Let’s take a moment to talk about the best things to do when bored. Of course, there’s a lot of scope there, so this could take a while. But please bear with us, because there are some fantastic ideas on this list, which you will not want to miss.
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Have you ever been bored? I don’t mean a little bored, and I don’t mean have you ever woken up and asked yourself, what should I do today. I mean, have you ever been BORED. So bored that even the thought of watching paint dry or snail racing seems like it could be too much fun for your boredom-poisoned body to survive.
Thought so. Well, the doctor is in because this article will give you so many cool things to do when bored that you won’t have enough boring days to do them all in.
Table of Contents
First, What Does It Mean to be Bored?
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We live in an age where being trapped at home has become the standard. It’s not that easy to meet up with friends or book a quick weekend getaway when things get a bit stressful. As a result, our homes have become not only our castles but, for many, our prisons.
Boredom has reached new heights, with many people sitting on the sofa wondering if turning to alcohol counts as a valid way to pass the time.
The simple answer is no.
However, there is a HUGE array of things you could do to occupy yourself when the familiar pangs of boredom start to scratch at the far corners of your mind. There may be many of you reading this out of curiosity wondering, how can you be bored? Life is too hectic to be bored.
Well, that is very true.
However, I stand to the belief that you can be busy and still be bored. By this, I mean you can be running around chasing your tail all day long, running errands, or jumping from meeting to meeting, but that doesn’t mean you are mentally stimulated.
Boredom Counts When Talking About Mental Health
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That is why, in this article, we will break down the different areas and places that boredom can creep in. At home, in public, in the workplace, etc. People talk a lot about focus and motivation and other positivity-inducing points. We also talk a lot about mental health; in particular, we are more ‘woke’ when it comes to understanding and accepting depression and anxiety. However, not enough time is spent discussing the effects of boredom on the soul.
That may sound deep, but don’t worry, this will not be some internal evaluation of our minds. No recollection of childhood trauma is required to read this post.
All I mean to say is that boredom is not just something that is there. Boredom seeps into the mind and can take over, in a way similar to depression and other such mental health concerns.
So with that said, before you get bored of reading my words, let’s jump right into the post and look at the top 50 things to do when bored.
Try This at Home – 10 Things to Do When Bored Alone
In the modern-day and age, we have all spent more time locked up in our own homes than even the most socially awkward person would have ever expected. There are only so many things you can do when home alone without getting bored. Unless you’re Kevin McAllister, you can’t really justify investing your time in creating a series of intricate and life-ending booby traps in your home. (Yes, the poor Wet Bandits should have died at least seven times over trying to get their hands on a young Macaulay Culkin.)
Anyway, enough of that, onwards with the top 10 things you can do when bored by yourself.
1. Watch a Movie
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While this may sound like a bit of a dud, but often, you can offset the early stages of boredom by giving your mind something engaging to do. For example, watching a movie is a great way to pass the time and gently change things up a little. That simple shock to the system can be enough to beat back the lurking shadow of boredom.
Then, of course, you can always take it one step further and change up your regular viewing. If you’re a horror lover, why not take a chance on a rom-com or a period drama. If documentaries are your thing, maybe a good action film or a psychological thriller will help you break the funk of impending boredom and get you safely through another day.
With streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Shudder, and all of the different cable networks and their associated smart TV apps, you are never more than a few button presses away from a good movie.
2. Read a Book
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If watching movies is your usual way to pass the time, this can likely wear thin after a while. Boredom attacks the hobbies we love the most and turns them into torrid affairs that make us lose all hope. Or, perhaps you’ve just gone through every single film and series Netflix has to offer and can already unravel the entire plot of something based on the blurb. You could even be one of those people who just doesn’t really like TV.
Whatever the case, if you’re bored at home, why not pick up a book? There is no shortage of reading choices out there, from novels and short stories to visual novels, manga, and comics. Or if you’re less into pure escapism, you can try out the myriad self-help and survival books to hone your skills and character.
Reading is great for looking at things to do when bored alone because books sweep you up and away into the world created on the page. Whether you’re crawling into the life of a famous figure as you read their biography, hiding in the skin of the poor main character in a Stephen King novel, or chasing adventure with Jack Reacher, there is no end to the level of escapism offered by a good book.
