I genuinely hate being on my phone.
I’ll be honest. Most of us don’t even realize how much time we’re spending on our phones.
We pick it up to check one message, and suddenly we’ve scrolled through 97 videos, 4 outfit links, and an emotional dog rescue reel that made us cry for no reason.
It’s not that phones are bad, okay?
They keep us connected, inspired, and even comforted sometimes.
But too much screen time? It starts to dull our creativity. It blurs our day.
It eats away at those quiet little pockets of peace where our real life is waiting to unfold.
If you’ve ever looked up from your screen and felt weirdly empty… or like you meant to do something meaningful but ended up doomscrolling again… this list is for you.
Because the truth is, there are so many things that feel better than checking your phone again.
Like writing in a journal.
Like making something with your hands.
Like stepping outside just to feel the air on your face.
Or starting a tiny ritual that turns a regular Tuesday night into something sacred.
These 49 ideas are soft, soulful, and actually doable.
You don’t need to delete your apps or go live in the woods (unless you want to). You just need to create little moments where you choose presence over pixels.
So next time your fingers reach for your phone out of habit, try one of these instead — and give your heart something it can actually hold onto.
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1. Read a book that’s been sitting on your shelf for ages
We all have that one book.
The one we bought with full intention to read, then let collect dust.
I hear you, I’m the same.
Pick it up. Open it.
Let yourself get lost in someone else’s world without checking your notifications every five minutes.
There’s a special kind of peace that comes from reading something slowly, with a warm drink beside you and nothing else pulling your attention.
If it’s a novel, sink into the story.
If it’s nonfiction, let yourself be inspired.
And if it’s poetry? Read it twice.
2. Take a walk without your phone — no music, just your thoughts
Walking without your phone might feel strange at first, like you’re forgetting something.
But once you let yourself settle into the rhythm of your steps and start noticing your surroundings — the rustle of leaves, the warmth of the sun, the sound of your own breathing — something shifts.
You start to hear your own thoughts more clearly.
You begin to observe rather than distract.
And even a 10-minute loop around your block can feel like a full-body reset when you’re fully present.
3. Write in a journal about anything and everything
Journaling isn’t just for the “dear diary” crowd.
It’s for anyone who wants to offload some mental clutter, process a feeling, or make sense of a weird dream.
You don’t need perfect grammar or poetic sentences — just honesty.
Write about what made you smile today, what’s been bothering you, what you’re trying to understand. Let your pen move faster than your inner critic.
My therapist has made me fall in love with journalling all over again.
The goal isn’t to produce something pretty. It’s to be with yourself in a quiet, honest way.
4. Make yourself a fancy cup of tea or coffee and savor it slowly
Not your usual rushed caffeine hit — I’m talking about a cup made with love.
Use your prettiest mug. Froth the milk. Sprinkle cinnamon or cocoa. Add honey or a drop of vanilla.
And then — this is the important part — sit down and drink it without doing anything else.
No phone. No scrolling. Just you and the warmth between your hands.
Let it be a small ritual that reminds you how good it feels to be present.
It’s scary at first because even I got super restless, but it’s so beautiful.
5. Do a puzzle or brain teaser just for fun
Jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, crossword puzzles — these quiet little challenges are perfect for slowing down your pace while giving your brain something satisfying to focus on.
I love Sudoku.
There’s no pressure to finish. No timer.
Just the small delight of fitting one piece after another. Play soft music, light a candle, and let your mind settle into the simple rhythm of finding where things belong.
6. Reorganize a drawer, shelf, or small space you’ve been ignoring
You don’t need to overhaul your whole house — just pick one tiny space and give it some love.
Maybe it’s that chaotic junk drawer, your overflowing makeup bag, or the bookshelf you’ve been meaning to dust.
There’s something deeply calming about tidying up a small corner of your world.
It gives you a sense of control, a quiet burst of satisfaction, and a clearer head. Plus, you’ll probably find things you forgot you had.
7. Bake something simple and comforting from scratch
There’s a kind of magic in baking. The measuring, the mixing, the smell that fills your home, it’s a full sensory experience that pulls you back into the moment.
You don’t have to be a pro.
Pick something simple: banana bread, blueberry muffins, snickerdoodles, cinnamon rolls. Let yourself get flour on your hands.
Taste the dough. Watch it rise.
I love making cookies because they’re easy and super fast!
