There are a lot of productive things to do when bored that will save you time later. So why deal with boredom when you can use the time efficiently?
There’s no better time to do all the things you’ve been putting off doing than when you’re bored.
What To Do When You Are Doing Nothing
If you really and truly have nothing to do, why not focus on the things you know you should be doing?
Chances are there’s laundry to fold or dishes to clean, but if you felt like doing your regular chores, you wouldn’t be bored.
By focusing on the tasks you rarely think about, you can actually get a lot accomplished.
Productive Things to Do When Bored
Don’t waste your time just hanging out being bored to death. There are so many activities that can be done to make better use of your time.
Here are some simple ways to be productive instead.
1. Update Social Media Profiles
We don’t mean posting some cute pictures of your kids or updating your work history.
Every so often, it’s beneficial to have a good look at your social media accounts. That’s why it tops the list of productive things to do when bored.
Check your privacy settings to make sure you’re not sharing more information that you want to be.
If there’s anyone who you don’t want to check in on you, make sure they’re blocked from seeing your content. Edit your friends lists and the people you follow.
Do you really need to be friends with the woman who worked in the cubicle next to you seven years ago? Maybe not.
Keeping your social media profile settings up to date is something you should do regularly anyway. No better time to do it than when you’re bored.
2. Learn a New Skill or Hobby
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to knit, sew, crochet, do origami, or learn a new language, what are you waiting for?
One of the best things you can do when boredom sets in is to learn a new skill.
If you’ve always wanted to ride a motorcycle, read up on different kinds of bikes and the pros and cons of each.
Interested in learning piano? Read up on how to read sheet music.
You might not be doing the thing you’ve been wondering about, but you are learning things that are essential to learning it in the future.
3. Clean and Organize
Yeah, yeah, we know this is probably the most obvious productive things to do when bored. But think about cleaning the things that you don’t normally touch.
Dig out all your mismatched socks and try to make pairs. Organize that drawer in the kitchen that’s always full of who-knows-what.
Clean the jars on your spice rack. Go through your medicine cabinet and throw away anything that’s expired.
Do all those little tasks that you know you should do but that you never seem to have time for. No is the time to do these things if you’re bored.
4. Make a To Do List
A “To Do” list can be as involved as you want. It’s one of the best productive things to do when bored that will give you more tasks to complete to keep you active.
Focus on the next week and the work meetings you have to prep for and all the things you want to get done before the weekend. Or, make one that covers a month or even a year.
You can even come up with a 5-year plan if you want to.
If you spend the time you are bored planning how to be productive later, you’re still making good use of your time.
As a bonus, checking things off your to-do list down the road will feel so good.
5. Clean out Your Purse or Wallet
Your wallet probably has a lot of old receipts. And there may even an expired credit card or two.
Your purse might have old tissues, make-up at the bottom that’s past its expiration date, loose coins, and even old diapers or pacifiers if you have young kids.
This is the kind of thing that you probably think about doing every time your reach in your purse or open your wallet but never get around to. Now’s the perfect time.
6. Purge Your Closet
Take a good look at the clothes you have hanging up in there and when you actually wore each item of clothing last.
Maybe you’re holding onto a pair of jeans from high school that you’re hoping to fit into again one day or you have a bridesmaid’s dress that you feel guilty getting rid of.
Pull out anything that doesn’t make it into your regular rotation and either donate it or throw it away. And, you can sell those items online to make some extra cash and save money.
7. Make a Menu and Grocery List for the Week
If you’re into meal planning, plan out your week when you’re bored at home. If you’re not into it yet, it’s the perfect time to start.
Plan a week’s worth of dinners and make a grocery list as you go along.
If you still have time after that, move onto figuring out breakfast and what you can easily use as leftovers for lunch. That’s one less thing you’ll have to do later.
8. Schedule Your Appointments
Do you have dentist and doctors’ appointments scheduled for you and your family?
What about your pets’ vet appointments? Eye doctor? Hair salon? Manicure? What about car inspections and oil changes?
Get out your planner and review your schedule. Check to make sure you have all the important things booked.
9. Teach Yourself a New Recipe
Did you recently go to a new restaurant and have a meal that you can’t stop thinking of?
Or maybe you just saw one of those cooking shows on television where they just make it look so easy to make something looks so delicious?
