Do you get bored easily? Or do you find that you aren’t enjoying your hobbies as much as you used to?
Whether you lead a busy life and need to catch a quick break through the day, or you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to pass the time, you need some entertainment. In some ways, the world we live in is designed to throw endless choices of entertainment at us. But this can lead to a very weird feeling where you’re almost paralyzed by choice.
You don’t fancy doing anything, so you end up doing nothing. Or maybe you end up doomscrolling on social media until, before you know it, you’re out of time.
So, here are some of the best ways to keep yourself busy and entertained, without feeling like you’ve wasted your time. Whether you’re trying to stave off boredom while traveling solo, or you just want to find a relatively cheap hobby for home, check out the following ideas.
1. Listening to a Book or Podcast
Reading is one of the simplest hobbies to have, and it can be really rewarding. When you read, you can learn about different things and hear different viewpoints. Fiction can transport you to another world and immerse you in a story.
Some people like the idea of reading, but not the action. You might like stories, but you might read slowly or find it hard to put aside time to just read.
One way to get around this is to listen to audiobooks. This way, someone is reading to you. You might find it easier to concentrate on the story this way, and you’re also able to do other things like drive, work out, or do simple chores.
As well as listening to audiobooks, you can listen to podcasts and learn about what other people are talking about. There’s a podcast out there for nearly everyone, you just have to listen and shop around.
2. Treating Yourself
If you’re out and about, a nice way to keep yourself busy and entertained for a few minutes is to treat yourself to something you enjoy. Shopping is the expensive option, but even sitting in a nice bakery and really savoring a pastry and a cup of coffee can be a great highlight of your day.
While it’s nice to spend time with other people, there’s nothing wrong with being alone with your own thoughts while enjoying a treat.
3. Playing a Game
The world has changed since video games jumped onto the entertainment scene. Video games now include complex characters and rich stories that you can get your teeth into.
But you don’t have to dive into the gaming lifestyle to enjoy a few video games. For example, a simple game of spades on your computer or phone can wile away a few minutes while keeping your mind active.
You can play games on the go or in the comfort of your own home. But be careful, you might find that time goes more quickly than you expected!
4. People Watch
People watching is a fantastic way to pass the time, because you don’t need anything other than a bit of time and imagination. The art to people watching isn’t just to stare at people passing by, but to come up with stories about them and wonder why they’re there.
You can get a surprising snapshot into someone’s life in the few seconds it takes them to walk past. You will also gain a new kind of appreciation for how varied a city or town is.
As you can imagine, people watching is best in cities where people of all sorts will walk past. But no matter where you are, settle down for a few minutes and just soak things in.
5. Spending Time With Friends
A lot of these ideas are ways that you can entertain yourself without anyone else with you. But if you’ve got good friends, you know that everything is much more fun with great company.
Humans are designed to interact socially, so it’s also a part of a healthy lifestyle to try to spend time with your loved ones. Meeting up with a friend doesn’t mean arranging a huge adventure or party.
You can always go for a walk, meet for coffee, or even hang out in the house and watch a film.
When you’re with your friends, you can set the world to rights and even talk about things that are bothering you. You’ll always feel better and that time will absolutely fly by.
6. Learning an Instrument
One of the most productive ways to entertain yourself is to pick up a useful skill. We’re picking on learning an instrument for now, but there are so many skills to choose from.
Learning an instrument is a great new skill to pick up, because it opens you up to different options. You can pass the time jamming or playing your favorite songs, all while getting some practice in. You can also find other people to play with.
It’s also good for your brain to learn new skills. You don’t have to be an expert to see signs of improvement. Try recording yourself at different stages of learning so you can track your progress.
There’s an increased pressure to monetize your skills and hobbies lately, but it’s important to keep something for yourself. You don’t have to be an expert to have fun.
7. Writing
Speaking of hobbies, a fantastic way to pass a few minutes or a few hours is to write. You can write pretty much anything.
Journalling is a healthy way to work through events and emotions. You can also write poetry or short stories. Even if you never publish anything, your writing has value and it can be a great deal of fun.