And when it’s done? Sit down, take a bite, and let it be your reward for showing up for yourself today.
8. Start a gratitude list and add five things to it
Gratitude doesn’t need to be some big, spiritual practice.
It can just be a few honest words on a piece of paper.
Write down five things — anything — that made today a little lighter. It could be “the soft blanket on my bed,” “the stranger who held the door,” or “the moment I felt peaceful for no reason.”
It’s not about toxic positivity. It’s about gently reminding your mind that even on hard days, there are tiny anchors of beauty holding you in place.
9. Paint, draw, or color with zero pressure to be good at it
This is not about being “artistic.”
It’s about giving your hands something quiet to do while your mind breathes.
Pull out some watercolors, colored pencils, markers — whatever you have. Let yourself make abstract blobs. Try drawing a flower, a cloud, a sleepy cat. Fill in a coloring book page.
Make something that exists for no reason except it made you feel calm while you made it.
10. Go outside and cloud-watch like you did as a kid
Lie on your back, look up, and let your imagination take over. What shapes do you see? A dragon? A rabbit? An entire fluffy city?
Cloud-watching is one of those simple pleasures that we forget exists as adults.
But it’s free, it’s grounding, and it’s an easy way to practice mindfulness without effort.
Let the sky remind you how small your stress is, and how big the world still feels when you look up.
11. Stretch your body gently while breathing deeply
Not a workout.
Not yoga with an intense playlist and fancy leggings. Just gentle, slow stretching. Move your neck side to side. Reach your arms overhead. Loosen your hips and unclench your jaw.
Pair each stretch with a deep breath — in through your nose, out through your mouth — like you’re releasing something heavy.
This isn’t about flexibility or fitness. It’s about giving your body a chance to exhale after being tensed up all day.
Sometimes the softest movements are the ones that ground you the most.
12. Write a handwritten letter to someone you love (or your future self)
There’s something deeply personal about handwriting a letter.
It forces you to slow down, to think about what you really want to say, and to connect from a place of honesty.
Write to a friend you miss. A family member who’s far away.
Or write a letter to your future self, tucked inside a journal, telling them where you’re at right now and what you hope for. You don’t even have to send it.
I have a post here on how to write a letter to your future self.
Sometimes the act of writing is enough. It’s like a tiny time capsule filled with love.
13. Do nothing for 10 minutes and let your mind wander
Yes, literally nothing.
Sit somewhere comfortable, let your phone stay out of reach, and resist the urge to fill the silence.
No podcast. No book. Just you.
Let your mind drift.
Think about what you want for dinner, the weird dream you had, or how your feet feel against the floor. Don’t judge it. Don’t analyze it.
We spend so much time being overstimulated that we forget how healing stillness can be. Try 10 minutes — just you and your thoughts. You might be surprised what comes up.
14. Make a new playlist and add songs that match your current mood
Music is a love language for introverts.
Spend a little time curating a playlist that feels like you right now.
Give it a name like “soft mornings,” “main character at dusk,” or “healing quietly.”
Fill it with songs that match your current vibe — sad, dreamy, hopeful, floaty, fierce, whatever it is.
This playlist becomes your emotional backdrop. Something you can return to when you need to feel seen without having to say anything.
15. Flip through an old photo album or scrapbook
My mum compiled a lot of photo albums, and I like flipping through them when I miss her.
There’s something so grounding about holding physical memories in your hands — not just scrolling your camera roll, but actually turning pages filled with photos, ticket stubs, dried flowers, and little notes.
Let those memories wash over you. Smile at your past self.
Let your heart swell a little for all the versions of you who brought you here.
16. Try a DIY craft project using supplies you already have
Don’t run to the store — look around your home.
Old magazines, scraps of fabric, leftover paint, cardboard boxes… it’s probably all there.
Make a collage with words and colors that match your mood.
Cut out old book pages and turn them into bookmarks. Stitch something onto your jeans or make a flower crown from weeds in your yard.
You don’t need to be “creative” — you just need to play. Let your hands do something that doesn’t involve swiping.
17. Water your plants — or talk to them, they don’t judge
This one’s for the plant moms, the leaf lovers, and the people who name their succulents.
Take your time checking on each one. Wipe their leaves. Notice how much they’ve grown.
Give them fresh water and maybe a new pot. Talk to them while you do it — tell them how your day is going or thank them for just existing.
