Make a bucket list.
Write down everything you want to do before you kick it. Life is short, and one of the best ways to make sure you’re taking advantage of each and every day is to make a bucket list of things you want to do before it’s time for what’s next. It’s a great way to give your life a little direction if you’re feeling aimless. When you’re done, make a plan to achieve your first list entry. For example, if you want to scuba around a coral leaf, sign up for classes to become scuba certified.
Learn to cook a new dish.
Practice your culinary skills and treat yourself to something tasty. Here’s some science for you: Studies show that having a homemade meal results in higher satisfaction than eating out. If you’ve got some time on your hands, cook something tasty like a crispy, savory pork chops or a refreshing pasta salad. You’ll hone your culinary skills and boost your mood at the same time. Learn to make pasta with a pasta machine to pick up a crowd-pleasing kitchen talent sure to wow your friends at your next dinner party. Or, marinate some chicken (or your protein of choice) to cook the next night. Your future self will thank you.
Experiment with baking.
Whip up a new confection, or a classic comfort dessert. If you’re more of a dessert person, then break out the flour and sugar and whip up a sweet treat. Bake as seasonal pie to get festive, or get indulgent and make a rich chocolate cake. Up for a challenge? Now’s the time to perfect those macarons. If baking isn’t to your taste but you’re still looking for something sugary, make a simple mug cake to enjoy while you watch a movie or read a book.
Take up a new hobby.
Start learning a craft or an art form to enrich your free time. Finding a hobby is a great way to build a skill and cut down on boredom. Learn to draw to translate your imagination to paper; make stained glass and create gorgeous light-catchers for your home; build a computer if you’re more of a techie. The possibilities are endless. Or, join a local hobby group to spend time with like-minded creatives, finding inspiration and new friends in the process. Reader Poll: We asked 168 wikiHow readers who've discovered new hobbies, and only 9% of them considered finding a creative outlet, like drawing or singing. [Take Poll] So while these may not be the most common hobby to pursue, remember that your ideal hobby is something that brings you joy, regardless of popularity.
Watch a movie.
See that flick you’ve been meaning to watch. There are more movies than you’ll ever have time to watch, and we think that’s a beautiful thing. Make some popcorn, grab a blanket, and settle into the horror movie or sweeping romance that you’ve heard so much about. When it’s done, boot up the next one! Or, head to the theater to see something on the big screen, which is a great way to make an afternoon out of some cinema viewing. Alternatively, get a start on that TV series you’ve been interested in. Sixteen seasons and 3 direct-to-video movies aren’t going to watch themselves, you know.
Read a book.
Explore a new world in the pages of a novel. Reading is like stretching your muscles to keep them limber, but in this case, that muscle is your brain. Reading improves your concentration and focus, helps you sleep, and even reduces stress. So pick up that paperback on your coffee table, crack its spine, and dive right in. Or, read some nonfiction. Biographies, autobiographies, or even more science-type books are great ways to learn more about the world around you. For smaller but more substantial reading material, open up a book of poetry and sit with a few poems. You might find some indispensable wisdom.
Take yourself out to eat.
Sample the culinary scene in your city. Cooking at home is great, but eating out helps you broaden your culinary horizons and find new flavors for your palate. Make a reservation at that hip taco joint your friends have been raving about, or venture into a hole-in-the-wall diner to get a feel for the local scene. Explore your city one plate at a time!
Pick up a new instrument.
Teach yourself to play some tunes. Playing an instrument keeps your mind sharp, engaging every part of your nervous system and making use of both sides of your brain. Learn piano and serenade yourself with a sonata, or learn guitar and strum out your favorite pop tunes. Apps like Yousician make learning at home both feasible and fun. Or, sign up for some classes to get some professional instruction, which can help you pick up the skills faster than learning on your own.
Visit a museum.
Learn something new while exploring the city. If you live in an urban area, hit the local museum—art, science, history, whichever stokes your curiosity—and spend time wandering the halls and learning as you go. Many museums have free days or discounts, so check their websites before you visit. If you live somewhere without a museum, browse the online archives of world-famous museums like the Smithsonian or the MoMA to learn in the comfort of your own home. Or, visit your local zoo or aquarium to encounter some wildlife you don’t see in your daily life.
