What to Do When You are Bored at Home Alone

What to do when you are bored at home alone? If you are looking to do something different, here is a list of great ideas for you. What’s special about all of these activities? They are all fun and most of them are free!

What to do when you are bored at home alone

Go for a run

There is nothing better and easier for your health than going for a run. All you need is a pair of running shoes, a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. Get out the door and let fresh air fill up your lungs. You may even be able to spot some naughty squirrels, or bump into someone you know!

Go for a walk

If running is not your thing, why not go for a walk? This low-impact activity not only can provide some great health benefits, but can also uplift your mood. Get a pair of comfortable shoes and get out the door!

Take a YouTube fitness class

Taking YouTube fitness classes is definitely one of the best at-home habits I have discovered during quarantine. These classes are so much fun. There are so many of them online that I am sure you can find one that caters to your fitness level and desired intensity. If you don’t feel like going for a run or a walk because it is rainy outside, try a yoga class or a HIIT workout on YouTube! It will be good for your physical health.

Have a solo dance party

Who says you have to have a partner to dance? Turn up your favourite music and dance by yourself! You will not have to worry about having anybody watching!

Find a self-improvement/motivational channel on YouTube

Other than hosting workout videos, YouTube is also a fantastic source if you need some motivation or self improvement ideas. I am a pretty big fan of Alux.com, though I am sure there are a lot more out there that give you the dose of motivation you need. Find a channel that resonates with you, and subscribe!

Work on a DIY project

For all of us who are into crafts and DIY projects, this is a no-brainer when you have some time alone at home. You can leverage YouTube for this again, though sites like Instructables are also perfect for showing you step-by-step how to make things. You will derive a huge satisfaction from making things with your own hands, and you get to share the results with your friends and family!

Interested in growing vegetables at home with virtually no hassle? Check out my blog post on how to grow bean sprouts for pennies!

DIY a face mask, or a body scrub

Speaking of DIY, I love DIY skincare recipes. Simple ingredients like honey, coffee grounds and coconut oil mixed together can work wonders for your skin. Even if they don’t do magic for your face, the heavenly smell and the process of making these simple skincare products alone can bring a smile to my face. Give it a try, and I can guarantee you that you will discover plenty of fun.

Learn something online

If you are not into DIY projects but are still eager to learn, Udemy and Coursera are great sites for you to learn skills from top instructors around the world. If you have the drive, you may even complete a certificate and leverage it to help advance your career (remember to speak up for what you want)!

Learn a new trick

Were you into magic when you were a kid? Did you dream about becoming a magician when you grew up? Use the time to learn a trick. You will be the “Wow” factor at the next party!

Learn a new language

If you are interested in learning a new language, now is the right time to do so!

Browse Wikipedia

If you don’t want to do any structured learning, that’s not a problem! Wikipedia alone has a plethora of knowledge for you to dig through. I sometimes find myself spending hours on Wikipedia learning about historical events and historical figures. Maybe one day you will become a trivia king or queen!

Call your best friend or a family member

If you are craving some company, now is a great time to call up your close friends or family members. Give them a call or a video chat, and you may soon forget that you are home by yourself!

Plan your vacation

If you can’t go on a vacation right now, then go ahead and start planning! Read travel blogs to find top destinations to go to, and start looking for deals. Remember that you don’t have to travel far in order to have a great vacation. Sometimes, the most beautiful hidden gems can be within driving distance.

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Learn about countries on a map

There are almost 200 countries in the world today. How many of those do you know the names of? Where are they located on the map? Once you get the names and the locations down, start exploring the geographical features and learn about the culture and traditions of the countries. They are fascinating. There is no better time than when you are home without anyone around to learn about other countries and appreciate the diversity we have in the world.

Do some gardening

If you have a green thumb, gardening must be your calling. For many of us who live in densely populated cities, gardens are becoming a rarity, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t grow a small herb garden, or a few plants on the balcony or indoors. Growing something is a satisfying experience that all of us can enjoy.

Play with your pets

If you have pets at home, you may never be bored when you are home alone! Give your pets a bath, play with them, or cuddle with them! If you are a pet person, your life can be so much brighter when you have some little animals around.