3. Take a Walk
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If you are one of the many people who have taken to working from home full-time, the initial burst of euphoria at not having to get dressed or suffer a commute each morning may have lost some of its lustre. Taking a walk is a fantastic way to stave off boredom. It also gets you out in the fresh air. There are immeasurable health benefits to getting up from behind your desk and taking a walk. Come rain or shine, there is always somewhere to wander and something to see while doing it.
Walking is also a great way to clear your mind and work through your problems. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been struggling with an article and just left my desk and taken a stroll. Something about the peace and space of the great outdoors clears the mind and lets the swirling torrent of thoughts settle.
It is amazing how simple the world can seem after a good walk. But, of course, you’re also getting in some of those 10,000 steps each day too. Sounds like a win-win to me.
4. Try Writing a Story
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You don’t need to be a poet or an expert in literature to try your hand at writing. So if you’re struggling to find things to do when bored, why not grab a pen and paper and try your hand at writing a short story. It doesn’t even have to make sense. If anything, free-writing is a great exercise and a way to spark your mind and push back those pangs of boredom.
Just clear your mind and let the pen move over the paper. Before you know it, you could have pages of notes and a semblance of a story. Depending on how you feel, you could edit it up, shop it around, or submit it to an open anthology call. On the other hand, you might just screw it up and throw it away. In any case, setting aside even just thirty minutes to pen a few words can work wonders when it comes to beating boredom.
Note that I say use a pen and paper rather than a laptop. This might just be a personal preference, but I feel you just can’t beat the feeling of writing something longhand. There is a much better mental connection between your hand and the pen than there’s your hand and a keyboard.
If fiction isn’t your thing, how about just writing out a to-do list or starting a mindfulness journal. Anything that gets keeps your mind occupied is a near-guaranteed way to stave off boredom.
5. Hit the Gym
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If boredom has become a regular part of your daily routine, why not brush the dust off your trainers and head down to the gym. If you’re like me, the odds are there is at least one membership currently running that you’ve all but forgotten about.
The great thing about hitting the gym is the knock-on effects that it can have. Getting in shape helps you look better, feel better, and generally be better. This means you’re less likely to feel bored during the times when you’re not working out.
It also helps that you can lose those extra pounds you’ve been hoarding since last winter – in preparation for the new load coming this time around.
The days of a gym membership breaking the bank are also behind us. Most towns and cities will have at least a handful of those cheap and cheerful $9.99 a month gyms. They might not be the best, but it’s a great place to start.
6. Go Back to an Old Hobby
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So many of these posts – including this one – will talk about finding new things to do to help fight off boredom. It’s excellent advice. It really is.
However, there is also a lot of value in returning to a hobby from long ago, something you used to love doing but slowly drifted away from for some reason or another. After all, there is comfort in familiarity.
Picking up a hobby you used to be all-in on can be refreshing and exactly what you need to break the chains of boredom. Not to mention, you won’t be coming in as a complete newbie, so you can likely skip those early new-started nerves that can be so off-putting.
7. Get Those Green Thumbs Dirty
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Regardless of where you live or the time of year, there is always a chance to get your hands dirty in the garden. Whether you’re preparing the flowerbeds for next year, weeding or planting the borders, hanging baskets, or indeed succulents, gardening is a wonderful boredom-busting hobby.
If flowers aren’t your thing, maybe growing some of your own fruits or vegetables holds some appeal. With square foot and vertical gardening now a thing, there is no reason you can at least give it a go. If you’re truly as bored as your mind is telling you, this could be exactly what you need. It’s also an educational experience to plant, grow, and later eat your own home-grown food.
I have a friend who lives in the middle of the city, in a small flat. During the first lockdown, they went through a tough time, and gardening helped them channel their focus and get them through and now have an entire living-space filled with plants.
8. A Story of Seasons – Spring Cleaning
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Just because the season is in the name, it doesn’t mean that you need to wait for it to come around before you get on with a bit of spring cleaning. What could be more productive and motivating than decluttering your home when looking for things to do when bored and home alone.
