You ever catch yourself checking your phone… and then checking it again two seconds later like something magically changed? Yeah, same.
I was spending HOURS glued to screens… and not even enjoying it. I’d scroll through TikTok, bounce between tabs, check emails I didn’t need to check—and somehow feel more drained after relaxing than before. (Please tell me I’m not the only one?)
So I decided to experiment: What could I do for fun, without my phone, that didn’t feel like a chore or some perfect wellness routine I saw on Instagram?
Spoiler alert: There’s a lot of joy hiding in the little offline things.
Some made me laugh. Some made me feel like a kid again. Some were just surprisingly calming (even if they looked chaotic—looking at you, messy cookie decorating).
If you’ve ever thought, “I want to unplug, but I don’t want to be bored out of my mind,” this list is for you.
What would you actually do for fun if your phone wasn’t glued to your hand?
1. Make a snack board with whatever you have in the fridge
You don’t need to be a Pinterest mom or a charcuterie queen for this.
Just open that fridge, grab whatever’s hanging out in there—cheese that’s still good (probably), half an apple, some crackers, maybe a few rogue baby carrots—and lay it all out like you totally planned this moment.
Slice things up if you’re feeling fancy. Add a dollop of peanut butter. Fold your lunch meat like you’re on a cooking show. Suddenly it’s not leftovers—it’s a grazing experience.
Light a candle if you want to take it to the next level.
This is low-effort, high-reward joy. And honestly? You’ll feel weirdly proud of yourself when it’s done. (10/10 would recommend naming your creation something ridiculous like “Midweek Tapas” or “Fridge Finds Platter.”)
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2. Visit a local farmers’ market and buy one thing you’ve never tried before
It’s like a mini adventure, but with more produce and less chance of getting lost. Take a stroll through your local market—smell the fresh bread, sample a weird-looking cheese, wave at the person selling honey like you’re besties now.
Then here’s the twist: buy something you have zero clue what to do with.
That funky purple vegetable? Grab it. A jar labeled “fig jam with chili”? Yes, please.
Later, you can Google what to make with it (after your screen-free time, of course). But for now? Just enjoy the novelty. Markets are basically adult playgrounds—with peaches.
3. Play a board game or card game
You don’t need a whole crew for this—plenty of games are fun with two people (or even solo, if you’re feeling competitive with yourself).
Dust off Uno, dig out the deck of cards from that one drawer, or finally try that random game you impulse-bought two Christmases ago.
If you’re playing with someone, add a silly twist—like the loser has to do a dramatic reading of a cereal box or speak in an accent for the next round. TRUST me, it gets ridiculous real fast.
And if it’s just you? Solitaire, puzzles, or those brain-teaser games count too. It’s low-pressure fun that gives your brain something to chew on that isn’t just TikTok chaos.
4. Bake something nostalgic
Think back to whatever made you happy as a kid—banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, those box brownies with the extra gooey middle—and make that. Bonus points if it involves rainbow sprinkles.
No need to be fancy or follow a perfect recipe. This is about comfort, not culinary excellence. Burnt edges? Still delicious. Lumpy frosting? Totally on theme.
You can even turn it into an experience: blast 2000s throwback music, wear your fluffiest socks, and pretend you’re in a holiday baking montage. (Pro tip: licking the spoon is still elite behavior.)
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5. Rearrange a corner
Pick one little corner of your space—a shelf, a nightstand, your desk—and give it a tiny makeover.
Swap out books, light a new candle, steal a plant from another room (it won’t mind), or just tidy it up like you’re on a design show.
It takes like five minutes but somehow feels like your whole life just got a reset.
And when you sit down later, you’ll notice it and go, “Dang, look at me being all put together.”
6. Go on a walk and actually explore
Not your usual “power walk with a podcast in your ears” situation.
Leave your phone at home (or at least on airplane mode) and head outside with no plan.
Wander around a different street, look at the houses you never noticed, follow a trail just because it looks cool. Try to spot five weird or beautiful things. Bonus points if you say hi to someone’s dog.
It’s not about getting your steps in—it’s about noticing stuff for once. You might even feel a little clearer by the time you get back. (And your legs will thank you too.)