Sleep

Some people may jump at this. “It is so unproductive!” They may say. Although I agree that productivity is important, being too busy may backfire on your personal finance, personal health and general well-being. Since you are alone at home, it is perfectly fine to be lying around and catching up on sleep. Well, even if you don’t lack sleep, it is perfectly okay to pamper yourself a bit and give yourself the permission to sleep in a little bit more. After all, staying in bed is comfortable.

Watch your favourite TV shows

Okay, this may be another one that people may label as “unproductive”, but since you have some down time, it is perfectly fine to spend some time on your favourite TV shows. You may want to make yourself some healthy snack by popping some popcorns yourself in the microwave!

Read a good book

Of course, when you are home by yourself, reading is a productive way to while away some time while learning something new. If you want to improve how you manage your money, here is a list of top personal finance books I recommend you read. You may want to check out this article to learn some of my top tips to save money on books!

Colour an adult colouring book

Relieve stress and boredom by working on an adult colouring book. If you are looking for a colouring book to try, I recommend Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book. This book claimed the top spot on the New York Times best-seller list and pioneered the adult colouring book craze. It is still much loved by many around the world for its intricate and otherworldly patterns and scenes. It is perfect for anybody wanting to produce a colourful masterpiece and let their creative side shine through!

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Read the magazine you bought during your last trip

Do you have at least a small stack of magazines that you bought at the airport or train station sitting on your coffee table? I know I certainly have. Now that you are home alone, it is the perfect time to actually read through them. You may discover an interesting DIY makeup recipe, a cool destination to visit, or a cute outfit idea that you may want to try!

Declutter your space

I find decluttering not only clears my space, but also cleanses my mind. If you want to be productive, decluttering is definitely a great way to use the time you have on hand. You can start with just only one room, and make a pile of all the stuff you haven’t touched in over a year. If you want, you can even list them on Kijiji or Craigslist, and you can potentially make some money back!

Batch cooking

Batch cooking is one of my top tips on how to manage my time. I particularly like sheet pan cooking. Find your protein, your vegetable and starch, throw some of your favourite spices on top, and you have a few delicious meals waiting for you in just under an hour. No longer will you have to worry about what to have for next dinner. If you want to be a bit more fancy, you can also add a side salad drizzled with olive oil or a soup.

It doesn’t matter whether you are alone at home or surrounded by people, you should always take care of yourself. Batch cooking can be one of the ways to give yourself the necessary nutrients without spending too much time if you aren’t a fan of cooking.

If you aren’t into planning meals either, you may want to check out $5 Meal Plan. They provide meal plans and shopping lists for every single week for just $5 a month. You also get a 14-day trial to start!

Learn a new recipe

If you love cooking though, learning a recipe and making a great meal or dessert with the recipe can be a satisfying thing to do when you are home by yourself. Find a recipe (how about this quick and easy healthy carrot muffin), and start making some noise in your kitchen! You will have something delicious to treat yourself at the end!

Work on your side hustle or hobby

Do you have a side hustle or hobby? With nobody around to distract you and plenty of free time on hand, now it is the perfect time to work on your side hustle. If you don’t have one? Well, maybe it is time to start a blog or a website!

If you are thinking about starting a blog, you may find it helpful to read about the key blogging tips that I have learned on my journey as a blogger.

Write something

Are you an inspiring fantasy novel writer or an upcoming poet? You may want to use the time wisely to practice your craft. Write a few sentences, create a plot, or write a poem. You will soon be immersed in your own creative world that you will forget about time. You never know. Maybe the next big hit is under your pen!

Make some money

If you don’t have an income-generating side hustle or a hobby, don’t worry! There are still other ways you can make money on the side!

For example, you can take surveys online. Survey Junkie and MyPoints are both great survey sites. You can also run some errands by becoming an Instacart Shopper, or find some gigs on taskrabbit!

Go to a local farmer’s market

I love going to the farmer’s market because of the hustle and bustle and the liveliness. They also have the freshest fruits and vegetables and the best handmade bread and pastries. If you have some time, venture out to a local market. I am sure you will come home with a satisfying smile.

Buy an ice cream

Who says ice cream is only for the summer? Getting yourself a nice cream is a perfect way to give yourself a little treat without breaking the bank. You can get your regular vanilla, strawberry or chocolate ice cream. If you want to get fancy, try a taro, or even a charcoal ice cream!

Look for deals online

If you are bored alone at home, finding some great deals online can definitely improve your mood. You can either use Groupon to find some of the hottest deals online, or you can use Rakuten, a popular online cash-back shopping site, to look for some great deals and earn cash back on top of that!

