This list of 125 things to do instead of being on your phone will inspire you to spend your time in a more meaningful, enjoyable way.
In the last two decades, phones have become most people’s most used (and cherished) possessions.
As weird as it may sound, phones (particularly cell phones) have become our best friends, allowing us to do things we’d have never imagined not so long ago.
Of course, we can call and text people.
But we can now also take pictures, browse the internet, film, and chat with someone at the other end of the world.
Our cell phones are also multipurpose tools we use as alarm clocks, calendars, or even music players.
It’s no surprise that Americans spend on average between four and five hours per day on their small devices!
But despite all the benefits that come with owning a phone, we have become addicted to them and spend way too much time on them.
Break this bad habit by giving one of these 125 awesome things to do instead of being on your phone a try!
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Why you should stop being on your phone all the time
While phones are great tools that make some aspects of life easier, using them too much has many drawbacks.
One of the main ones is that they prevent us from being in the present moment.
Whenever I find myself stuck on my phone, I often realize that all the time spent in this virtual world is time not spent enjoying my real life.
I find that I am missing out on my life and what it has to offer, and not paying attention to what truly matters.
When I embraced slow living a couple of years ago, I decided that I would spend as little time on my phone as possible, and I’ve never looked back!
Another thing I hate about phones and particularly social media is that they make us fall into the comparison trap.
We feel like other people have better lives, and we thus end up feeling discontent.
And ironically, social media prevents us from having real, face-to-face interactions.
Overall, spending a lot of time on our phones can harm our mental health and well-being.
It also steals away so much time from our lives, which is such a shame!
Time is the most precious thing we have on earth, so we should use it wisely.
If you want to break free from your phone addiction, check out my best digital minimalism tips!
They will help you be more mindful of how you use your devices.
Also, consider doing some of the following things instead of being on your phone all the time.
These lists include things to do outside as well as at home, so you will always know what to do whenever you’re tempted to reach for your phone!
125 awesome things to do instead of being on your phone
Things to do outside instead of being on your phone
- Go for a walk
- Read in the nearby park
- Plant some plants in the garden
- Go to the gym
- Visit a farm
- Admire trees and plants in your neighborhood
- Relax on the beach
- Visit your local farmer’s market
- Go for a run
- Play in nature with your kids
- Explore the local forest
- Meet with a friend
- Visit a museum
- Enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant
- Go to the theater with a loved one
- Go for a bike ride
- Have a picnic
- Visit your neighbors
- Walk your dog
- Go foraging
- Birdwatch
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Go to a new café
- Meditate surrounded by chirping birds
- Go for a hike
- Have a bonfire with your friends
- Volunteer
- Go stargazing at night
- Swim in the sea or a lake
- Go thrifting (learn more about the amazing benefits of second-hand shopping and things to look for at thrift stores!)
- Try walking barefoot on the grass
- Sunbath (don’t forget your sunscreen and sun hat)
- Visit the library and borrow some books
- Try surfing
- Go camping
Productive things to do instead of being on your phone
- Clean out your closet
- Empty your email inbox
- Unsubscribe from unwanted subscriptions (whether that’s an email newsletter or a streaming service)
- Sew up holes in your clothes
- Schedule and book all your doctors’ appointments
- Do the laundry
- Plan your next trip
- Declutter an area of your home (you’ve probably forgotten about these 18 ones!)
- Cook a few meals in advance
- Deep clean your home (dust, mop, vacuum)
- Make a vision board
- Recycle all those unnecessary piles of paperwork
- Water your plants and give them some love
- Fix something that’s broken
- Go grocery shopping
- List some things for sale
- Check the expiration dates in your pantry, fridge, freezer, and bathroom cabinets
- Start a donation box and fill it with things you don’t use
- Change your sheets and towels
- Write a to-do list
- Start a compost in your garden
- Clean your car (inside and out)
- Declutter your basement/attic/garage
- Plan your next home improvement project
- Do a work-out
- Make a budget for the month
- Empty your trash can and take the recycling out
- Find a textile recycling program in your area
- Look at your schedule and see what commitments you can eliminate
- Take a course
Relaxing things to do at home
- Take a nap
- Read a book
- Do a puzzle
- Write in your journal
- Hug a loved one (your spouse, kids, pets…)
- Listen to music
- Color in a coloring book
- Look out the window and pay attention to what is happening
- Do some light stretches
- Relax in your garden or balcony
- Watch a movie you’ve been wanting to watch for a while
- Apply lotion all over your body
- Bake some delicious treats and share them with your neighbors
- Meditate in silence
- Watch your favorite TV series
- Take a shower or bath
- Open the windows and breathe in the fresh air
- Listen to a podcast
- Play a video game
- Spend time with a loved one
- Have a conversation with your spouse or kids
- Read inspirational quotes
- Make yourself a nice cup of tea or hot cocoa and enjoy every sip
- Do nothing and notice the little things around you
- Look through your photo albums
- Take care of your skin
- Sing a song
- Build a fort with your kids
- Write a gratitude list
- Diffuse essential oils
Hobbies to try (that you’ll love!)
- Do yoga
- DIY your own cosmetics
- Learn a new language
- Traveling
- Play a ball game with friends
- Knitting
- Crochet
- Embroidery
- Calligraphy
- Pick up trash in nature
- Draw
- Paint
- Horse riding
- Gardening
- Learn how to play an instrument
- Cooking (try out some new recipes!)
- Write a story
- Scrapbooking
- Play board games with your friends or family
- Make pottery
- Pilates
- Rollerblading
- Bowling
- Mountain biking
- Weight lifting
- Take a dance class
- Play sports with your kids
- Try snow sports in the winter (skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating…)
- Start a blog
- Photography
Final thoughts on these awesome things to do instead of being on your phone
I hope this list of 125 awesome things to do instead of being on your phone helped you get back control over how often and how long you use your tiny device!
Most of us feel addicted to our phones.
We check it even when we only have one minute of free time.
We just can’t help it and it’s so hard to control ourselves.
Yet, we need to remember that real life is happening now, and spending too much time staring at a screen prevents us from enjoying it to the fullest.
The world.
Nature.
People we love.
Things we enjoy.
The simple joys of life.
All these things are here, NOW.
So we’d better pay attention to them while they’re still there instead of wasting our time on our meaningless phones!
For more inspiration and ideas, read my blog post about 50 things to do when you’re bored at home.
I also have an entire article about how to live a simple life in a modern world, which might interest you.
What are your favorite things to do instead of being on your phone?
I’d love to know what you like doing in your free time!
Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends to inspire them to put their devices down and help them find ideas for things to do instead of reaching for their phones.