It’s a simple ritual that reminds you to slow down, observe, and care for something gently.
18. Sit near a window and journal what you see, hear, and feel
Let this be a grounding, real-time meditation.
Sit by a window — preferably with a warm drink and a blanket — and simply write what’s happening. What colors do you see? What do you hear outside? Is the air still or moving? Is your heart quiet or buzzing?
You’re not telling a story. You’re just witnessing the present moment and letting it live on the page. It’s a beautiful way to feel rooted in the now, especially on days that feel floaty or anxious.
19. Declutter one tiny area: your purse, your nightstand, your desk
I have a post here on how to declutter your whole house in a day.
You don’t need to tackle your whole house, though.
Just pick one small space that’s gotten a little chaotic and give it some love.
Clean out your purse. Organize your nightstand. Go through that messy drawer in the kitchen or desk. Toss what you don’t need. Rearrange what you do.
You’ll feel a surprising amount of calm from such a simple act. Like clearing a path through the noise — a way to breathe a little easier in your space.
20. Watch a comfort movie with your phone in another room
Everyone has a movie they watch that brings them calm.
Maybe it’s Pride & Prejudice, Amélie, The Holiday, Spirited Away, or something nostalgic like Matilda or Anne of Green Gables.
Put it on. Dim the lights. Grab a blanket.
And leave your phone in a drawer.
Let yourself get pulled back into a world you already love. You don’t have to tweet about it or post a story. Just enjoy it for yourself, fully.
21. Write a poem — it doesn’t have to rhyme or make sense
Poetry isn’t just for English majors or romantic heartbreaks.
It’s for anyone who’s ever felt something too big or too soft to explain.
Sit down with a notebook and let your thoughts spill out.
It doesn’t have to follow rules. You can write a haiku, a free-verse stream of emotions, or just a few lines that feel true.
Try starting with “I feel like…” or “Lately, the sky looks like…” and see where it takes you. Don’t edit. Don’t reread right away. Let your heart write first, and your brain stay quiet.
22. Try calligraphy or hand lettering using a tutorial online
Calligraphy feels like meditation in motion.
It slows your hands and your breath down at the same time.
You don’t need fancy pens to get started.
Just a soft-tip marker and some printer paper will do. Pull up a YouTube video and trace the letters slowly, deliberately. Practice writing your name, your favorite quote, or a calming word like “peace” or “breathe.”
It’s less about making it look perfect and more about letting the loops and curves become a rhythm. It’s the kind of hobby that makes time disappear — in the best way.
23. Light a candle, turn on instrumental music, and just be
Sometimes, all you need is a shift in atmosphere.
Light a candle — something earthy, herbal, or warm — and let the soft flicker fill your space. Put on instrumental music: piano, acoustic guitar, rain sounds, or ambient Ghibli soundtracks.
Then… don’t do anything.
No journaling. No organizing. Just sit.
Let the calm seep into your skin. Let the scent, the sounds, and the quiet moments become your pause in a world that’s always asking for more.
24. Pick a cookbook, open to a random page, and cook that dish
Turn dinner into a gentle adventure.
I have a few Studio Ghibli recipes here if you’re interested.
Grab one of the cookbooks sitting on your shelf (or use a recipe from a bookmarked blog), flip to a random page, and let fate choose what’s next.
Put on music while you cook. Light a candle while you eat. Let it feel like care, not just fuel.
25. Organize your bookshelf by color, genre, or vibe
You don’t need to be a librarian to make your bookshelf feel beautiful.
Take all your books off the shelf, stack them in piles, and decide how you want to organize them.
Maybe you go by color and make a rainbow wall. Maybe you group by theme: cozy reads, empowering memoirs, soft fantasy. Maybe you just dust them off and rearrange them based on how they make you feel.
You’ll probably rediscover books you forgot you owned — or suddenly feel excited to read something again.
26. Go to a park and people-watch quietly
Leave your phone behind.
Bring a notebook if you want, or just a snack and a warm drink.
Find a bench or a spot in the grass and simply watch. See how people walk. Notice the dogs.
Observe the way children play or how couples lean toward each other. You’re not judging — you’re witnessing.
There’s something comforting about being quietly part of the world without needing to interact. It reminds you that life is happening all around you, and you’re allowed to just be in it.
27. Take a long, cozy shower and do your full skincare routine
I’m thanking my best friend Alisha for this tip.