Go to a concert.
See a live show and mingle with the crowd. We’re here to break the stigma of solo concert-going. What better opportunity to lose yourself in a crowd than a dark room, where all eyes are on the stage rather than yourself? Browse your city’s events calendars to see if an artist you love is stopping in town. Or, buy tickets for an act you’ve never heard of—you might find a new fav. Alternatively, visit a bar or cafe on a live music night to sample a local act while sipping on a beverage.
Take a hike.
Get outside to reconnect with nature. Hiking exercises your body, improves your mental health, and brings you closer to the natural world all around you. Look up a nearby trail on a service like AllTrails to find a scenic route that’ll get you to a waterfall, overlook, or another fabulous nature feature that’ll make your day one to remember. Just remember to pack plenty of food and water, and let a friend know where you’re headed. If a hike is a little outside your comfort zone, a walk in the park also gets you outside and into the fresh air.
People watch.
Sit somewhere public and appreciate the lives all around you. When you spend time alone, it’s easy to feel like your world is shrinking. People watching is a great way to remind yourself that life happens all around you, and that your world is so much bigger than the walls of your room. Set up shop in a cafe or even just on a park bench and watch the world go by. To spice it up and work your imagination, play the “Life” game and come up with a life story for the passers-by. Where are they coming from, and where are they headed?
Take a spa day.
Unwind and do some self care at home. You don’t need to drop big bucks on a professional facial to treat yourself the way you deserve. Have a spa day at home by lounging in the tub or shower with some essential oils. Elevate the me-time with a cup of tea, some calming music, and a sweet treat like a scone to finish it off. Of course, go ahead and hit up a brick-and-mortar spa if that’s the journey that’s calling to you.
Do nothing.
Let yourself just sit and be. Never underestimate the power of doing absolutely squat. We’re not made to be productive 24 hours a day. Take a few minutes to yourself, and commit to turning off your brain. Put your phone away, cut the music, and close your eyes. Let yourself listen to the rhythm of your own body and the world around you. Make your do-nothing time more interesting by setting up a chair outside, on your lawn, a porch, or in a park, and letting the sights and sounds of your neighborhood wash over you.
Travel alone.
Visit a new place without being tied down by others. You don’t need a group to satisfy your wanderlust. Traveling alone is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture and city. What’s more, it’s often cheaper and easier to travel light when it’s just yourself. Just be sure to check in with friends and family, and let your loved ones know where you are. To travel with lower stakes, visit a nearby city or state park to keep closer to home while still encountering a new place.
Do some home improvement.
Spiff up your living space with a productive project. Been thinking about painting your walls a new color? Or maybe you’ve been meaning to re-tile your backsplash. There are plenty of home-improvement projects you can achieve alone, so now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and transform your home into the place you’ve always wanted to live. For a smaller home-improvement project, organize your kitchen to make your cooking space more efficient.
Go for a drive.
Explore your local area while rocking to some tunes. They don’t call it a “joy ride” for no reason. We don’t recommend you careen your car through the streets, but a laid-back drive through the city or the country makes for some meditative and refreshing time alone. Whether it’s a summery afternoon drive or a contemplative night ride, put on some tunes to match the vibe. If you don’t have access to a car, hop on public transit and take it to a new place. Put on those headphones, gaze out the window, and live your movie-moment fantasy.
Learn a dance.
Master some moves to show off another time. Dancing improves your aerobic health, coordination, flexibility, and spatial awareness while providing a great outlet for your creativity. Learn a TikTok dance to master some simple and trendy moves, or learn more traditional dances at home like ballet, hip hop, or country steps. To really work your creativity, make a new dance routine set to your favorite song.
Give back to the community.
Volunteer at a non-profit to put your time to good use. There’s always a good cause just waiting for you to lend your time and energy. Volunteer at a food bank, homeless shelter, animal shelter, or other nonprofit organization to make your alone time a little less lonely while bettering your community. You don’t have to join an organization to help. Pick up litter by the highway or sweep a public walkway to keep your city clean on your own time.
Get some exercise.
