15 Things You Can Do When You’re Feeling Bored
As winter arrives and the pandemic continues, most of us are spending more time at home again. It’s easy to feel discouraged and bored, but there are plenty of things you can do to distract yourself from the present world. Escape into one of these activities, and you’ll easily forget about boredom.
1. Bake something.
I often make the excuse that I don’t have time to bake, but the reality is in 2020 we all have time to bake. There’s nothing more comforting than cookies or bread straight out of the oven! Find some recipes from your childhood, or ask your friends and family for their favorite recipe. Maybe even make a double batch and drop off the extras with your neighbors or a friend.
2. Call a friend.
Honestly sometimes I forget how nice just a simple phone call with a friend can be, and how long they can take especially if your friend is long distance and you don’t get to catch up that often. If you don’t have any plans for the evening, pour yourself a glass of wine and video chat one of your favorite people.
3. Do something creative.
Paint, draw, color, write…the options for creative projects are endless. Choose your favorite medium and get to work! My favorite investment last spring during quarantine was a sketch book, which I have since filled and bought two more. Figure out how you like to create, then get to it. It’s easy to get lost in your own world while you’re painting or sketching.
4. Read a book.
I have never read more books than I have in 2020, it’s actually quite crazy! They are my favorite cure for boredom, especially because they have the magical ability to transport me to a different place and a different time. Something I think we’re all looking for these days.
5. Watch a show or movie.
I think we’re all familiar with this option when we’re bored! It’s more fun when you can watch with a roommate or a family member, I think. Save movie nights for the weekend when you don’t have any major plans, and make it fun. Cook or bake something special, like a good dessert, or make special drinks that go with the theme of the movie or show.
6. Try a new recipe.
Trying new recipes is something that requires a lot of time, so you don’t feel rushed or pressure to make it perfectly. If you’re bored at home, pull out your trusty cookbooks or find a recipe from your Pinterest boards and get to work! Then, next time you’re entertaining or want to cook for your roommates or family, you’ll have a new recipe to wow them with.
7. Take a course online.
There is nothing more stimulating than learning something new. Since the pandemic began, many universities and museums have been offering free online courses. Choose a topic you’re interested in, and get started! I took a Modern Art course offered by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and I really enjoyed feeling like a student again.
8. Organize your room.
This idea falls under “things you should do but don’t always have time for.” Well, if you’re bored then you probably have time for it now! Especially after spending so much time at home, I look forward to doing a little reorganizing. I like to move my wall art around to give my space a fresh feel.
9. Send some mail.
Who doesn’t love snail mail? I love writing notes to friends and sending them off in the mail. Buy some stationary and address some pick-me-ups to friends across the country.
10. Go for a walk or bike ride.
Weather permitting, of course! I have found that movement really gets my creative juices flowing. So if I’m in a rut with work or just losing energy, I like to go for a walk and listen to an inspiring podcast. If I have more time and nothing better to do, I love going for long bike rides to new places around my city.
11. Take an online yoga class.
Another benefit of quarantine was figuring out that I didn’t necessarily need a studio to practice yoga, I could do it right in my room. If you’re bored but also feeling in need of some Zen, then find an online yoga class. There are many free offerings on YouTube, or support a yoga teacher you know by taking an online class through them.
12. Learn a new language.
If you want to exercise your brain a little more, then try learning a new language. When I’m not enrolled in a language course, I find I only really practice when I’m bored. It’s another thing that your mind can escape into, and it is amazing how much you can learn in a short amount of time if you really focus on it.
13. Do a puzzle.
I know puzzles are either something you hate or you love. So if you’re unlike me, then doing a puzzle is a great way to stave off boredom. Throw on your favorite playlist or a movie in the background, and get to work! There are some really luxe puzzles out on the market these days, so find one that inspires you.
14. Take a daytrip.
This is a great way to leave the boundaries of boredom and familiarity behind. Go for a hike a couple hours away, or explore a new town for the day. The options are pretty endless here, and in a year where travel is restricted, it’s nice to explore close to home.
15. Play a sport.
When was the last time you shot some hoops? Or threw the old pigskin around? Sometimes the perfect way to waste time is by exploring your old past times, like sports. Plus, most sports are safe activities to do outdoors during this strange time.
Do you have any other ideas on fighting boredom? Leave your favorite things to do in the comments below!
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