Whether you're away from friends and family members or just happen to have a lot of free time on your hands, it's natural for boredom to hit. After all, you can only browse social media so many times. And the new and popular Netflix offerings in your queue? They eventually end, too. So what can you do when a case of serious cabin fever and fed-up feelings strike? Get creative. Instead of going through your usual stay-at-home activities, like reading a new book, think about going outside your comfort zone by writing a letter to your future self or tackling your first DIY project. That's not all—below, we have a list of (mostly) free things you can do when you find yourself bored to tears, so that you can maintain some semblance of your sanity and keep yourself occupied.
If you're looking for something to pass the time yourself or are the parent or guardian of bored and uninspired kids and teens, we have some great solutions to keep you and them entertained. And who knows? The kids may even love some of the options we've rounded up here, like trying a TikTok dance challenge, facing off during a family game night, or enjoying an indoor picnic. There are more ways than one to help kick boredom to the curb than you might think. So please read on to find enjoyable things to while away those hours.
Create a Vision Board
Looking for a way to hold yourself accountable during this unpredictable season? No matter what your goals are—improving your relationship or to simply safeguard your mental health—creating a vision board can help you feel more centered (and pass lots of time at home). If you're unfamiliar, here are some useful tips to help you get started.
Sing Your Heart Out
Since you might not be visiting any karaoke bars for the foreseeable future, download Smule instead. This interactive app lets you sing live karaoke with friends around the world, complete with audio effects and visual features.
Host a Virtual "Netflix Party" with Your Friends
Whether you make it your goal to screen a bunch of Oscar-nominated movies or check off several original flicks on Netflix, one thing's for sure: You won't be bored for long. To invite friends over without leaving the comfort of your own houses, queue up Netflix Party, which lets friends and family stream and chat with each other in real time.
Do quotes, advice, and writing exercises straight from Lady O sound good to you? We thought so! This is weekly planner also has ample space for journaling, and features weekly intentions.
Write in Your Journal
To help you feel good in times of stress and anxiety, calm your mind by jotting your feelings down in a quality journal. A Harvard study found putting your thoughts on paper could help you better cope with the emotional fallout of stressful and traumatic events.
Have a Crafternoon
Make a DIY candle, whip up your own beauty products, or decorate for the season in one afternoon dedicated to craft-making.
Tackle Your Spring Cleaning
Whether you start with a series of mini projects or the whole house from top to bottom, a little spring cleaning is a great way to spend time and is something many people find cathartic.
Learn a New Skill on YouTube
Stimulate yourself by learning a new skill. No matter what you want to try—knitting, dancing, or cooking—chances are there's a YouTube video for that.
Toss Expired Makeup
Beauty products—that is, lotions, makeup brushes, soaps, and other cosmetics—expire after anywhere from six months to a few years, based on product and usage. When organizing, follow this rule of thumb: If it looks, smells, or feels weird, toss it. And maybe use this time to invest in a new makeup or cosmetic case to help you stay organized.
Clean Out Pantry Items
There are plenty of pantry staples that last for years on end, but others—like canned goods and spices—do need to be replaced periodically. Do a pass through your pantry and toss anything that's expired. Make a mental note to use anything with looming expiration dates.
Stream a Free Concert from Your Favorite Artist
Even though we're now well into this pandemic, you can still stream a variety of movies and live events that have been put online. Personally, we couldn't get enough of the Adele One Night Only concert special and interview last year, hosted by Lady O herself.
Do a Puzzle
Puzzles are not only stimulating but there's also evidence that they provide stress relief. Try your hand at a jigsaw puzzle or a challenging online crossword.
Take Your Book Club Online
One of the easiest ways to fight boredom is to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea. But if you miss your book club, consider hosting an event online. Apps like Zoom make it easy to turn your typical wine and cheese gathering into a digital experience with your friends (and we have plenty of questions to help you keep the conversation going).
Try a YouTube Beauty Tutorial
Beach waves, for example, suit just about every cut—from bobs to long tresses—but it's definitely a skill that takes a while to master. Why not use your free time to perfect the technique?
Give Yourself a Manicure or a Pedicure
Learn how to give yourself an at-home manicure—and, if you're feeling really brave, try your hand at some of the trendiest spring colors right now.
Decompress With an Adult Coloring Book
There's plenty of evidence that adult coloring books can help you cope with stress and anxiety, plus...have you seen those designs? They will take time to complete. Another worthy option when you're bored? This paint-by-numbers masterpiece recommended by Oprah herself.
Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Bored, but have a lot on your mind? Write a quick letter to yourself. It'll serve as a special keepsake to offer you unique perspective when you need it later.
Or Write Someone Else a Letter
Or, for more immediate satisfaction, make someone's day by surprising them with a piece of snail mail.
Stream a Workout
There are plenty of apps and streaming services that'll help you get your sweat on—right from the comfort of your living room. (As if you needed an other excuse to don your comfiest yoga pants.)
Try a New Recipe
Dust off those cookbooks (or jump on the internet) and pick out a new-to-you dish or cuisine. Or, if you like to follow a plant-based diet, consider trying Oprah's 30-Day meal plan for a recent challenge she did.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Jane Burnett is an Assistant Editor at Oprah Daily, where she writes a variety of lifestyle content for the editorial team. She's a journalist with a pop culture sweet tooth—when she isn't catching up on celebrity news, she's usually listening to a podcast! Jane was previously an on-air reporter in local news, and worked at Thrive Global, Ladders News, and Reuters. She also interned at CNBC through the Emma Bowen Foundation, and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
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