Whether you decide to go through your wardrobe and get rid of everything you’ve been hoarding all those years. The jeans you’re waiting to lose weight to fit into, or the t-shirts that used to fit before your lockdown weight gain began. All of this can be tidied up, decluttered, and either discarded or donated to a worthy cause.
Not only is it an excellent opportunity for you to tidy up, but there are numerous health benefits from tidying and decluttering. It reduces stress and can help you feel motivated and ready to start something new.
9. Take a Nap
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This one sounds too simple to be true, but taking a nap can be a fantastic way to shake off the shackles of boredom. If you’re just sitting around, twiddling your thumbs with nothing to do, close your eyes and grab 40 winks.
It’s not so much the act of napping that works. Not is it a case of saying, I’m sleeping, so don’t know I’m bored. It’s really about the refreshing impact of the nap itself.
When you wake fresh and recharged, things will have a different look, and maybe, just maybe, you will find some motivation to get up and keep yourself busy. The one thing nobody talks about when bored is the fact that it’s rarely because we have nothing to do. Rather, it’s a case of us lacking the enthusiasm or motivation to do these things.
10. Get Your Hands Dirty With a bit of DIY
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We’ve all got that one room we’ve been meaning to paint for years. That shelving unit in a box waiting to be put together and a wonky cupboard door that just needs a quick adjustment.
Well, if you are stuck at home and in a bit of a rut, trying to come up with something to pass the time, a little bit of DIY is just what the doctor ordered. Not only does it give you something to invest your time and focus on, but the result will be good for your mental health too.
That feeling of accomplishment and the knowledge that you’ve done it, you made the improvement. It’s has a powerful, almost intoxicating effect on the mind.
10 Things to Do When Bored With Friends
People often think that boredom only strikes when you are on your own. However, that could not be further from the truth. It is perfectly possible to be surrounded by people but be bored out of your mind.
This could be because you don’t like the company you keep, or it could be because things feel stale after so many years of hanging out together. But, unfortunately, if you live in a small town, there are only limited things you can do in order to occupy your time.
I know this from experience!
You could argue that being bored with friends is even worse. At least when you are on your own, you just need to find something to keep you entertained. When you bring in multiple people, most likely all with slightly differing interests, it becomes that much harder to find something everybody will enjoy.
No, I’m not saying that you should ditch your friends the moment you get a bit bored in their company. That would be more than a little harsh and possibly result in some hurt feelings. But just bear in mind that it’s harder, at times, to entertain a group than yourself. So with that in mind, let’s now look at some great things to do when bored with friends.
1. Get Active – Have a Kick About
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It doesn’t matter where you live or what sport is considered king where you are; there is always a good reason to grab a ball and have a play.
No, I don’t mean that sort of group activity!
Whether you are all football, basketball, soccer, or baseball fans – or any other sport in between – it’s always going to be good fun if you and your mates grab a ball and start kicking it around. There is something undeniably simple in a traditional game of touch football, next-to-score-is-the-keeper soccer, or even a bog-standard game of catch. In fact, if you’re bored as a group, then shaking things up with something completely unexpected might work even better.
Run around, have a laugh and a giggle, maybe even cast your mind back to the simpler days of your youth. Chat and reminisce. The time will pass in a flash, and as it hurries away, it will grab boredom by its heels and drag it along for the ride.
Let’s not forget about the health benefits of getting up and active in the fresh air. We all lead far too sedentary lives as it is, so any excuse to get a bit of exercise is never a bad thing.
2. Embrace Your Inner Dungeon Master
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We might not be living in the 1980s anymore, but if there is one thing Stranger Things has taught us, it is that Dungeons and Dragons – and all other such games – are still cool. So, if you and your friends are bored of just hanging out and want to find another way to occupy your time, then this is it.
It’s time to embrace your inner dungeon master and get a game going.
You don’t need to go all-in at first, but you might just find that your inner geek is ready to come back out to play.