Move your body to improve your mind. It’s hardly a secret that exercising regularly decreases your risk of disease, strengthens your body, helps you live longer, and helps manage chronic mental health conditions. Get up and get moving—it can be as simple as going for a 5-minute run, or even a nice long walk. Whatever your body is up to. Do some yoga at home for a mindful and low-impact exercise that improves your flexibility and core strength.
Take a class.
Continue your education or pursue a special interest. Expand your skillset and broaden your horizons by taking a class at your local community college. They may offer free classes, or allow you to audit a class in-session, if you’re looking not to spend any money. Or, take an online class through your local university to learn in the comfort of your own home. Sites like edX offer free, professional classes you can complete on your own schedule.
Write a letter.
Send some snail mail to an old friend. Have an old friend you haven’t spine to in a while, and you’re not sure how to rekindle the friendship? Writing them a letter is a great way to get back in touch on a relaxed, low-pressure schedule. Or, write one to a close friend or family member to surprise them with a touching and thoughtful gesture. Or, use a site like PenPal World to find and write to a pen pal, making a friend out of a stranger you wouldn’t otherwise have spoken to.
Hit up an amusement park.
Wander around a carnival, fair, or other attraction. Get some thrills on a high-speed roller coaster, or score a brand new plushie for yourself by playing a carnival game. Wandering around an amusement park or a carnival at your own pace lets you savor the atmosphere and curate your own experience, without being tied down to a group who wants to do all different things. If it’s winter, visit an ice rink and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, or enjoy the ambience of a ski village to soak up some seasonal celebrations.
Go shopping.
Indulge in some retail therapy. We can’t deny that a little shopping spree hits the spot every now and then. Head up to the mall and let your wallet take you wherever it will. Try some new jewelry, or visit a toy store to indulge your inner child. Just be sure to stick to a budget to avoid an empty purse at the end. If you’re a bit more conservative with your spending, spend your spree at a thrift store or secondhand store to find some real treasures at a steep discount. Or, take part in the time-honored tradition of window shopping. Sometimes sizing up a display is just as satisfying as dropping money on new goodies.
Do a random act of kindness.
Offer someone a helping hand. Make the world a better place by doing something selfless. Visit an assisted living home and spend time with the older folks in your community, or donate some old books to your local library. Your act of kindness can be as simple as complimenting someone’s outfit, or writing a sweet note on a slip of paper and leaving it at a coffee shop for someone to find. Make your kindness a bit less random by asking a friend, neighbor, or family member if they need help today.
Get some cleaning done.
Clear up your living space to clear up your mind. Cleaning around the house has been shown to calm your mind, boost your mood, and increase your attention span. A fresh and tidy living space is its own reward, too. Clean your bathroom, organize your bedroom, or even just wander around the house with a duster to make things a little less grimy.
Practice a new language.
Expand your skill set with some linguistic learning. Practicing a new language exercises your mind, gives you a valuable look into a another culture, and is a mighty asset on a resume. Language-learnings software like Rosetta Stone and Duolingo make learning a language at home a breeze. Or, learn sign language to help you communicate with people who are hearing- or vision-impaired.
Meditate.
Quiet your mind and explore your inner self. Meditating is a go-to alone-time activity. It helps you de-stress, reduce negative emotions, lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep, and boost your creativity, among other benefits. Find somewhere quiet to sit and lie down, put on some relaxed music, and slow your breathing. Then, let your mind take you wherever it will. Or, have a more focused meditation session by centering your thoughts on intentions for self-improvement, like being kinder to yourself or letting go of frustration.
Write a book or a poem.
Express yourself on the page. For some, reading isn’t enough; they have to stretch their creativity by creating their own characters and worlds. If that’s you, try your hand at writing a book. Your first draft doesn’t have to be pretty, it just has to exist! Or, to really stretch your emotional and creative muscles, write some poetry and express your inner thoughts and feelings. The only rule in poetry is being genuine! You might also write non-fiction and chronicle an interesting time in your life, or the life of someone close to you.
Explore your spirituality.
Connect with your faith, or ponder your own beliefs. Your spirituality is something that’s always growing and shifting based on your own perspective and life experience. If it’s been a while since you’ve explored your spiritual side, set aside some time to ask yourself what you believe and why. You might surprise yourself with how much your own outlook has changed—or how much it’s stayed the same. If you’re religious, spend some time praying to connect with and explore your faith. If you’re not spiritual, contemplate your place in the world and in nature. You don’t need to be spiritual to appreciate the interconnectedness of life.
