Free time and boredom is something that we all face. Whether it is ten minutes between classes, or a three hour break before your shift at work begins, our days are awkwardly broken up. Often, I will feel like a small break is too small to be productive and get anything useful done, and end up wasting perfectly good free time. Here are a bunch of small tasks that can transform your wasted time into time well spent, whether it is planning, getting schoolwork done, or taking a mental health moment.
1. Read. A book, an article, or a short story: just read.
2. Cook.
3. Delete e-mails.
4. Visit a friend or even just reach out. You would be surprised the impact that a small action can have on both of you.
5. Research a topic you are interested in.
6. Write a poem.
7. Plan your week.
8. Drink tea.
9. Go for a run.
10. Doodle.
11. Rearrange your space.
12. Daydream.
13. Clean.
14. Go outside. Enjoy the weather, nature, and fresh air.
15. Get up to date on current events. Be aware of problems the world is facing.
16. Start saving money for something you've always wanted.
17. Call your mom. Or dad. Or anyone that you enjoy.
18. Draw.
19. Write a note.
20. Watch a documentary.
21. Exercise.
22. Take a nap.
23. Make a mind map.
24. Relax.
25. Go for a walk.
26. Upcycle something into something new.
27. Find a quote that inspires you. Write it somewhere unconventional.
28. Study. You will be surprised the difference ten minutes can make.
29. Do yoga.
30. Color.
31. Think of someone that you miss.
32. Compile due dates, appointments, and events.
33. Pray.
34. Make something.
35. Clean your clutter.
36. Read poetry.
37. Dance.
38. Treat yourself.
39. Start a new hobby.
40. Make a new playlist.
41. Write down what scares you.
42. Prep for tomorrow. Prepping today will make tomorrow that much easier.
43. Go through your clothes. Pick out new outfits. Rediscover what you have forgotten. Donate what you don't need.
44. Volunteer.
45. Journal your daily life. The good memories and the bad. Look back in a year and reminisce exactly what you did. See how you've grown.
46. Make a goal list. Whether it is for the day, your college career, or the rest of your life. You have to start somewhere.
47. Write what you are grateful for. Add to this list whenever you can. Look at this list when you are feeling down and need a reminder of how fortunate you are.
48. Discover a new artist.
49. Fix something.
50. Meditate. Breathe in, breathe out.
51. Watch a youtube video.
52. Garden.
53. Research your genealogy. Your past influences who you are.
54. Brainstorm.
55. Paint.
56. Learn a new skill.
57. Be a photographer.
58. Sing.
59. Learn a language.
60. Do an act of kindness.
61. Write a letter.
62. Anything that you want.
Glance at this list whenever you find yourself without anything to do. Add your own personal tasks and to-do's. Personalize this so that it fits your life, but no longer find yourself saying that you have nothing to do, are bored, or have wasted time. Take a personal moment. Do something that makes you smile. Do something that makes others smile. You will never regret it.
