Finding free time in our days can feel like a treasure so rare that when the opportunity actually presents itself, we freeze. Usually, the first instinct is to scroll TikTok or check Instagram … again, and again, and again. Or maybe you have a running list of activities, crafts, or home-improvement projects you’ve been wanting to tackle. But when it comes down to it, the endless options wind up feeling overwhelming, rather than energizing. And for remote workers spending most of the day inside the bedroom(which also functions as an office), it can be difficult to break up the monotony of the day, leading to feelings of isolation and stir-craziness. Trust us, we’ve been there!
Regardless of the origins of your boredom, we’ve got you covered. After all, boredom is a state of mind, and we want to break you out of it. Below, we’ve gathered up 70 spirit-lifting, boredom-busting ideas to try next time you’re feeling restless or trapped in the house. Have fun! Literally!
Entertaining things
1. Start watching a new reality series. Maybe it’s finally time to get into Love Island or Real Housewives. Reality shows are designed to keep you watching, which can be a boon for a bored brain.
2. Watch a classic movie you’ve never seen. It’s time to check out Casablanca at long last. Your parents will surely be pleased.
3. Read a great essay. You don’t have to look too far.
4. Search “happy birthday + [your name]” on YouTube. It doesn’t technically have to be your birthday to enjoy watching a bunch of strangers, okay?
5. Make a playlist of your favorite songs from high school. I bet you haven’t heard Eve 6’s “Inside Out” in a long time, have you? What about Jimmie’s Chicken Shack’s “Do Right”?
6. Watch as many episodes as you want of your favorite show. Listen, who cares? No one’s judging.
7. Start a book you’ve been meaning to read. It’s time to finally check out Swann’s Way.
8. Play a video game. If you’re without a video-game system, there are tons of free options online.
9. Read some humor writing. Delight your mind with the writings of Jack Handey or Samantha Irby.
10. Put together a puzzle. If you enjoy that sort of thing.
11. Make a music-video playlist to play on your TV. This is almost like being at a bar! Sort of!
Relaxing Things
12. Light some candles. Whether you’re working from the office or in your room, keeping it cozy is an instant mood booster.13. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. An at-home salon-worthy manicure is possible. Trust us.
14. Apply a soothing face mask. Your skin deserves it.
15. Do a guided meditation. Maybe not one by Gwyneth Paltrow, though.
16. Have a yoga break. If you don’t want to head to a studio, there are a bunch of free yoga classes you can take online. It’ll feel good whether it’s a 15-minute or hour-long session.
17. Take a bath. Do you have a nice bathtub? Please appreciate your great fortune, get in it, and take a bath.
18. Go for a walk. It’s still allowed, and it can do wonders for your mind-set.
19. Practice deep breathing. I know it might sound as though it won’t do much, but slowing down and paying attention to your breath can really change how you feel and instill a sense of calm.
20. Lie down, close your eyes, and listen to a podcast. Even if you don’t like podcasts, I bet this sounds pretty relaxing. Find an episode that sounds interesting, lie down, and listen.
21. Cuddle with your pet. It’s good for you and your fur baby!
22. Go to an online art exhibit. If you want to skip the IRL crowds, the National Museum of Women in the Arts has great options.
Delicious Things
23. Make a fancy cocktail or mocktail. Practice your mixology skills and make yourself a beautiful drink.
24. Try a meal-kit subscription service. Skip the grocery shopping and soothe your decision fatigue with a box of preportioned ingredients and hard-to-mess-up instructions.
25. Bake bread. Just give in: Sourdough starter is here to stay.
26. Meal prep for the week. It can be very satisfying! Chop away!
27. Bake cookies. You know you want to.
28. Try to re-create your favorite restaurant meal. You don’t need to be a chef — all you need are the appropriate ingredients and a lot of derring-do.
29. Make a dip. Onion dip? Guacamole? Artichoke? The nice thing about making a dip for yourself is you end up with a lot of dip. All for you!
30. Plan your breakfast for tomorrow. Maybe some overnight oats?
31. Try a TikTok cooking hack. Salmon rice, feta pasta, healthy Coke … just not NyQuil chicken, please.
32. Soak some dry beans. Then, later, you can have some beans.
33. Make applesauce. It’s so easy, it’s almost criminal.
Creative Things
34. Paint a portrait of your cat. Or your dog, or your rabbit, or your bookshelf! Then, you get a bonus activity: choosing where to display it.
