Instead of scrolling mindlessly on social media, here are 100 productive and fun things you can do with your time!
I was in ninth grade when I joined FaceBook for the first time, just to see what the hype was all about.
I thought there was no way I’d ever get hooked to the thing like so many of my friends were. But of course, since I am only human, it didn’t take long for me to turn become a social media addict.
I used to spend hours every evening just scrolling the site on my computer.
It affected my studies, my hobbies, and every other activity that used to be a part of my teenage girl life. I was no longer interested in any of that.
It took me a year or two to break free from the scrolling cycle, but break free I did. I had to do it, because I’d realized that I didn’t want half of my day to be spent scrolling.
I never bothered joining Instagram, because I knew there wasn’t much for me to gain there. I’d learnt my lesson, and I wanted to live by it. I am happier because of it.
See, there’s nothing wrong with spending time on social media. I get the importance of having a presence online. There are many good things to be discovered there.
But if you spend any more than thirty minutes every day scrolling, without any real purpose, you’re wasting your time, energy, and potential.
Scrolling may be the hot thing of this age, but it isn’t meant to be a part of your routine life.
It won’t fulfill you, won’t teach you how to live your life, and most importantly, it can’t replace real connection (try as it might).
And somewhere inside, you do acknowledge and realize that, because you have clicked on this post to seek some healthy alternatives to scrolling.
Well, you won’t be disappointed.
But before you read on, pin this post to share the love!
Instead of spending your time scrolling on your screens, here are 100 better things you can do with your time.
100 Things To Do Instead Of Scrolling
1. Go for a walk without a destination in mind.
2. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
3. Clean one small part of your room.
4. Make a snack that takes more than three steps.
5. Read a book (any book).
6. Doodle on paper, even if it’s bad.
7. Play a song you love and really listen to it.
8. Try a five-minute guided meditation.
9. Write a short note to your future self.
10. Stretch your back and neck for five minutes.
11. Organize the photos on your phone.
12. Make your bed like you’re in a hotel.
13. Dance around your room like no one’s watching (because no one is).
14. Drink a big glass of water.
15. Look at the sky. That’s it.
16. Do 20 jumping jacks.
17. Light a candle and chill for a sec.
18. Draw something from memory.
19. Watch a documentary about something random.
20. Journal whatever’s in your head right now.
21. Water your plants, or get one if you don’t have any.
22. Write a list of things that make you feel good.
23. Write a list of things that don’t make you feel good, and think about what to do with them.
24. Listen to a podcast while lying on the floor.
25. Bake cookies, or just eat the dough, lol.
26. Write a to-do list for tomorrow.
27. Google how to say ‘hello’ in 10 languages.
28. Try a 10-minute workout video.
29. Rearrange your furniture a little.
30. Set a timer and deep clean for 10 minutes.
31. Read a poem out loud, even if it’s cringey.
32. Unsubscribe from annoying emails.
33. Look through an old yearbook or album.
34. Try sketching your hand.
35. Watch a movie from your childhood.
36. Make up a weird dance and name it.
37. Write a random haiku.
38. Do a face mask and pretend you’re at a spa.
39. Organize your junk drawer.
40. Listen to an album start to finish with no distractions.
41. Make a mood board with magazine clippings or Pinterest.
42. Try origami using scrap paper.
43. Go outside and count five things you can see, hear, and smell.
44. Learn how to fold a fitted sheet (seriously).
45. Find and follow one small local business you’d love to support.
46. Watch a tutorial for something you’ve always wanted to try.
47. Write a short story based on a dream.
48. Look through an old notebook and laugh at your past self.
49. Make a simple meal from scratch.
50. Set a timer for 20 minutes and just do nothing.
51. Make a list of places you want to visit someday.
52. Text someone a genuine compliment.
53. Learn a magic trick with cards.
54. Write down five small goals for the week.
55. Make a playlist that matches your mood.
56. Make shadow puppets like you used to as a kid.
57. Write a letter to someone you admire. You don’t have to send it.
58. Rearrange your bookshelf by color or vibe.
59. Sit on the floor and stretch like a cat.
60. Paint your nails.
61. Fix one thing you’ve been putting off.
62. Try on clothes you forgot you had.
63. Go outside barefoot if it’s safe.
64. Make a “feel good” folder on your phone or computer.
65. Watch the sunset or sunrise.
66. Draw your favorite animal from memory.
67. Try balancing on one foot for a full minute.
68. Write a fake review for your day.
69. Do something with your hands, like crafting, knitting, carving, folding.
70. Learn a few phrases in sign language.
71. Make a list of things you’re proud of.
72. Try writing with your non-dominant hand.
73. Rearrange the apps on your phone to make them less tempting.
74. Do a puzzle or a brain teaser.
75. Open a random Wikipedia page and learn something weird.
76. Put your phone in another room and walk away from it.
77. Try slow breathing for two minutes.
78. Write a list of rules you actually want to live by.
79. Make up a superhero alter ego.
80. Listen to nature sounds and imagine you’re in a forest.
81. Read a short story or poem online.
82. Watch birds or squirrels from your window.
83. Learn one new keyboard shortcut.
84. Try counting backwards from 100 in sevens.
85. Find something you don’t use and donate it.
86. Record yourself talking about your day like a vlog.
87. Write a bucket list with zero limits.
88. Clean your phone screen and keyboard.
89. Sit somewhere new in your house.
90. Memorize a short quote or poem.
91. Make a paper airplane and see how far it flies.
92. Try planking for 30 seconds.
93. Brush your hair slowly, like a ritual.
94. Look up a recipe you’ve never tried and bookmark it.
95. Rearrange your phone home screen to only show useful stuff.
96. Take a break from being productive on purpose.
97. Pet an animal or look at animal pictures.
98. Take a photo of something beautiful around you.
99. Compliment yourself out loud.
100. Close your eyes, breathe deep, and just be for a moment.
Don’t Let Scrolling Be a Habit
Scrolling and spending time online is fine, as long as it isn’t a habit that takes up all your time.
Do it in control, and if you find yourself going overboard, pick something from this list and do it.
There is so much beauty in the world, in you, and around you. Make time to discover all that beauty, and replace scrolling with it.
You’ll like your life and enjoy it way more than you do right now, believe me.
Read next: How To Do A Digital Detox: 8 Steps For A Screen-Free Time
You just discovered 100 better things to do instead of scrolling! What were your favorite suggestions from the post? Let me know in the comment box before you leave!
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