Make a budget.
Use your down time to get your spending in order. Making a budget helps you visualize your spending money, decide how and why to spend it, and can even save you money over time by identifying areas of improvement. Sit down and compare your income to your expenses to get a better handle on your books. While you’re at it, make a plan to save some money if you can, to save up for a nice vacation, college classes, or other aspirations.
Catch the sunrise.
Wake up early to witness the start of a new day. When was the last time you were awake on time to greet the sun? It’s an easy thing to miss, and too many people go far too long without appreciating the break of a new day. Wake up early and savor a contemplative moment alone. Add some coffee or tea and a cozy blanket to make the moment that much cozier. You might find that you’ve made a new daily tradition for yourself.
Stargaze.
Stay up late to watch the universe spin around you. It’s easy to forget that there’s an entire universe out there when the lights of the city aren’t getting in the way of seeing it. Use a website like Dark Site Finder to find a nearby area with minimal light pollution. Bring a blanket and a late-night snack, then lie back and behold the heavens. You might even catch a shooting star. While you’re there, find some planets or use a guide on your phone to learn some constellations to turn it into an educational experience.
Play a video game.
Entertain yourself and challenge your brain at the same time. They’re not all mindless fun or mature violence, you know. Playing video games has been linked to increased spatial awareness, more finely tuned attention, better problem-solving skills, and enhanced creativity. So grab a controller and indulge in that new release, guilt-free. Or, download some puzzle games to your phone like Sudoku, Solitaire, or Crosswords for a less involved experience that still engages your brain.
Listen to some tunes.
Listen to your favorite album all the way through. Did you know that listening to music is sometimes used as a form of therapy to aid with mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being? Take some time to listen to your favorite album from front to back. Or, dive into Spotify or Apple Music’s expansive libraries to find new gems. Like reading a book or watching a movie, listening to music is a fabulous and creative use of your time. To really get the most out of your experience, spend time thinking about the lyrics or identifying portions of a song you really enjoy. You might find you start to appreciate them even more.
Start a journal or diary.
Keep track of your life to give yourself something to look back on. Writing about your experiences—even (and especially) the negative ones—helps you process them and put them into perspective. In some cases, it can even improve your physical and mental health. Keep a journal and write down anything significant that happens each day, then revisit it months or years later to reminisce on the person you were. If you already keep a journal, use this opportunity to crack it open and start reading! Let those memories come flooding back.
Plant some greenery.
Get gardening to practice your green thumb. Gardening helps you get some exercise out in nature, gives you some tasty plants to eat (if you’re planting edibles), and is known to reduce stress. So get out there start a garden with some easy starter plants like tomatoes or lettuce, or just plant some pretty flowers to give you something nice to look at. If it’s cold out, plant and care for some indoor plants like ferns or succulents to add some green to your home year round.
Refresh your wardrobe.
Update your closet to reflect the current you. Has your personal style kept up with your personal tastes and perspective? Now’s a great time to go through your closet and build a wardrobe that expresses your personal style. Start with staples like versatile pants and shirts, then shop or thrift for accessories that speak to you. Or, simply take some times to organize your wardrobe if it’s already fresh.
Play with your pet.
Spend some time with your animal companion. You know who’s always down to hang and will never pass up an opportunity for face-to-face time? Your pet! Throw a ball for your dog or take them on a walk; snuggle up to your cat or tease them with a feather toy; let your snake drape across your shoulders. Interacting with your pets keeps them busy, but also reduces your own stress, lowers blood pressure, and promotes physical activity. Or, volunteer to pet sit for a friend, family member, or neighbor to get some quality time with a friendly animal without the lifelong commitment.
Give yourself a makeover.
Experiment with your personal style and self-expression. It’s easy to get stuck in a personal style and never change it. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you might be missing out on fun and fresh style possibilities if you never experiment! Visit a salon or style your own hair to find a new look. Or, take our What Makeup Should I Wear? Quiz and let us recommend a new makeup look. At the very least, you’ll have fun experimenting and expressing yourself.
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