Life & Travel
Boredom has a way of creeping up on us out of nowhere. We can be on our phones, scrolling through countless videos and venturing down endless rabbit holes before we ever notice the hours that have escaped us. With all the access we have to information, places to go, and new things to see, it makes you wonder how we ever find ourselves in a pit of boredom, roaming between our phone and fridge in the first place. So when the “blah” of life strikes, we all need a few antidotes to add color back into our most mundane moments.
July is Anti-Boredom Month which targets the subjective, yet commonly shared emotion of feeling a lack of stimulation or interest in their current activities or surroundings. While the cause and motive behind boredom differ from person to person, the common thread that ties most stints of boredom together is repetition and monotony.
From having a routine with no spontaneity to going from work to back home with no third place in between. Or the lack of hobbies or new interests, and only leaning on your phone for excitement and entertainment. All these factors and more can lead a person to feel unchallenged and even disconnected from a sense of purpose or meaning.
But life isn’t supposed to be dull and predictable. It should be spent doing the things that make us feel most alive and connected to adventure and novelty. And to help you combat boredom head-on, we’ve put together a list of fun and easy anti-boredom activities to spice up your life — no phone necessary.
Go For A Bike Ride.
One of the benefits of living in a city is that you don’t have to go far to grab a bike and ride through the city with your hair blowing in the air. Taking a bike ride not only allows you to connect with your inner child, but it allows you to see your city from a totally new perspective, all while moving your body. Let it rip!
Take A Class That Speaks To Your Interest.
With sites like ClassPass and Eventbrite, you’re only a click away from exploring your next hobbies. Search for classes that let you tap into old or budding interests like pottery, wine tasting, sewing, Pilates, or even trampoline jumping. The world is your oyster.
Binge-Watch A Cult Classic TV Series.
Have you ever had to sit on the internet sidelines while your mutuals debate about the storyline of a TV show you just never got into? Well, now’s your chance to see what all the hype was about. Shows like Succession, Game of Thrones, Snowfall, The Wire, Girlfriends, Scandal, and Grey’s Anatomy are must-see TV when boredom strikes — grab some popcorn and wine and tune in.
Do A Closet Cleanout/Refresh.
You’ve probably been eyeing the pill of unworn clothes in the back of your closet for some time now, and we’re not judging. All we’re suggesting is, why not take a casual Saturday morning to declutter, toss out, and reorganize your space to let in new things? You’ll feel lighter, and you may even get to give away those things to a good cause or get a couple of bucks from selling them. It’s a win-win.
Learn How To Do A New Braided Hairstyle.
Sure, not every Black woman was born with the superpower to braid her own hair, but that’s what YouTube University is for. If you’re not in the mood to drop $500 on a new knotless braid style and just want to try it out on yourself at home, pull up a YouTube tutorial and get to braiding away. You’ll get a new hairdo out of it, and you’ve killed some time.
Teach Yourself How To Crochet.
One skill that tends to get overlooked is crocheting. Not only is it a hobby that’s easy to follow and pick up, but you end up being able to create one-of-its-kind pieces that you can keep to yourself or gift to your loved one. The flow of the technique will put your mind at ease, and you’ll be only a few hours away from your next knitted creation.
Pamper Yourself With An At-Home Mani/Pedi.
We’re in a recession, so with the cost of most things going up, why not take one thing off yourmaintenance budget and try it at home? Run some warm water, select your colors, grab your tools, and get to the glam.
Start A Book You’ve Been Meaning To Read.
It’s safe to say that we all have a mini library growing in our apartment of books we bought with full intentions to read but never quite got around to it. Then we bought another for the cover art and another because BookTok recommended it. We get it. Now’s your chance to take your pick from your at-home bookstore and get lost in the pages of a new story.
Draw In An Adult Coloring Book.
The beautiful thing about coloring books is that there is no age limit to who can use one. Grab one with intricate details or one with your favorite childhood characters in it. You can never go wrong with a coloring session.
Cook Or Bake A New Recipe.
Is the “recipes” folder saved in your TikTok getting a little full? Well, there’s no time like the present to hit up the grocery store to buy your favorite ingredients and wipe up a new baked good or full-course meal. Treat yourself.
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