35. Write a song. Do you have a musical instrument around? It might be time to dust it off and write a song about whatever it is you’re feeling right now.
36. Try The Artist’s Way. It’s never too late to start journaling, and this method, which involves writing a few stream-of-consciousness “morning pages” every day, is designed to open up your creative flow. As a bonus, Bella Hadid does it.
37. Teach your dog a new trick. Teach your dog to spin or shake or “play dead.” It’s fun and rewarding for both of you.
38. Learn to do a split. Working on your flexibility a few minutes a day can lead to fewer injuries and better posture. Plus, it’s a neat party trick.
39. Write a poem. No one ever has to read it.
40. Learn how to juggle. Can you imagine how impressed your friends will be once you reveal you’ve taught yourself how to juggle?
41. Write letters. As a kid, there was absolutely nothing more exciting than getting a letter in the mail from a pen pal. Why do we let age rob us of our youthful sense of wonder? Send a letter to a friend. Maybe they’ll write back!
42. Start a photo-and-memories album. If you’re like me, you keep a lot of little pieces of trash around for memories: movie stubs, Playbills, particularly notable receipts. Why not gather all this garbage into a photo album?
43. Turn a T-shirt into a sleeveless shirt. Do you have a T-shirt you like but never wear? Maybe it will be a little better if you cut off the sleeves. You’re a fashion designer now!
44. Read a play, or write one. It’s like watching a movie, except it’s reading (or writing).
45. Sew a mask for a friend. An act of love and creativity.
46. Design your future tattoo. Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? Why not one you’ve designed? Draw some stuff, play around, imagine where you might want some ink.
47. Learn how to read tarot cards. Here’s an easy beginner’s guide.
48. Learn about bog bodies. You’re going to be surprised.
49. Make a time capsule. Maybe someday you’ll want to remember this? Maybe??
Productive Things
50. Deep-clean your bathroom. When you’re bored, it can be helpful to discard the idea you’re going to find something “fun” to do and get down to some work that actually needs doing. I’m sure your bathroom needs a good scrubbing. Why not now?
51. Organize your closet. Having an organized space helps you find things and keeps you relaxed. Go ahead and organize that closet.
52. Clean out your fridge. Something smells in there.
53. Start learning a new language. Does Duolingo even work? I don’t know, but you can try.
54. Wash the windows. They’re looking pretty grimy. Let the sunshine in!
55. Hand-wash your clothes. A nice thing to check off the to-do list.
56. Do an online workout. It’s so nice to have done a workout. Unfortunately, the only way to have done a workout is to do a workout. Go on and get that serotonin.
57. Clean your makeup brushes. Trust us, they’re disgusting.
58. Organize all those papers. You know you have a big stack of papers. Or maybe you have a few little stacks of papers. What are all of those papers? Bills? Or something else? Time to organize them.
59. Clean your window-unit air conditioner. There’s no way around this one, I’m sorry!
60. Pick up crochet. It’s a hobby for all seasons. Don’t you want to make your own crop tops for spring and summer and your own blankets for fall and winter?
61. Clean out your computer’s hard drive. There are no doubt tons of files clogging up your computer that you downloaded a long time ago and have absolutely no use for. Delete them and free up some space for more stuff you don’t need later.
62. Wash the floors. Wouldn’t it be nice to have clean floors? What a life.
63. Rotate your mattress. I personally have never done this. But maybe we both should?
64. Organize your pantry. Ah, can you imagine it? An organized pantry where you can see everything you have and grab whatever you need. Does it seem like an impossible dream? It’s not. Here’s some inspiration.
65. Listen to an audiobook. You can “read” while you clean!
66. Get into ceramics. You’ll never have to buy bowls or mugs again!
67. Learn more about the wine you’ve got stocked up. Maybe you can turn it into a side hustle?
68. Learn to drive. I’m looking at you, New Yorkers.
69. Start bird-watching. So you can identify the little friends on your windowsill, of course.
70. Learn to scale a wall. For dire situations! Or for fun!
