25 Things To Do When You’re Bored

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25 Things to do When Bored

We all have that moment when enthusiasm is hard to come by, and boredom settles in. As a result, we lay down on our favorite couch or messy bed, thinking about how bored we are and what to do to get away from it.

I have listed 25 things anyone can do when boredom strikes.

1. Go on a walk.

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You have yet to take a walk outside your neighborhood with you being busy with work, school, and other things. It’s a good time to do so and maybe befriend a new person along the way. Not only can you see new scenery but you’ll also get exercise.

2. Read a book.

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You can read anything, from magazines to online articles like what you’re currently doing to fiction stories on sites like Wattpad and Dreame. The bonus is that you don’t have to get out and can stay snuggled on your couch or bed as you immerse yourself in the literary world.

3. Watch a movie.

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What better way to fill your time than to delight yourself visually with movies and animations? You can choose from various genres, such as horror, romance, and comedy. Netflix and Prime Video have a collection of popular and new movies to choose from.

You don’t have to restrict yourself to a movie. Try binge-watching TV series such as Wednesday, Stranger Things, or Emily in Paris. You can also try watching Korean series like Sweet Home, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, or Squid Game.

4. Color in a coloring book.

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It’s time to wake up the artist sleeping inside of you.

You don’t have to have colored pens and coloring books physically. Nowadays, everything is available in a digital format. You can check the app store for digital coloring books and start on your artistic reprieve.

5. Visit a place you’ve never been before.

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According to a research article published in 2020, diverse and fresh experiences increase positive emotions. This activity doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to go too far or even plan an out-of-country trip right away. Explore streets you’ve never taken before or visit a new shop in the neighborhood.

6. Start Journaling.

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Grab a notebook and a pen. Write down how your previous days have been. How are you feeling, and are there any goals you want to achieve this year? Now is an excellent way to write it down and outline plans you have been pushing off for a sometime. Journaling not only helps to clear the mind and put thoughts in order, but it also helps us process emotions that come with our thoughts.

7. Learn a New Language.

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Learning language has been made convenient through online learning or mobile applications like Duolingo. It can benefit you in many ways. You may have been planning to visit countries where English is not a secondary language. It can also open up a new career opportunity in translation.

8. Visit a friend.

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Talking with a friend is not only enjoyable, but it also improves your communication and social skills. You might have a friend you have not gotten in touch with lately. Contact them and have an enjoyable conversation together.

9. Learn a Dance.

Hype Boy Dance Tutorial

Dance is a form of art and exercise. You can learn modern or contemporary dance and ballroom or try trendy dance moves circulating online. An excellent place to look at popular dance moves is Tiktok! Who knows, you might become the next dancing star!

10. Write a story.

A Wattpad story I wrote eons ago. https://www.wattpad.com/story/30321250-scarlet-legacy-completed

You might not believe this, but we all have a story to tell. Be it fiction or nonfiction. You can write an autobiography or a memoir if you think imagination eludes you. You might also have read a novel or watched a movie and are unsatisfied with its ending, but you can write a version of your own!

Or maybe, like me, you have read too many Werewolf Stories and watched Twilight for the nth time that you feel you can write a fiction novel of your own. Either way, get the words out of your mind and into paper or your Word document.

11. Bake something sweet.

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There is a variety of easy-to-follow recipes circulating online. You’ll get exercise from mixing batter and will be rewarded by the hot and sweet taste after baking. Don’t have an oven? Don’t sweat it! Just change the word “Bake” to “Eat”. Visit your favorite bakery and treat yourself to a slice of cake or a jar of cookies.

12. Start a blog.

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Almost everybody is into blogging nowadays. Blog content can be anything from tips on caring for your hair or your recipe for baking sweet cookies. Since you’re doing it for personal reasons, you don’t have to trouble yourself with SEO and marketing. Just write down what you want to share, publish it online or keep it yourself.

13. Go to the mall.

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This might be a good time to buy new clothes or try new styles to enliven your wardrobe. Don’t have the budget? No worries, you can still window shop and delight yourself with the latest fashion trends or visit the arcade corner and play some games.

14. Organize your room.

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It may be time to change the wallpaper or layout of your room. Change pillow covers, bedding, and curtains! You can also buy new furniture to organize all the things lying around. A tidy space promotes clearer thinking.

15. Listen to music.

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Music is relaxing and can influence your emotions depending on the beat. Go for an R&B and give in to the urge to dance or move your body. Or go for a sad love song and immerse yourself in the emotions the music evokes. You can also take it up a notch and sing along!

16. Clean the whole house.

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Grab your broom or vacuum cleaner and go around the house and look at the rooms you want to organize. Your bookshelf may be messy. The living room may be cluttered with toys. Or maybe the kitchen tiles need a deep cleaning? You will surely find a place in your home that needs extra attention.

17. Try a new mobile game.

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You can check out various games in the Appstore, arcade, puzzle, roleplay, or mind games. You can always uninstall it later if you find out it is not as enjoyable as everybody says.

18. Play a board game

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If you live with a friend or relative, it’s time to whip out that old Monopoly board and ask them to play a game. Not only are you spending time with your loved ones and cultivating your relationships, but you’re also having fun. You can check out multiplayer games online or on your tablet if you don’t have a board game at home. Have everyone join! The more, the merrier!

19. Meditate

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When you meditate, you don’t just sit down with your legs crossed and eyes closed. It improves self-awareness and improves focus. You can follow guided meditations from mindfulness apps or Youtube videos.

20. Take an online course.

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Learning is just at the tip of your fingers. Various educational videos are available for free on Youtube. If you want an in-depth lesson, you can also check out curated courses at sites like Skillshare, Udemy, and Coursera. You can earn certificates from these sites that you can also add to your resume.

21. Exercise.

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Just move around! Run in place if you don’t want to walk in your neighborhood. It might seem silly to stand up and do a set of exercises out of nowhere, but it’s not. Exercise promotes blood circulation. It also facilitates the release of serotonin, a hormone stabilizes our mood.

Exercise is the key not only to physical health but to peace of mind. — Nelson Mandela

22. Play with pets.

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You might be neglecting your pet due to hectic work schedules. Now is the time to make it up to them and treat them with extra love and care. Play with them inside or take them outside for a stroll. If you don’t have a pet, this is an excellent time to consider adopting one if you’re not allergic to fur.

23. Start gardening.

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Getting in touch with nature through gardening is a relaxing and fun way to spend your time. Studies show that spending time outside, under the sun, helps to de-stress and boost a positive mood. While this task might take more effort to complete as you’ll need seeds, pots, and quality soil, it is also a rewarding hobby. You get to eat homegrown vegetables or enjoy the scent of flowers. From the scientific perspective, you can see it as you contributing to preventing global warming!

24. Draw anything.

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Studies show that creating art in whatever form stimulates the release of dopamine, the happy hormone. Distract yourself from negative thoughts by focusing on the creation through combination of lines and shapes.

25. Pick up a new hobby.

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It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby. Try crocheting, painting, baking, cooking, drawing, writing, or reading. A hobby can be as lucrative as illustration and design or as productive as gardening and cooking.

Like anything from the list or you want to suggest a new activity you have tried? Comment down below!

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Almira Bhel Morquianos - Content Writer

Almira is a writer based in Philippines. She loves to write fiction as well as write articles sharing tips and insights about social anxiety and depression.