Boredom is a perfect breeding ground for inspiration. When bored, you may find yourself interested in a new hobby or appreciating things you wouldn’t try on a regular day. 

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1. Watch a new documentary. There are many great documentaries covering just about every topic, from true crime to nature and wildlife to environmental and social issues. Defeat the Sunday blues by learning something new about the world.

2. Find a new music artist to listen to. If you’re tired of your usual playlists, discovering fresh talent can be a great way to shake things up. Platforms like Spotify regularly spotlight up-and-coming musicians through initiatives like “Artists to Watch,” making it easy to find emerging talent before they hit the mainstream.

3. Invite friends over for an old movie marathon. Many franchises are worth rewatching. Revisiting movies like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and The Hunger Games can be a great way to beat boredom. There’s something special about rewatching old movies; you often notice details you may have overlooked the first time. Is it time to grab your PJs?

4. Put together a challenging puzzle. This might seem old-fashioned, but whether you’re looking to test your skills with a solo puzzle or seeking a fun activity for date night, tackling a puzzle is an excellent way to engage your mind and banish boredom.

5. Add some color to your home with fresh flowers. On gloomy, overcast days, a splash of color can be just what you need. One of the best ways to spruce up your space is by picking up vibrant flower arrangements and setting them in your living room or kitchen. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even throw some petals in a bath.

6. Visit your local aquarium or history museum. Many people overlook the hidden gems in their own city. Local aquariums and museums are constantly upping their game with fresh exhibits and fun activities, often featuring special discounts on certain days. So, when you have time to kill, why not dive into your city’s offerings and discover something new?

Productive Things to Do

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8. Get your hands dirty and clean those neglected areas of your house. Vacuum under the TV, wipe the dust off the top of the fridge and clean out the junk drawer. You will feel much better in a cleaner space. Dyson has some amazing tips for getting into those hard-to-reach spaces.

9. Give your smartphone a good cleanse. We hate those pesky notifications that our storage is low, and it’s because we’ve been hoarding old screenshots and unused apps. Delete those old social media apps, and you’ll feel much better with a clutter-free phone.

10. Get into the festive spirit by starting your Christmas shopping early. Companies run deals year-round, and it’s great to take advantage and stock up on some Christmas gifts so that when the holidays roll around, you aren’t frantically buying presents and accidentally forgetting to get your Mom a nice outfit.

11. Declutter your closet and donate your clothes. We’ve all been guilty of cleaning out our closets, stuffing the clothes into bags, and then forgetting to donate the bag of clothes. Martha Stewart gives the best advice on where to donate clothes, “Instead of throwing away garments you don’t wear anymore, consider giving away any unwanted items to those who need them most.” While this might not be your go-to method of defeating boredom, it will make you feel much better.

12. Organize your week. Organizing your week will make you feel ready to tackle anything. It will also prevent you from overbooking, so you will have a more enjoyable week since everything is planned.

13. Don’t give into the nightly sugar cravings with weekly meal prep. When you get home late from work, sometimes all you want is to grab some fast food and relax. By meal prepping some protein and veggies, you will feel less tempted to buy food and feel overall healthier. Don’t forget to treat yourself to the glazed donut at the end of the week — it’s all about balance, right?

Creative Things to Do

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14. Beat the boredom by playing an old-school board game. There are so many fun board games that you probably haven’t played since childhood. It’s a great way to bring back fond memories and dive into an activity you once loved.

15. Write out your dreams and wishes on a bucket list. It’s great to have goals and desires that you want to achieve. You might even have a place you’ve always wanted to visit. Let your mind wander, write it down, and plan action towards achieving those bucket list ideas.

16. Research your family history. Everyone’s family has an origin story. Many families have migrated from other countries, and it’s important to know your family’s history. You can ask some relatives and find out all about their past.

17. Host an escape room party. There are many escape rooms, including robbery-themed, horror, movie, and TV show-inspired rooms. Not only are they enjoyable, but they are also challenging, and anyone can participate. Many of these establishments will allow you to host a party, and it’s the perfect birthday gift for friends who want to do something unique for their celebratory day.

18. Brush off your boredom with a painting class. Paint classes are a great way to test your artistic skills and find out if you can paint like Picasso or if your watercolor skills need some work. Certain painting classes even provide wine, transforming your creative session into a fun DIY abstract art experience.

19. Learn a magic trick and watch the boredom vanish! When you’re chatting with people, and the conversation gets dull, whip out a magic trick, and you’ll make a lasting impression. Magic tricks are the perfect way to liven up the mood and impress anyone.

20. Do a virtual tour of a foreign city. After creating your bucket list with the places you’ve always wanted to visit, you can do a virtual tour online. If you want to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, there’s a tour that will help you do so. It’s impossible to get bored if you’re “in another country,” enjoying its beauty — let your imagination run free.

Social Things to Do

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21. Call your friends and family. Sometimes, we get too comfortable sending a quick text message and think that’s enough. Since we aren’t hearing each other’s voices daily, it’s a more meaningful experience to have a voice conversation with your loved ones. You can even teach grandma how to hop on a Zoom call — she’ll love it!

22. Volunteer at a local animal shelter. It’s wonderful to give back to the community, and by volunteering at a local animal shelter might just bring joy to some lonely animals.