If you’re interested in upping your kitchen game, open to a random recipe in a cookbook and head to the store. You’ll not only get a delicious meal out of it, you’ll also learn some new skills.
10. Update Your Contacts
How many times have you started to write an email and it auto-suggests the address of someone that you don’t even remember?
If you go through your address book and get rid of all the people that you don’t remember, that won’t happen anymore. You can do the same with your phone contacts, too.
And this is simplest productive things to do when bored that will make it easier to find the contact you’re looking for later.
11. Go Outside
Go for a walk. Ride your bicycle. Find a new hiking trail. Take your kids to the park. If you’re bored, fresh air will boost your motivation.
Alli Smith says
I need to update my contacts and clean out my purse when I get the time. I’m rarely bored but these are all excellent ways to beat boredom.
Jeanette says
I think my kiddo can you something like this. Summertime is fun but it also equals the dreaded phrase “I am bored”. There is a lot of great ideas here. Some of them are incredibly productive and I think that would be a great idea for my kiddo.
Tasheena says
I really enjoyed reading this post. These are really helpful tips. I love the idea of creating a to-do list and learning a new hobby.
Leona says
Glad it was helpful!
Tammy says
I usually clean out a drawer, wash clothes, clean up my office or relax.
Gisele says
I used to get bored when I was young but as an “almost senior” I never get bored. As a matter of fact I have so much to do I can’t keep up. This is a great post though!
Leona says
Great that you are keeping yourself busy!
Amber Myers says
Great ideas! I actually just cleaned out my daughter’s closet. It was a mess. When I’m bored, I do try to clean and organize.
Wildish says
I do a lot of these things but there are 2-3 I’ve never thought about doing before. I’ll have to keep these in mind next time.
Leona says
Hope they help you sleep better and wake easier.
lisalisa says
This is a great post and so me at times! If I’m not working I get bored so fast and the next time I do I’m going to think about your tips. I would love to learn a new recipe or even clean out my purse lol, it needs it!
Melanie says
I haven’t been bored in years! Haha! As a mom of wild triplet boys, I haven’t had nothing to do in a very long time. It is always go-go-go around our house.
Leona says
Triplets can certainly do that!
sara says
Unfortunately, as a Mom to 5 kids, I am NEVER bored! But, my kids are often bored so I found a few good ideas on this list to give to them. It is always funny when the kids say they are bored and I offer them jobs, they get super busy, hahaha.
Leona says
It’s always good to keep the kids busy and productive!
Roch says
Cleaning the closet, vacuuming the floor, and updating my finances are three things I always do during the weekend. These keep me busy and give me a good feeling. I also like organizing things.
Leona says
Those are perfect weekend chores.
Heather says
If I have the time, I will definitely find the time to organize something or maybe I’ll paint a room.
Carol Cassara says
Awesome suggestions. If you’re bored then it’s a good time to be productive and finish stuff that you’ve been putting off for some time now. It’s good to declutter and have everything organized and cleaned!
Chubskulit Rose says
I agree, with a lot of things to do even just around the house,m boredom does not have a room in my book. This is a great guide.
peter says
i’m long overdue for the purging of my closet. i don’t find myself bored that often but when i do have spare time, i could really stand to update my contacts as well
Leona says
I’m in need of that one too. I try to do it at least twice a year.
Cheryl says
Great tips! I do some of these but haven’t even thought about updating contacts.
Leona says
I find it a great way to pass the time while waiting in lines.
Meeta says
I am never bored at home! I have such a packed routine and find I am extremely productive when I am at home. I am a food photographer and if I find that I have spare time on my hands I just go and take pictures in my studio. A great guide to beat the boredom.
Leona says
Sounds like you are being very productive!
Heather says
I already spend too much time on social media, so that’s definitely not on my list to do when I get bored. Then again… I’m always so busy so I haven’t been bored in years.
Bohemian Babushka says
There’s a difference between boredom and having nothing to do. Gracias for the excelente suggestions, there’s a few there that Babushka definitely will be doing. BB2U
Leona says
So true!
Anosa Malanga says
Such good tips and suggestions. Probably one of the things I do is cleaning up my wallet. Haha! I guess I need to try doing new hobby then.
Jenny says
Every time I’m feeling bored, I’m writing down my plans for the whole month on my bullet journal. I really enjoy doing it. Also, I tend to clean up what’s inside my bag.