There is more to playing a dice-based game than many people may think. If you’ve never tried it before, there is no better time to get into it than now. Imagine the fun you can have bashing orcs, hunting trolls, and casting spells, all while collectively praying that the dice-gods are in your favor today. So, if you like adventure, and you like a strong story, and you enjoy being entertained in your spare time, then get your friends to surrender to the call of the dungeon.
I’ve long wanted to be able to find a group of people willing to let me into their D&D circle.
3. Start a Podcast
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If tabletop games are too retro for you, then why not get together with your buddies and do something that is so 2021 it puts covid-quarantines to shame. Start yourself a podcast.
I mean, you can do it for free.
Sure, if you get big or want to take it uber-seriously, going for a paid hosting solution is the best option. However, for a group of friends just looking to do something new and keep the ever-reaching fingers of boredom at bay, anything will do. You don’t even need to be subject matter experts. Just sit down together, shoot the shit, record it and see what happens.
The market for podcasts is pretty stacked right now, but again, if you’re just doing this for a bit of fun, it can give you all something to focus on. If you record once a week, that’s already one day less to be bored on. Then you factor in pre-time and editing. You can easily find yourself entertained for days on end just recording a single show each week.
It’s ideal for a group too because everybody can play a part, both on-air and behind the scenes.
4. Nerf Gun
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Who doesn’t remember the fun of being a kid and getting a brand new NERF gun? Of, if you were like me, the dollar store equivalent. It didn’t matter. You had a gun that fired foam darts at people. It was awesome.
Now, as adults, you and your friends can take your NERF game to the next level. There are hundreds of options for you to buy, from simple handguns to rail guns, fully automatic NERF rifles, and, no doubt, some form of an artillery unit. All you need is a bit of space and a few bored friends, and together you can take up arms and go to war with boredom.
Not only will it be a fun way to pass the time, but it will invoke all of those wonderful childhood memories. Let’s be honest; we live in a day and age where everything around us seems to be serious and intent on making us grow older faster. Right that wrong with a NERF gun battle ASAP. You and your friends will have the time of your lives.
5. Let Your Inner Child Loose With a Blanket Fort
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Ok, this one might be a little out there. It largely depends on how old you and your friends are and how much you are willing to role play with one another before things get awkward.
Life is serious enough. Don’t let it win!
However, if you’re the type of buddies that are happy to let it all hang out without feeling stupid, why not spend an afternoon building a blanket (and/or pillow) fort.
It may seem childish, but trust me, as adults, there is something incredibly fun and refreshing about designing and building a fort. Of course, growing up changes the way we view things, yet that inner child is always there, waiting to be let loose.
It’s the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. So grab some sheets, pillows, and cushions and see how much harder it is to build a good fort with an adult brain as it is a kid’s one.
This is also a fantastic thing to do when bored with your kids and with all you’re kids. Maybe you and your buddies could get the kids together too and have an adults vs. kids blanket fort and pillow fight war.
6. Play Some Video Games
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There is so much scope when it comes to video games that they warrant their own placement on this list away from ‘games’ as discussed above. Be it on a PC, a Switch, or everything via cross-play.
The great thing about video games is there is so much scope. You’ve got everything from online MMOs to couch co-ops and old-fashioned controller swapping beat-em-ups and fighters. So you’re not just stuck with one option. Then, of course, you can go retro.
Personally, I love nothing more than cracking out the old N64 and my copy of WWE No Mercy and having a good old Royal Rumble competition or a deathmatch on GoldenEye. The hours my friends and I have spent playing that game beggars belief. In fact, I don’t want to even think about it.
I live in a different country from my kids, and we try to regularly get online together and play a few rounds of Fortnite each week. So the next time you are thinking of things to do when bored with friends, blow the dust off a games console and just let the good times roll.
7. Explore Your Town
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How many of us can really say we know out town or city? I’d wager that unless you live in a tiny place, there are parts of where you live that are as foreign to you as a country on the other side of the world. Well, being bored and with friends, what better thing to do than go exploring.
I don’t mean urban exploration and crawling through the sewers like Andy Dufrane. I mean, just go to a part of town you don’t know and take a look around. Browse some shops, grab a coffee at a local cafe rather than some multi-national chain. Sit down in a park and just listen to the world as it moves around you. Heck, find a pub you’ve never been in and enjoy a couple of cold ones with your buddies.