7. Host a no-phones night
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy—order pizza, put on a playlist, and actually talk to the people you’re with. You’d be shocked how fun a phone-free evening can be when everyone’s really there.
Try games, cook together, share funny stories, or do something ridiculous like a mini talent show. You’ll laugh way harder than you expect, and nobody has to worry about missing a text or “just checking something real quick.”
It’s like hanging out used to be before we all got glued to our screens. Kinda magical, honestly.
8. Thrift something weird
Head to your local thrift store and set a goal: find the weirdest or most random item that makes you smile. Maybe it’s a funky vase, a retro mug, or a painting of a cat in a hat (those exist, and they’re glorious).
Then bring it home and give it a place of honor. It doesn’t have to match anything. It just has to spark a little joy.
It’s like a treasure hunt for grown-ups—and way cheaper than therapy.
Plus, now you have a fun story to tell every time someone points at the glitter owl on your shelf.
9. Cook from memory
No recipes, no scrolling. Just grab a few ingredients and wing it. What’s the worst that could happen? (Okay, maybe don’t try this with raw chicken, but you get the idea.)
Pretend you’re a contestant on a cooking show with a mystery basket. Try recreating that meal your grandma used to make or throw together a stir-fry with whatever’s left in the fridge.
It might turn out amazing—or it might be a total mess. Either way, it’s fun, creative, and you end up with something to eat. Win-win.
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10. Plant something
You don’t need a backyard or a green thumb—just grab a little pot, scoop in some dirt, and plant something. Herbs, succulents, mystery seeds from the dollar bin—whatever you’ve got.
Watching something grow (even if it’s just a stubborn basil sprout) is surprisingly satisfying. Plus, plants are like low-maintenance pets that don’t judge your life choices.
Name it. Talk to it. Give it a personality if you want. Congratulations, you’re officially a plant parent.
11. Go to the library and pick a random book
Yes, libraries still exist. And they’re free.
Walk in, wander around, and pick out a book based only on the cover or the title. No Googling reviews. No scrolling through Goodreads.
You might end up with a hidden gem… or something so bad it’s hilarious. Either way, it’s an adventure—and there’s something kind of magical about flipping real pages in total silence.
Also, can we talk about how peaceful libraries are? It’s like entering a cozy, whispery time machine.
12. Do a puzzle
Dust off that puzzle box that’s been hiding in your closet since 2020, or grab one from a thrift shop or dollar store. It could be a classic jigsaw, a crossword, Sudoku, or one of those “escape room in a box” games if you’re feeling bold.
There’s something weirdly calming about snapping little pieces into place. It gives your brain something to do without overstimulating it—which, honestly, feels like a vacation in itself.
Also, it’s kind of the only time it’s socially acceptable to talk to yourself like, “Where the heck does this sky piece go?!”
13. Write a letter
Yep, an actual letter. With paper. And a pen. And your real human handwriting.
Write to a friend, a grandparent, your favorite teacher from third grade, or even yourself five years from now. You don’t need anything profound—just share what your week’s been like or tell them what snack you’re obsessed with.
Pop it in the mail or stash it in a drawer. Either way, it feels so different than typing something out. It’s personal, thoughtful, and kinda feels like time traveling.
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14. Try on everything in your closet
Not in a Marie Kondo kind of way—more like a “let’s play dress-up and see what still fits” kind of way. Put on outfits you forgot you owned. Mix pieces you’d never normally wear together. Throw on heels with pajama pants just to see what happens.
You’ll probably laugh at half of it, rediscover a few gems, and finally let go of those jeans that haven’t buttoned since 2018. It’s oddly freeing—and way more fun than doomscrolling in your old hoodie again.
And hey, if you end up with a full-on fashion show in your bedroom mirror? GO OFF.
15. Create a DIY spa night
We’re talking the works: face mask, fluffy robe, cucumber water (or wine, no judgment), and music that makes you feel like you’re in a fancy resort commercial.
Set the mood with a candle and dim lighting, slap on some lotion that smells expensive, and give yourself permission to relax like the queen you are.
No need to rush, no need to be productive—just chill.
And yes, you’re allowed to call it “spa night” even if it’s just you, a bath bomb, and a lukewarm shower. You earned it.
Thank you so much for reading 💛