Screen-Free Activities to Keep You Busy
I have a screen addiction, I won't lie. So, I thought about what hobbies or activities I could get into to keep myself busy and keep me away from my phone and computer.
Here's a list of hobbies/activities (that you could dabble into as well):
Free or low-cost hobbies/activities
Going on walks whether its at the park, at the mall, or around your neighborhood. A great way to get active and be outside. Invite a friend or family so you’re not alone.
Coloring books. All you need is a coloring book which you can find for cheap at the dollar store and a box of crayons (side note: crayons are so underrated, i love them!).
Puzzle books like crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, or sudoku. Again, you could find these for cheap and they're a fun way to stimulate your brain.
Visit a public library. Libraries are actually so cool and they offer a variety of free resources. I recommend exploring your local libraries if you haven't already.
Read. Get a book and read. You can literally borrow a book from the library or get some books at the dollar store.
Write. If you're a creative and imaginative person, write up stories. Even if you're not, write out your thoughts and feelings. Journal your day.
Make a zine. A zine is basically a mini magazine that can be about whatever you want and can be made however you want. It is so easy, all you need is a piece of paper and some art supplies. The great thing about zines is that they don't need to be perfect. You can find tutorials on Youtube.
Calligraphy. You can literally get a box of cheap markers and learn to do calligraphy. I used to do this a lot as a kid.
Draw or paint. I promise you do not need to be good at this to enjoy it. The art that I've enjoyed the most are the ones that were imperfect. What's important is that you're expressing yourself and having fun.
Yoga or Pilates. You can pull up a video from Youtube and get started. Technically, this does require a screen, but the benefit of this is you're getting active and calming your mind instead of mindlessly scrolling on social media.
Dance. Literally turn up some music, and start dancing like you're in the club lol. But on a serious note, find a tutorial of a choreo you like, and learn it.
Rock painting. Go outside, find some rocks, (clean them), and paint them. Now you have a cute little rock collection.
Volunteer. See if your local community has any volunteer opportunities. It’s free, and you get to do some good for your community.
Go to local events. They can be free or cheap. You’d be surprised how much there is to do in your area.
Not so low-cost hobbies/activities
Crocheting. Make cute plushies, clothes, bags, etc. The possibilities are endless. Get creative.
Learn to sew. All you need is a needle and some thread. It's a helpful skill to learn so you can mend things like clothes and also alter clothes. If you get serious about it later and like to diy stuff, you can invest in a sewing machine. Like crochet, the possibilities are endless.
Clay trinkets. Make cute little trinkets or whatever else you want to make, it's up to you.
Do press on nails. Doing your own nails is fun and all, but press on nails is where it's at. It's fun, creative, and convenient. You can wear them right away, store them, and/or save them for later. Plus, it's satisfying to have a collection of them that you can put into a nail binder. It is a bit pricey with all the supplies but all you need are the basics to get started.
Play a sport. Get into a sport that you have an interest in. If you have friends or family that would be down to play sports with you, I highly recommend it.
Scrapbooking. Keep things like receipts or packaging from items that hold sentimental value to you and save them in a scrapbook for memories. Get creative with it too.
Instant cameras. To add on to the scrapbooking hobby, you can get a cheap kid’s instant camera to add photos to your scrapbook.
Rainbow Loom. I don’t know if anyone remembers, but it was basically a bracelet looming toy. You can create cool bracelet designs from rubber bands. They used to be really popular. It’s fun and cute. I recommend checking it out.
Go to a workshop. There are workshops for a variety of things like pottery, dancing, candle-making, and more. Find workshops near you, and explore and learn something new and valuable. - ignore this. i did not realize how expensive these are.
Okay, I can't think of anything else at the moment. This list is based off of things that I am personally interested in.
My suggestion to you is think about things you did or were interested in back then as a kid. Things that didn't involve a screen, things that you forgot you enjoyed doing, etc. Perhaps you can tap back into that.
Not only that, but try to get into things that you are too afraid to do. It could actually be fun, but even if its not, at least then you know its not for you.