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Play some video games

The gaming industry has grown significantly over the last few years. Gaming streamers such as Pokimane, Markiplier and Shroud have made literally millions playing games online.

When you are bored at home, it is perfectly okay to have some fun and play some video games! There are so many different types of video games out there, many of which are free! As long as you don’t spend too much time, playing video games occasionally can be a great way to relax and enjoy time by yourself or with your friends.

Take the public transportation and get off at a stop you aren’t familiar with

Exploring a new neighbourhood can be a fun experience to have if you don’t want to stay at home any longer. Pick a bus route you have never taken before, or get on a subway train, and get off at a station you have never stopped at before. See where you heart takes you. Who knows, you may have a surprising encounter!

Go to a local park and have a picnic

In addition to getting off at an unfamiliar subway station or a bus stop, you can also choose to go to a local park and dine al fresco. Having a picnic doesn’t have to be a social activity. Even if you are by yourself, you can still enjoy the sunshine and the breeze, and use the time as an opportunity for some self-reflection. Perhaps you want to grab your diary?

Check out a local exhibit

There are plenty of fun and interesting things going on around us. Does your local community or your local art gallery have a special exhibit? Get out the door and check it out! Not only will you get some fresh air, you will also find a new way to enrich your life.

Review your personal finance

If you happen to have a few hours alone at home, one productive thing you can do is to review your personal finance. You can review your personal budget, your monthly expenses, and your net worth (check out Tom Brady’s net worth here to get inspired!). Not sure where to begin? Sign up for my email list and get some free resources to get started!

Learn how to meditate

Meditation can calm your mind. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey loves meditation so much that he went on a 10-day silent meditation trip to celebrate his birthday. Although you don’t have to be as extreme, learning how to meditate can bring clarity and calmness to your life, which can benefit your emotional and overall health.

Being alone at home creates the perfect environment for meditation, because you have no distraction. Breathe deeply and relax your muscles and thoughts. Sometimes it is worthwhile to sit back and relax, just to prevent your productivity from backfiring.

How introverts and extroverts deal with being totally alone

Introverts and extroverts deal with loneliness differently.

According to the psychologist, extroverts show a preference for seeking, engaging in, and enjoying social interactions, whereas introverts tend to be reserved and withdrawn in social settings – often preferring to avoid social situations altogether. As a matter of fact, introverts actually recharge by spending time alone.

As a result, it may be more difficult for extroverts to deal with spending time alone, because they feel more disconnected from the rest of the world.

Being alone doesn’t mean feeling lonely

It is not exactly accurate to equate solitude and loneliness. Although it is true that you may lack companionship in the form of real human beings, you may find enriching experiences that can help you overcome loneliness.

Learning how overcome the fear of loneliness and to spend time alone is a form of personal growth that will pay dividends in the long run.

Improve your social connections if you are constantly feeling unhappy

However, if you find yourself constantly experiencing the feelings of sadness and emptiness, then you may be isolating yourself a bit too much. When it is the case, you need to step out of your comfort zone and go out. Stop complaining that you have no friends. Don’t let the negative thoughts impact your well-being. Talk to people, join a social club or two, even if you can only do it on Zoom. You may soon develop new friendships that will fill your heart with joy. With new friends, you will be less likely to feel isolated.

Final words

See, being at home alone doesn’t need to be bored and lonely. There are plenty of fun things you can do to make the experience rewarding and fulfilling. At the end of the day, your attitude towards life is a lot more important than the situation you are in. You can be alone without being lonely.

In what other ways you can spend some time alone at home? Share in the comments below!

8 thoughts on “What to Do When You are Bored at Home Alone”

  1. Wow! Diverse ideas! I used to do some of these before too when I was bored. But since last year, I’m motivated to get out of bed to do something blog-related so I’m happy that I’m now doing something productive even when I’m bored lol. I love playing with my pets and exercising too! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I am quite interested in this list. My weekly routine includes sprucing up my home. I need to service my upholsteries in my two stores, and a contract with the right service provider will be effective. An article on a website helped me make legal contact with the right service provider.

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  3. These are interesting points to note. You can also add one more to your list, home renovation. I am renovating my home and adding more upholsteries to it. I got to understand a lot of home renovation tips from blogs which helped me in the renovation. This will keep you occupied completely.

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