Do you constantly find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone? Over the past few months, my screen time has skyrocketed past limits I didn’t think were possible. During the summer I was busy as my schedule was full with work, summer classes, and the outside activities that came with the warm weather. Though as the cold months roll around, I find myself craving the cozy comfort of my bed and the familiar comfort of social media. Yet, there’s so much more to do and fill your days with to continue to be extremely educated. I’ve taken it upon myself to discover new hobbies to keep my mind stimulated, to continue to grow as a person, but also to have fun and get natural serotonin boosts. Here are a few of my favorites.
Baking is my absolute favorite way to spend a chilly autumn day inside. All you need is a little flour, sugar, and a couple of hours to focus your mind on a super sweet outcome. Recently, I’ve baked chocolate chip banana bread muffins, as well as brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Baking helps clear my mind while also spending quality time with myself. I allow myself to focus on the details on mixing and decorating, rather than spiraling on the stressors of my daily life. While I enjoy baking alone, it doesn’t have to be solitary. Often, my friends will come out and join me in the kitchen, taste testing and talking, allowing me to get social interaction while not being stuck to my phone.
Journaling can be overwhelming to some, but the open concept of the art is extremely inviting. There’s bullet journaling, junk journaling, as well as just keeping a personal diary. You don’t need a schedule for journaling, it can just be something you pick up when you have a creative spark. I like to journal at night when I feel overwhelmed, allowing myself an outlet for my emotions. However, I also enjoy creating pages that memorialize who I am at that moment, like writing my favorite songs or shows that I’m watching at the moment. Your journal can be whatever you make of it.
While online, I love hearing outlandish or fantastical stories that others relate to their audience. Reading scratches the same itch I have for storytelling. My favorite genres now are murder mysteries and gothic novels. There is a genre for everyone, whether you like action, science fiction, or romance. I often find myself starting a book, and continuing it for hours, with no inclination to grab my phone. Alongside this hobby you can also find and stroll through new or, my personal favorite, used bookstores to find new books that capture your own interests.
Staying active doesn’t always have to mean going to the gym. I’ve found that my favorite ways to stay fit involve constant movement, like running, dancing, biking, or playing pickleball. I love to try a new sport that keeps my blood pumping, while also not being too strenuous. It doesn’t have to be a competition. The best form of exercise I’ve found for myself has been yoga and light stretching. It clears my mind while also allowing me to connect with my body and soul. It keeps me feeling rooted and connected, rather than the disconnected feeling I get from my phone.
It’s perfectly okay to spend time on our phones, however it’s important we make sure our lives aren’t spent entirely online. Life can be hard and sometimes we need a break, however there are natural and healthy ways to destress and keep our brains sharp. After all, hot girls have hobbies, so choose something fun and interesting to you and continue to better yourself!