It doesn’t matter what you do. It’s the fact that you are out there doing something.
Exploring can be a great way to learn new things and uncover hidden treasures in the place you call home.
8. Support Your Local Community
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Tying into the concept of exploration, why don’t you spend a bit of time supporting your local community. This could be something as simple as getting that cup of coffee mentioned above or dropping into a local grocery shop for your pint of milk and carton of cigarettes rather than popping into a supermarket.
Why not browse a few second-hand stores and see what things have been donated. Maybe you have been doing some spring cleaning and have some things to drop off. You could see what sort of donations they accept and make a note to return with your goods. I’ve lost count of the number of books I’ve picked up from thrift stores and the like.
Another great way to support your local area when looking for things to do when bored is to go to the community center, local halls, and groups to see what is happening. There are often events, such as craft fares or local meet and greets going on, that you would never know about unless you went looking. These can be great places to meet people and learn even more about where you live.
You don’t need to be a bore or a history buff to take an interest in your hometown.
9. Start a Book Club
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As an author, I really wanted to put this higher on the list, but I restrained myself. Starting a book club is one of the best things to do when bored.
Why?
Because it is not just a one-time event, and it is not something that is over when the sunsets. A book club is a rolling engagement and something that can occupy every day, going that extra mile to ward off the snaking tendrils of boredom as they come wafting along on the wind. You can pick a range of books, both in and way out of your comfort zone. Try something new, chat about it with your friends and see what there is to be discovered.
Remember, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
10. Random Acts of Kindness
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In the age of lockdown and quarantine, it is all too easy to slip into a mindset of self-centeredness and preservation. However, that is often a road that leads to boredom. As a result, we isolate ourselves further than necessary.
One great way to find things to do when bored is to pay it forward with random acts of kindness.
Now, this is something you can interpret any way you wish and can grow from something small to something world-changing. Ok, that’s unlikely, but you never know. Maybe you could donate your time at a local homeless shelter or make a big bowl of homemade soup and drive around at night giving cups of soup to those living on the streets.
You could visit a hospital and offer to read to the sick or spend some time with someone who hasn’t had a visitor.
When it comes to being kind, the only limit is the scope of your imagination and how far you are willing to go.
10 Things to Do When Bored in Quarantine
If the word quarantine doesn’t strike fear into your heart and make you shudder down to the deepest pit of your soul, then you just haven’t been doing it right. I mean, I’m an introvert and LOVE spending time at home, but even I was fed up with being told I had to stay indoors.
I’m not going to start discussing the pros and cons of social isolation. I’m just going to talk about how being quarantined changes the game when thinking of things to do when bored. At least before, if you were bored, you could get out of the house and do something.
But what about when we are locked up?
Unfortunately, there are only so many years you can play in Stardew Valley before even that quaint charm begins to wear a little thin.
Read on to see our list of the top ten things to do when bored and stuck in quarantine.
1. Spend Some Time in the Kitchen
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You did really well if you didn’t invest in an air fryer during the 2020-2021 lockdown season. However, regardless of your kitchen equipment purchases, should you find yourself locked up in quarantine again, the kitchen could become your safe haven.
An excellent way to get rid of boredom is to be creative. Nothing is more creative or delicious than spending time in the kitchen. So grab a recipe book, or do a quick Google search and set about making whatever takes your fancy.
Sure, you follow the recipe to start with, but it won’t be long before you’re expressing yourself culinarily, creating the sort of dishes that mama used to make.
2. Broaden Your Horizons – Explore Your Taste in Music
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Being alone is the perfect time to turn up the tunes and belt out a song or two. But why stop there? Why replay the same artist or the same set of tracks on your seven-year-old playlist? There’s a wealth of musical talent out there just waiting for you to find them.
If you’re bored and looking for things to do, why not challenge yourself to listen to a new artist every day. Moreover, take yourself out of your comfort zone and listen to a different musical genre each day too. You might just find a few new names whose music you like. The worst that happens is you spend your time listening to music and having a bit of fun.