Exfoliate, deep condition, shave slowly, and just let the water wash the stress off your back.
Afterward, do the things you usually skip — moisturizer, serum, body oil, that fancy lip balm you only use “for special occasions.”
Turn your bathroom into a spa.
Wear your fluffiest robe. Make it feel like care, not a chore.
28. Fold laundry while listening to calming music or silence
It might sound boring, but laundry can actually be a quiet kind of therapy.
It gives your hands something gentle to do while your mind unwinds.
Skip the background noise if you can. Let silence fill the room — or choose music that feels like a slow exhale. Make this moment about tending, about calming, about creating order in a small corner of your day.
29. Look up at the stars and try to spot a constellation
Step outside at night — no phone, no flashlight.
Just your eyes adjusting to the dark.
Lay on a blanket or lean against a wall. Look up and breathe. Try to find the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt, or just admire how vast and sparkly it all feels.
You don’t need to know astronomy.
You just need to remember how small you are — and how oddly comforting that can be. The sky is always there, waiting to remind you of wonder.
30. Clean your phone screen and case — it probably needs it
A small but oddly satisfying task.
Grab a microfiber cloth or a gentle cleaning wipe and take your time wiping away smudges, fingerprints, and mystery crumbs.
Remove the case. Clean underneath. Make it feel new again.
You’ll feel weirdly refreshed afterward, like you just cleared a window that had been fogged up for weeks. It’s a subtle reminder that you’re allowed to clear things off — even the tiny things — and start fresh.
31. Do a brain dump in your notebook to clear your head
When your mind feels cluttered — like too many tabs open in a browser — a brain dump is the emotional equivalent of pressing “refresh.”
Grab a notebook and just… write. Everything.
The things you’re worrying about, the random errands you haven’t done, the feelings you haven’t processed, the idea you had in the shower, the text you don’t want to answer.
Don’t censor. Don’t organize. Just pour it out.
32. Doodle whatever comes to mind without judgment
Draw your coffee mug. Or a flower with way too many petals.
Or a comic strip about how your plant is thriving more than you. It doesn’t have to “mean” anything — it just has to exist.
Sometimes we forget that our hands are allowed to move without producing something productive.
Doodling gives them permission to just make something — for no one but you.
33. Do a guided meditation or breathing exercise
This is a five-minute gift to your nervous system.
Just find a quiet space (even if it’s your parked car) and hit play on a guided meditation from an app like Insight Timer, Headspace, or YouTube.
Even three minutes of slow, focused breathing can lower your heart rate and shift you into a softer state.
34. Revisit a hobby you abandoned (drawing, dancing, knitting, etc.)
There’s probably something you used to love that fell away when life got busy — something quiet and creative that once brought you joy.
Dust it off. Reopen it.
Knit a few rows of that scarf.
Dance around your living room like you used to in high school.
Sketch something just for the pleasure of watching a shape appear.
Old hobbies don’t expire. They just wait patiently for your return.
35. Make a Pinterest vision board — then unplug after
Pinterest can be a lovely, dreamy space if you use it with intention.
Create a board that reflects how you want your life to feel. Soft mornings. Clean corners. Journals and tea and pressed flowers.
Or a vision board for your next season — emotionally, not just aesthetically.
Let yourself feel inspired — and then log out. Print the board or save it as a phone wallpaper. The goal is to live the life, not endlessly scroll it.
36. Walk barefoot on grass or sand and feel grounded
There’s something ancient and healing about letting your bare feet connect with the earth — literally.
Let the coolness seep into your skin. Feel the texture beneath you. Breathe in the fresh air.
This is called “earthing” for a reason — it brings you back to your body, back to nature, back to now.
37. Make a list of things that bring you joy — small and big
This is such a simple, underrated way to shift your focus.
Take a few minutes and write down 10–15 things that spark joy. They don’t have to be profound. Think: warm socks, holding a dog’s face in your hands, the smell of bookstores, the sound of leaves crunching, your favorite mug.
Keep the list somewhere you can revisit.
Add to it.
Let it remind you that joy doesn’t always look big — sometimes, it’s tucked into the tiniest corners of your day.
38. Write a short story or create a character just for fun
Let your imagination out to play, even just for 15 minutes.
Invent a character who lives in a cabin with 12 cats.
