Scenario 1
You walk into Starbucks to meet someone for a coffee date. You sit down, and what do you do? Take out your phone to scroll through your various newsfeeds on social media as you await the arrival of your guest.
Scenario 2
You sleep in because it’s your day off. You stagger to your Keurig, maybe defrost a whole wheat waffle, get back in bed, and what do you do? Sign into Netflix to binge on the next six episodes of "Orange is the New Black."
Millennials need their daily fill of mindless decompression provided by the comfort of a familiar TV show, or what’s trending — let’s face it, it has become an element of our character. But since when has it become a part of our generation’s personality to abuse these daily moments of decompression? It’s no wonder we've turned to these outlets of decompression; technology is everywhere and it's easily accessible. I can't tell you when exactly we started abusing, but I can tell you that even people guilty of partaking aren't proud of it.
So what can we do to break the cycle? There are a few alternative activities to engage in that can turn lazy time into time well-spent. There's no need to exert yourself; it's just some brain activity. The following are options available to those interested in challenging themselves to gain traction on the lost art of entertaining ourselves efficiently without starting at a screen.
1. Make Conversation
I know, we all have our moms telling us not to talk to strangers. So proceed with caution when I tell you that striking up conversation with someone you're sitting next to on a train or plane can lead to learning some amazing things! I can vouch for the art of conversation; some of the most interesting perspectives or pieces of advice I've heard have been given to me by strangers I decided to give or reciprocate a hello to.
2. Sudoku or Crossword
Stimulate your mind while waiting for a bus or sitting in the comfort of your own living room. It’s important to stay sharp. If you're not a math whiz, try crosswords. Even a trivia game will keep you thinking. Studies show that engaging your mind regularly with mind games has the potential to prevent cognitive disease later in life. It’s a win-win alternative!
3. Read an Actual Book
Ah, the lost art of reading a good book. If you're like I am and know Rory Gilmore had it all figured out, you should also know there is no harm in bringing a book with you wherever you go. Invest in used paperbacks — they're cheap and light. It’s amazing how many moments will present themselves as an opportunity to read a few pages. It’s a cliché because it’s true: You're never alone with a book in hand. Try it, just for a week. You'll see how unavoidable it is to ever go back to not having one on you.
4. Grab a Newspaper
What!? Do they still print those?? They do. And they're most likely littering coffee shops and waiting rooms without your noticing. So look around, grab one and don't be afraid to read a whole article, not just some newsfeed headlines. It pays off when you're talking to a professor, potential employer or friends. It never hurts to be well-educated, and this is an easy way to go about being so while also working out your brain.
5. Journal
Looking to get some hand tonnage? Just kidding. But yes, journaling can seem exhausting and too much of an effort to keep up with. However, journaling — whether it comes in the form of note taking, writing or drawing — can be more liberating than daunting. A form of expression, journaling can have an overwhelmingly therapeutic effect on your psyche. Don’t worry about keeping a regular journal, just keep one on your person and whip it out whenever you need to let off some steam or occupy some time.
6. People Watch
Don't get caught. But just taking a moment to absorb your surroundings and people can lead to some interesting observations you'll spend the rest of the day mulling over in your head. It's important to understand the world we live in, and how better to start by witnessing it as an active onlooker? People watching is a free, low maintenance way to pass some time without any additional resources necessary.
