How to Stave Off Boredom Without Technology

Have you ever been bored? I know we have all been bored, and often. The question is, what do you do when you are bored? I think too many of us pick up our phones and start scrolling through social media. Which isn’t especially interesting, and honestly we are not really doing anything, but it seems a go to doesn’t it? And then we wonder where the time went that day. And if we are not scrolling social media we are on Youtube or watching Netflix. And while that is slightly better, do we really need to staring at screens to be engaged and enjoying ourselves?

So how can we not be bored without using technology? That’s the question I have given some thought to as I find myself looking at my phone too often, and it seems strange to me since I grew up with rotary phones and made my playlists by recording songs off the radio on Saturday mornings. Mixed tapes, how I miss you. But how did I go from never being bored as a teen to being bored as a forty year old? I blame technology to a degree, and there are plenty of ways to stave off that boredom without your phone.

Read a Book

This seems like an obvious one, but honestly, this is how I spent hours as a kid. With my head in a book. I read a lot, and when I had no books left to read, I re-read them. And I had a fair number of books as twelve year old. So when you are bored, pick up a book. Like, a real book, not a ebook. Not that I have anything against ebooks, but unless you have an reader, don’t do it only because you’ll be tempted to jump into other apps. So pick up an honest to goodness paperback because it’s the best way to not be bored without using any technology.

Draw Something

Draw anything–I don’t care if you can’t draw. Just draw whatever you like whether that’s eyeballs or unicorns. Doddle if you really feel like you can’t draw. Free hand it, have a fun, make it into a collection of bad art if it makes you feel better. Do you think I cared back in 1990 if my drawings didn’t look good? No, cuz no one was going to see them and it was something to do and the more I drew, the better I got. So go for it.

Take a Walk, Ride a Bike

Yup, get off your butt and go out and do something. Sure, it’s less fun without a friend but you can get some thinking done while you do this. That’s what growing up in the 90s was like because not everyone had Walkmans. No AirPods to stuff in your ears either. It’s fine to just get acquainted with your thoughts. Give it a go. It’s a great way to not be bored without using technology, and get your body moving as well.

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Write in a Journal

Use this time to journal. There are so many ways to journal–and these ideas were not around when I was growing up in the 1990s. I just wrote down my thoughts. And sometimes drew a picture on the front of the journal, maybe added a sticker if I had them. But now, there are so many ways to journal and it’s not seen as lame as it was when I was growing up. It’s a great way to support your mental health too. Journal. It’s fascinating what you can learn about yourself. Writing is a bit of a self discovery and is an amazing way to not be bored without using technology–good old paper and pen!

Creative Writing

Alternatively, try your hand at creative writing. Write a short story, a poem, write a creative paragraph about the moon or a monster or whatever tickles your fancy. No one has to read it unless you want them too, and it’s a great way to get the creative juices flowing. Playing with words is a truly magical feeling.

DIY Something

Ever wanted to DIY something? A wreath, a bracelet or a candle? Well, when you’re bored is the perfect time. Get out your crafting supplies (or go buy some) and get started. Personally, I love crocheting so this is always what I turn to though I do want to try my hand at some other fibre crafts. DIY projects are so much fun and a great way to creative.

Cook an Amazing Meal

You got to eat, right? Why not find a recipe and get cooking? Try something you’ve never made before, or make something that requires time but is super delicious. I like to cook soups, but you could try a roasted chicken with veggies, or even a curry. Share it family or friends, or enjoy it while you listen to music. Remember to eat mindfully.

Garden or Repot Plants

Depending the time of year, get out in the garden. De-head dead flowers, pull up weeds and grasses, maybe plant something new. You can also rake leaves, and prep your garden for the winter. Caring for your indoor plants is also a good idea. Re-pot ones that need it, snip back any dead growth, collect clippings for a new pot or a friend.

Work on a Puzzle

This is another great way to do something quiet and fun. I’ve seen lots of cool puzzles online, and I’d love to work on some of themselves myself. This is a great way to practice mindfulness and problem solving skills and is just fun as well. Plus, in the end you have a piece of art you can frame and hang in your home. I love this hands on way to not be bored without the use of any technology.

Final Thoughts

Life existed long before technology, and we used to have fun doing all of the above things and more as well. There is so much more you can do as well, these are just some ideas. I honestly need to do more of these myself instead of endlessly scrolling through Facebook because it’s you can be not. It’s far more productive and meaningful and less exhausting as well. I used to have lots of fun doing some of these very things when I was a kid, and well into my adulthood as well.

What do you do to stave off boredom? Share your own boredom busters below.