I have pretty bad self diagnosed ADD, so I end up getting bored easily when I have downtime. There are only so many episodes of Impractical Jokers I can watch in a row before I start to get restless. My mom always told me it was important to have hobbies, but I always struggled with coming up with things to do on my own. And, I’m sorry, but I cannot sit and knit you a sweater. I knit a hat once for a Christmas present, and I bet you the 20 dollars in my checking account that the person I gave it to never wears it because it was a nightmare. Here is my approved list of fun things you can try if you are looking for a hobby to do and are absolutely bored out of your mind.
Adult coloring books are great. It has been scientifically proven that they are great for your emotional, mental, and intellectual health. Why? For one, it’s an alternative to meditation. Because of the intricate designs, your mind is focused on coloring and not your stress and anxieties. It also brings people back to simpler times when you were a child and did not have all the responsibilities you do now which takes you out of your current stresses for awhile. It also engages both the right and left sides of your brain which is important when strengthening new types of thinking. Bored out of your mind? This small investment will both entertain you and help relieve some stress and anxiety.
I heard about bullet journals back in November and was eager to try it out. It can be super helpful in terms of organization. When I was younger and throughout high school, I always kept a journal, but bullet journals are a bit different. Bullet journals are great for to-do lists, tracking habits, setting goals, etc. It is not a surprise that bullet points are the central concept in this type of journaling, and it is a to-do list, a diary, place for doodling, and a planner all in one. You can use any journal you want and get creative! It is really up to you to decide how you decorate and/or use it.
It is not unheard of that reading is important to incorporate into your life not only to learn but to also exercise your brain. The more you read the better your writing is, and it is obviously more productive than watching tv all day. I suggest investing in a Kindle or something similar. Personally, I love mine because I can have multiple books on one device and that is more convenient when I am on the subway or traveling. I just finished The Woman in Cabin 10 (which I highly recommend) and I can tell you that it was more entertaining than watching Chopped for the 50th time.
Yoga is something that may seem daunting at first but is actually really relaxing and doable, even at home. It’s a great way to relieve stress, improve flexibility, and improve health (mentally and physically). Through the use of MRIs, researchers have found that yoga protects your brain from the decline of “gray matter brain volume” which is involved in muscle control and sensory perception. Both affect our memory, senses, decision making, speech, and self-control. Yoga and meditation are great hobbies because of this potential improvement. If you’re bored out of your mind, you could at least do something to benefit your health in the long run.
It’s cheap! If you have an old desk or nightstand that could use a new coat of paint and a new knob or two, this could be the perfect project to beat boredom while also maximizing efficiency and being productive. If you don’t have any furniture that needs revamping but you want to try this DIY, there are lots of places that you can buy or get run down furniture for free. There is no better feeling than knowing you made a tired piece of furniture your own by picking the exact design you want and then executing it.
I am a big fan of being outdoors and an equally big fan of podcasts. Let’s be real, no one is going to sit and stare at a wall while listening to a podcast, no matter how great it is, so why not get some blood flowing. You can find a podcast out there about virtually anything. Walking/Hiking/Running (or any type of exercising) releases endorphins. If you pair that with listening to a great podcast you’ll be ready to paint the town red…lol.
Aside from yielding delicious results, cooking is a great hobby because it can be incredibly cathartic. If you are only able to boil hot water right now, it can be really rewarding to see the progress you can make. You can use old-fashioned cookbooks, or different apps that cater to exactly what type of food you want to cook. If you have a busy week ahead, you can start meal prepping to not only save money but also improve your skills. Why not use this time when you’re bored out of your mind to learn a new skill?
Another great hobby is photography. Many people use their iPhone cameras, but I would recommend investing in a real camera if you have the funds. Digital cameras have a lot more versatility than a phone will ever have. Also, if you have any experience with Adobe Creative Suite or want to learn it, this is a great way to gain or increase experience through a hobby.
I’m going to level with you, I am a huge nerd when it comes to games of any type. If you are bored out of your mind and need to kill time but aren’t able to do a lot of things on this list then you can download some games to kill time. I like games that you can play with your friends, but also games that you can play alone. Right now I love anagram games, Fight List and Fight List 2, Cash Show, Family Feud, HQ, etc. These games can be pretty mindlessly entertaining in a pinch.
Tragically, “print is dead” (so they say). Encompassed in that sentiment is the lack of desire to write people letters. I have saved every letter that has been sent to me because they feel so genuine and authentic and I think that it is unfortunate that some people don’t see value in this. It is a great way to preserve memories and add your own personal touch. Try writing a letter to your friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, sister, grandparent, cousin, a rando pen pal I don’t care who, but it will be rewarding!
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