Personally speaking, I have listened to a lot of new music in recent months, following this same principle. As a result, I found some fantastic bands I never knew existed, some very popular ones, and others, small bands local to where I live.
3. Reach Out to an Old Friend or Relative
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Being bored might make it feel as if time is dragging slower than a snail moving through a puddle of molasses. However, I can guarantee you; time is moving fast. So next time you’re bored, why not spend a bit of time reaching out to an old friend or maybe a relative who you haven’t spoken to or seen in a while. Of course, nobody wants to think about the time after someone passes, but all too often, we leave it too late to have the conversations we want to have.
Boredom is a great motivator to reach out and right those social wrongs while you still have the time. So open up FaceTime, WhatsApp, Discord, or heck, dust off that old ballpoint, and write someone a letter.
Not only is it a great way to break the funk of boredom, but you could make someone’s day by getting in touch. It’s very easy to sink into a pool of self-obsession, especially when bored. But, the truth is, we are all going through largely the same experience in this world. So reaching out might also be what is needed to cure someone else of their crippling boredom too.
If you don’t feel like connecting with relatives, and your friends are all pub-quizzed out, why not go one step further and look to become a pen friend to someone. There are services online that can connect you with people in other parts of the world. A creative and rewarding pursuit on top of being a cracking way to hammer boredom into submission.
4. Take an Online Course
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Have you always wished you could learn some new skill? Well, if you’re bored and alone, why not make the most of that time? There are plenty of online resources out there offering courses or education opportunities. Even YouTube can be a valuable repository for learning opportunities.
With places like Udemy and Masterclass, there is no end to viable and valuable self-educating opportunities. It doesn’t even have to be a course in anything serious or taken with a view towards a major career change. Perhaps you have just always wanted to learn how to bake or write jokes. Whatever you’re interested in, there is an online training resource out there.
The benefit of these online courses is that they move at your own pace. So, if you’re bored and have a lot of time on your hands, you could knock out a few lessons in a row. In addition, the lectures are all recordings that you can pause and review time and time again. Meaning you never need to feel left behind or out of the loop. All of this makes online courses a great way to beat home-alone boredom.
5. Try Out Some Home Workouts
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We’ve already covered a regular gym-going routine’s physical and mental health-boosting properties. Just because you are forced to quarantine it doesn’t mean you can’t keep that routine going.
There is no shortage of home workout systems and options for you to try. Even a look around on YouTube can offer a plethora of free home workouts to get your heart pumping and sweat flowing.
Personally speaking, during the first wave of lockdown, I tried the P90X program – something I meant to do years ago – and also stumbled into DDPY. Yes, that’s a yoga workout from Diamond Dallas Page. It’s a little pricey, but it worked. I was in the best shape of my life, and my mind was alert and boredom-free.
Even if you are not a fan of home-workouts, they can be great for a short period. After all, quarantine isn’t a life sentence.
6. Start Journaling or Blogging
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Boredom often rears its ugly head when the mind is stagnant. So if you find yourself sitting around with nothing (exciting) to do, why not try your hand at journaling, blogging, or even starting a newsletter for one of your other hobbies. I’ll cover them both together because, well, ultimately, they are variations of the same theme.
I’ve run several blogs over the years, not to any great success, but they were more passion projects than anything else. Creative outlets with a platform to be read by those that found me.
If you can get into the habit of writing regularly, you will find your confidence begins to grow. This is not just in terms of your writing but confidence in general. Putting yourself out there with a blog post can be daunting, especially the first few posts and those super personal ones that will ultimately come.
Writing is a wonderful, creative pursuit and something that you can do whenever, wherever the mood strikes.
7. Plan a Trip
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It might feel as if you are just tormenting yourself, but one fun thing to do when you’re stuck in a quarantine bubble is to plan a trip. It could be a weekend away with your partner, or maybe a solo escape-the-world adventure to some far-flung corner of the globe. Either way, a trip cannot just be made without thought and consideration. (Ask me how I know!)
So if you’re stuck at home, and can’t venture beyond your front door, turn to Google. Research counties and places you’ve always wanted to go. Map out a route, maybe look into hotels and excursions you could do. Price it all up and set yourself a target of working towards that dream holiday.
