That's a complete revolution.

Buy an old guidebook at a used bookstore, get some binoculars, and spend a day in the park. A bottle of water, a hat, and a notebook. How invigorating! Just observing, a real luxury.

Have a themed movie night with your friends/family

Any excuse is good enough for me and my best friend to binge-watch some movies. Is it Friday the 13th? Slashers.

Are you sick? A Studio Ghibli movie to cheer you up. Just any Wednesday? Let's watch a romantic comedy. The real occasion is being able to enjoy the company of the people we love.

A themed movie night is a creative way to spice up the classic marathon. First, choose a theme, such as nostalgia, cliché romances, nerdy stuff, or even specific movies like Twilight or Scooby-Doo. Then choose your menu, some snacks that match the energy of the movie you're going to watch. You can stop there or go further: establish a dress code (maybe dress up as the characters?), fun decorations with things you have at home (why not watch a movie inside a pillow fort?), or even a funny rule for everyone to follow (how about marathoning Jane Austen movies while speaking like a Regency lady?).

What matters is enjoying the company of your loved ones and having as much fun as possible.

Learn how to play a random board game

Board games are wonderful, and the coolest thing is that there are countless varieties. There are games for competitive players, history buffs, mystery lovers, fantasy fans, and even those who just want something cozy to take away the boredom of a cold night.

I love a good Chinese historical series, and the game that appears most often in them is Go. Will the protagonist and the villain have a sharp, strategy-filled dialogue? They'll be playing Go.

Will the Emperor grant any favor his third son asks for? But only if he wins a game of Go. There came a point when I simply had to learn Go. Something that didn't interest me at all a few months earlier became a super fun adventure.

Find a good game to take you out of your status quo and you'll see the magic of a well-played game.

Conclusion

These are just a few activities, but there is an endless list of fun things to do in your free time. The more we explore our paths and hobbies, the more we find pieces of ourselves hidden in places we've never been before.

The truth is that there were a few thousand years before us and our social media, and I guarantee that all those people found something fun to do.

And you know what? Half the fun is the excitement you put into the activity, so put your phone aside, put a smile on your face, and get ready for your next adventure.