23. Book a karaoke room and hit those high notes. Not everyone can sing like Mariah Carey, but it’s fun to try. Book a karaoke room for some friends and choose your favorite artists, whether it’s Taylor Swift or Queen. We’re sure they won’t judge your singing skills.

24. Skate into the weekend and hit the rink. Dust off those old rollerskates! Some roller inks play old-school music and even current hits. Check out their website or Instagram page and pick a night to hit the town. It’s the ultimate way to defeat the boredom.

25. Enjoy a game of mini golf — it’s the perfect day for a hole-in-one! Minigolf is another fun outdoor activity. It can be very challenging, and if you’re really bored, you can pretend you’re a pro golfer.

26. Dance the boredom away on the dance floor. Some people are naturally great dancers, and some have two left feet. Test your rhythm skills at a local dance class by yourself or bring your friends.

Outdoor and Active Things to Do

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27. Elevate your adventurous hike and take photos. Look up the best hiking spots and go for a walk. Take some nature photos along the way, print them, and even frame them above your furniture. It’s the perfect way to transform your house and create fond memories.

28. Explore your neighborhood and all its wonders. It’s easy to get lost in day-to-day activities and errands. We often forget about the local shops and stores in our neighborhoods. Take a day to explore your town.

29. Inhale peace and exhale boredom by practicing yoga in the park. Join an outdoor yoga class, or just bring a mat and start stretching. It can be more enjoyable if you bring a snack or lunch and make a whole day out of it.

30. Friends, food, and sunshine make a perfect picnic day. Tell your friends to bring their favorite dish, share the recipe, and eat in someone’s backyard.

31. Teach your pet a new trick. Some dogs and cats can do fancy tricks like jumping through a hoop or shaking their paw.

32. Get outside and plant a herb garden in your yard. Grocery prices keep increasing – cut back on the shopping bill by planting fresh herbs in your kitchen. Not only does it help with boredom.

33. Light up your life by stargazing. Engaging in an activity you haven’t done since childhood is always fun. Lying down and looking at the stars will help the boredom and give you a new appreciation of the world.

Mindfulness and Relaxing Things to Do

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34. Find your inner peace and meditate. Take a break, quiet the mind, and meditate by listening to a video online. There are videos that are as short as five minutes and as long as one hour. Headspace offers different types of meditation for every issue that arises, including stress, focus, and sleep. Those deep meditations can lead to a much-needed nap.

35. Put pen to paper and capture your memories in a diary. Whenever you’re winding down from your day, it’s easy to pick up the phone and mindlessly scroll on your phone. Life happens so quickly, and it’s easy to forget impactful moments and their associated feelings. Writing them in a diary or journal will help reflect and reflect on memories.

36. Read a book from a genre you don’t usually read. Reading a book isn’t only great for mental health, but reading a book from a different genre can help expand your mind and push them out of their comfort zone.

37. Stay sane by practicing mindfulness and doing a deep breathing exercise. Breathing exercises are incredible, and incorporating them into an everyday routine can be beneficial. They help to calm the nervous system, and you’ll feel so relaxed that you will forget you were ever bored.

38. Go from bored to refreshed by treating yourself to a spa day. Everyone needs a spa day. Getting a massage or facial can help you feel relaxed and good about yourself.

Learning and Self-Improvement Activities

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39. Learn to say “I’m not bored” in a new language. Learning a new language can be challenging and rewarding. Try learning a few words in a new language, then keep going. It’s hard to be bored when the mind is being challenged.

40. Take a free online course. So many free courses are available online or even at a local library. Even if you’re not in school, it’s always great to keep learning and expanding your mind.

41. Watch a program on the History Channel. The History Channel has many shows dedicated to different historical topics. It can be hard to pick something to watch when nothing seems appealing. Put on a History Channel show and take pleasure in learning historical facts.

42. Listen to an educational podcast and deepen your understanding of a new topic. If watching TV or reading a book isn’t appealing, you can always listen to an educational podcast. There are podcasts that cover science, money management, art, and even motivational podcasts.

43. Complete your tax return, and then reward yourself. Everyone dislikes tax season, and we’ve all been guilty of putting it off. Take a day to finish those taxes, and then use a spa day as a reward to help manage your stress levels.

44. Have a PowerPoint party about an absurd topic. PowerPoint parties have recently become popular. A group of friends pick a topic they are passionate about and present that topic as if it were a serious school presentation. You can make it as educational or as silly as you want.

Random and Unexpected Things to Try

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45. Give your taste buds something new to try. Discover some new restaurants and try something different. With fresh and diverse dining options popping up all the time, it’s the perfect opportunity to pick a night and dive into something unique.

46. Cook someone else’s favorite meal. Challenge your cooking skills and cook someone else’s favorite meal. This will help you come up with new recipe ideas and make someone else very happy.

47. If you’re wondering what to do next— join a book club. Numerous book clubs are available, including online options and those started by celebrities that anyone can join. According to Elle, “In recent years, celebrity book clubs have gained immense popularity” — there’s a good reason for that.

48. Go to a live taping of a TV show. There are sitcoms, talk shows, game shows, and competition shows that offer live tapings you can attend. Not only is it fun to do when you’re bored, but you get to watch your favorite show in real-time, and it’s free.

49. Be brave and learn survivalist skills online. This might be a crazy idea, but it’s definitely unique and fun to add to your list. There are online courses that teach you how to start a fire, how to survive if you get lost in a remote part of the woods, and even how to hunt.

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