Being alone can trigger many things in you - boredom, loneliness, anxiety. However, it can also be very engaging if you know exactly what to...
So what can you do to fight boredom? Here it comes The list of varied things you can do in your free time.
Get involved in a good cause
If you want to give something back to this world, take an evening to think about your next charitable cause. If you don't know where to start, think about the problems you see in everyday life. Tired of how people throw out their trash? Are you upset about global warming? Look at organizations working to address this issue.
You could also focus on what makes you happy. For example, if you love animals, you could volunteer at a local animal shelter.
Use the time to meditate
If you rarely have a quiet moment, use this time off to meditate. You could even make a whole evening out of it. Light candles, curl up in your sweatpants and find some guided meditations on YouTube. Start by sitting still for five minutes and then work your way up to longer times.
Take up a new hobby
If you've always wanted to learn how to paint or play an instrument, now's your chance. If you have time, you can learn almost anything you want online. All you need is time and dedication. You could even treat yourself to one-on-one classes where you get to meet new people.
have a nice dinner
Of course, you can also just get something to eat. However, there is something wonderful about cooking, especially when it is for yourself. Not only do you save yourself a lot of money, but the entire process of preparing and cleaning up offers you the opportunity to relax in a healthy way.
Test a new recipe or try interesting ingredients. When you're done, get the good plates out of your cupboard and sit down to enjoy the meal. When you make a big deal out of it—even if it's just a homemade pizza—everything tastes even better.
organize your life
Maybe it's worth it for the sense of accomplishment that comes after you've finished cleaning up. Pick a shelf, drawer, or closet that's untidy, and start cleaning and rearranging it. If you are happy with the result, move on to the next area. When you're done, look back and see how much better you feel and how beautiful your apartment looks. Even if you don't do anything else that night, you'll go to bed feeling both proud and content.
Send handwritten letters
Nothing beats getting real, humorous mail. So if you're feeling wordy, why not write a handwritten letter to special friends or family? Tell them how much they mean to you and how your life is better with them. You could also draw a picture, write an inside joke, or just say hello.
If you want to know exactly, take a piece of good stationery, sit somewhere comfortable, and let your thoughts run free. Who knows? It might even become a tradition for your friends to text you back, in the style of the old pen pals.
Start with your stack of books
Not every person needs a reminder to read their books, but if you've got a stack of dusty books lying around that you want to tackle, why not crack open one? If you haven't read a book since you were in school, let alone pick it up, you might find that you really enjoy reading now because you do it voluntarily and not because someone tells you to.
Plan your next vacation
Start planning your next vacation online - even if you won't be traveling in the near future. Even if you can't afford the trip just yet, it's still fun. So check out flight prices, browse cool hotel sites, or look for tips and advice for backpacking Europe.
Involving a good friend in the planning is definitely twice as much fun. If you both start fantasizing about a possible trip together and save money for it in the future, you can turn this fantastic idea into a reality. However, in the meantime, it can just be fun to talk about it and send each other photos of potential travel destinations.
Get out of your comfort zone
Sure, you could stay home in your sweatpants and call it a day. Or you could venture out into the world. Go to a class, a movie, or an art gallery, all by yourself. This type of experience is more than a nap or a massage. It expands your wealth of experience and intelligence, making you even more versatile than you already are.
Take an online course
You won't learn everything about political philosophy in an hour, but you can definitely get started by enrolling in a course online. For example, you can look at a university to see which courses or degree programs are offered there. Even a one-off course can be fun and broaden your horizons.
Create a movie list
You can also use your free time to make a list of movies you would like to see. This can be filmed by a certain director, films from a certain genre, or the long list of classics that you have never seen before. When you're done with your watchlist, you can then choose one (or two or three) of them to watch on your own. You'll end up feeling a little more sophisticated.
Follow one of your role models
You can also do the same for a favorite musician, author, or artist. Check them out, research their lives and read what is special about their work. And the best part? If you do this alone, you don't have to worry about sharing the same taste with others. Focus on who and what matters most to you and learn more about them.
Do a quick DIY project
You also have the option, for example, to repaint an entire dresser in a single evening. However, you can also focus on something more manageable, especially if you only have an hour or two. Just go to YouTube and search for something you want to tackle.
Fix something in your apartment
There is certainly something you can do in your apartment. Perhaps a doorknob is loose, the faucet is dripping, a lightbulb is broken, or the shelf is wobbly. If you do a little thing (because you have time), you will immediately feel much more successful.
Work on your resilience
If you find yourself feeling lonely, spending an evening (or day, or weekend) alone can help build your mental resilience. There are many resilience and positive thinking skills to develop. You can use your own time to develop these skills further.
Pick up a self-help book to get started, or watch some inspirational podcasts or YouTube videos. See this as an opportunity to feel comfortable in your own company. It does take some practice, but it's worth spending time alone.
date alone
Treat yourself to a date night with yourself. It's fun and relaxing to go to your favorite bar or restaurant, order your favorite drink or food, read a book, or meet new people. This can help you broaden your horizons while practicing self-care. But you can also stay at home and order take-out or just pop a frozen pizza in the oven, light some candles and put on your favorite album. As long as you're having fun with yourself, it counts as a date.
Get sporty
Being alone looks different for everyone. If you're craving something more active, we recommend going for a run in the park, playing a soccer ball, throwing hoops, or riding a bike. You might even try something new, like skateboarding or rock climbing—you never know what you're a natural at.
Take a photo tour
An activity where you can put your phone to good use? Grab your phone or camera and take a walk around your neighborhood to take photos of things you find interesting and/or beautiful. This increases your appreciation for your neighborhood and helps you be in the present. Plus, you have some great photos that you might be able to use for your next DIY project (or just for Instagram).
Try vlogging
You could also record all of this in video form and create a "vlog." Whether you post it online or not, it's a nice way to spend time with yourself, observing things around you, and reflecting on your thoughts. Bonus points are given if the video is funny.
create art
You don't have to think you're creative to enjoy painting. Just see what supplies you have lying around (magazines? old crayons?) or get some. For example, you can create a vision board. Just start with the intention to relax and calm down, or just have fun doing it. Be playful and bring some childlike energy back into your day.
Rearrange your space
Transforming your space can feel extremely liberating and satisfying. Whether it's your entire closet or just a bathroom drawer, every change can make a difference.
Move your couch to the other side of the room, hang pictures, swap out your pillows, or paint your walls. It will feel so good to make a fresh start.
Make a list of goals
What are your goals for today? For this week? For this year? Setting goals can increase our motivation. It's also a great way to fill your free time when you're alone or having a boring evening - whatever you want to call it. You can even go one step further and organize your goals, perhaps with an app like Trello.
go hiking
Another active option is a walk in a forest or near a patch of forest. Not only will this help you get more vitamin D, but it will also get you out of the house and provide a change of scenery. If you're stressed, you can even go for a meditative walk.
Just sit around
Or you can just...literally chill. Now more than ever you can find time to just be. In other words, if you don't want to do anything, just sit and stare. Or you lie back and let your thoughts run free. This can help you gain more clarity about your thought processes, relax after a long day, and find inner peace.