It will keep your mind entertained and give you something to look forward to once the world returns to normal.
8. Take a Trip to a Virtual Museum
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Technology has come a long way, and with the global pandemic, companies have had to find new and impressive ways to stay … operational. As a result, there are now several museums that offer virtual admission. You can wander their hallways, view the exhibits, and ponder their magnificence, all from the comfort of your own home.
While it may not be exactly the same as being there in person, when you’re cooped up, bored, and looking for things to do in quarantine, then it might just be the saving grace you were hoping for.
If you were so inclined, you could even organize to take a trip with your family or friends. All log on together, maybe jump on a discord call, and make a day of it. You could even make it a home learning experience if you have children.
9. Listen to a Podcast
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When I was a lad, if you wanted regular content you could enjoy, you’d get a magazine subscription. Nowadays, it’s podcasts. They’re fantastic because they are often far more frequently produced than a magazine and they’re free!
If you’re finding yourself thinking of things to do when bored at home, a podcast is the perfect cure. They are fun, informative, and give you something to occupy your time. It’s incredible how fast time can disappear once you start listening to a podcast. Whether you’re a wrestling fan listening to Wade Keller or Busted Open Radio, a tech-savvy marketer listening to The Authority Hacker of Gary Vee, or just want something fun like Radio Stories or Stuff to Blow Your Mind.
Recommended Reading: Best True Crime Podcasts
In short, podcasts are a fantastic way to kick boredom into submission, entertain yourself, and maybe learn a thing to two. The other bonus about podcasts is that there are so many of them, you’ll never run out of things to listen to. They are also fantastic to have on in the background while doing other things.
10. Update Your Resume / Tidy Up Your Digital Footprint
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The internet is like an elephant. It never forgets. The more you Google, the more sites you join and accounts you make so grows your digital footprint. While this is not always a bad thing, there might come a time when you, as a person, have changed sufficiently to want to tidy up the signs of your youth.
Unlike the photos in your grandma’s attic, you can’t just hide away the reminders of your digital youth. Well, you can, but it takes a little bit of effort. That’s why it’s a fantastic task for days when you find yourself fed up and looking for things to do when bored in quarantine. You can’t go outside; you can have anybody round, so why not work on you.
Polish up your CV, and do an audit on your digital presence, shutting down any accounts you no longer want or use. Just Google your name and see what comes up. You might be surprised by some of the results. Then, when you think potential employers are even your current ones might do just the same thing when considering you for a role.
See where we’re going with this?
There’s never a better time than now to tidy up your online resume.
Boredom Doesn’t Have to be a Bad Thing
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Talking as a creative type, I can confirm that boredom doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Sure, in this list, we have looked at some creative and inventive things to do when bored. However, when I get bored, I sometimes like to lay back and enjoy being bored.
Why?
Good question.
Because, when your mind is going slow, and the pressures and stresses of the world slip away – because you’re too bored to care about them – the best moments of creativity can strike. Killer ideas for stories can come from nowhere. Why do you think so many great ideas happen when having a shower, relaxing on the toilet, or walking the dog?
When you step back, slow down, and open yourself to the experiences this world can throw at you, great things can happen.
So while it’s great to keep yourself busy, and I’m all in favor of exploring new hobbies and means of entertainment, maybe next time, first, just embrace it and see where boredom actually leads. You might just surprise yourself.
Final Thoughts on the Different Things to do When Bored
There you have it. A long list of things to do when bored, under a range of circumstances. This is not a definitive list; however, nobody wants to log on and read a double dissertation length post on holding off boredom. The irony of that sort of post is not lost on me.
However, I think we have covered a wide range of topics that are readily available and feasible for people. Nothing on this list costs a considerable sum of money or is unlikely to be a possibility for you due to location or culture. That said, I am sure there are things I’ve missed. So feel free to drop us a line in the comments on your favorite ways to pass the time.
What are your go-to things to do when bored at home or with friends? We’re always open to adding things to the list and love to hear about your experiences in life. Don’t be shy.