Or write a dreamy scene set in a magical forest. Or make up a letter from one fictional person to another. It doesn’t have to be long or perfect. It doesn’t need a plot or an ending.
The goal is to escape into creativity, not for content, not for likes, just because it feels good to make something that didn’t exist before.
39. Try origami using scrap paper or a napkin
There’s something deeply soothing about folding paper into quiet, intentional shapes. It forces you to focus, slow down, and move with purpose.
Look up a tutorial for a paper crane, a heart, or a tiny box. Use anything — a post-it note, the back of a receipt, old wrapping paper. The process is meditative. The result feels like a tiny, peaceful accomplishment.
40. Do a full digital detox for an hour or more
This one’s bold — but so worth it.
Turn off your phone. Put it in a drawer. Walk away. For a full hour. Or more if you’re feeling brave.
Notice what it feels like to not be instantly available, to not reach for your screen out of habit. What rises to the surface? What can you hear when the hum of technology goes quiet?
The first 10 minutes might be uncomfortable. But after that? You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a calmer version of yourself — one that exists outside of pings and notifications.
41. Go through old notebooks or journals and reflect
Flipping through old journals is like talking to yourself through time.
You’ll find reminders of how far you’ve come.
Honor those past entries, no matter how messy or emotional. They’re proof that you’ve been evolving, even on the days you didn’t feel it.
42. Listen to a full album with your eyes closed
Pick one that matches your mood. Maybe something soft and melancholic, or something nostalgic and familiar.
Lay down, close your eyes, and let every track wash over you.
Let the music tell a story. Let your emotions rise and fall with it. It’s a beautiful way to connect with both sound and self, without distraction.
43. Make homemade greeting cards or bookmarks
Use cardstock, scrap paper, dried flowers, stickers, or even magazine cutouts.
Write a simple note inside. “Thinking of you.” “This reminded me of you.” “You’re doing great.”
You can give them to friends, tuck them into library books as surprises for strangers, or keep them for yourself.
Little acts of kindness are a gentle way to reconnect with the world.
44. Create a cozy reading nook or refresh your space
Just carve out a soft little corner for rest.
Maybe it’s rearranging pillows, adding a throw blanket, lighting a candle, or moving a chair near a window. Maybe it’s finally clearing off that chair you’ve been using as a closet.
Create a tiny sanctuary that whispers, “You’re safe here. Come rest.”
Even if you never read in it, the act of tending to your space becomes an act of tending to yourself.
45. Listen to ambient sounds (like rain, ocean, or forest)
Sometimes your brain just needs background comfort, not lyrics, not stimulation, just a soft environment to melt into.
Look up ambient tracks on YouTube or Spotify.
Try gentle rain, waves crashing, forest wind, fireplace crackles, or even coffee shop chatter if that makes you feel cozy.
Let the sound wrap around your space like a blanket. You don’t have to focus. You don’t have to perform. Just let your mind rest inside the atmosphere.
46. Make a list of 10 things you’ve done lately that you’re proud of
Did you rest when you needed to? Say no to something that didn’t feel right? Make a new meal, organize your closet, or finally water the plants?
Write them down. Honor them.
Too often, we brush past our own progress because it doesn’t look dramatic enough. But you’re allowed to be proud of surviving, trying, showing up — even when no one’s watching.
47. Plan a future trip, picnic, or dream day — no phone required
Use your imagination like a map.
Where would you go if you could disappear for the weekend? What would your dream day look like if time and money weren’t in the way?
What would you wear? What would you eat? Who (if anyone) would be there? What music would play?
This isn’t just escapism — it’s an act of hope. A reminder that beauty and rest can still be part of your future.
48. Watch the sunrise or sunset mindfully
We’re often too distracted to notice the sky changing — even though it does it every single day, whether we’re watching or not.
Set aside time to just be still and watch the light shift.
Feel the air cool or warm against your skin. Don’t try to photograph it. Don’t try to rush it.
Let the sky remind you that life is always moving, even when it feels stuck. And that beauty doesn’t need an audience — it just needs to be witnessed.
49. Do nothing at all — just sit, breathe, and exist
Not because you’re tired.
Not because you earned it. But because being is enough.
Find a quiet spot. Let your shoulders drop. Close your eyes if you want. Just breathe.
No goals. No thoughts to chase. No need to be interesting, useful, productive, or “on.” Just be.
You are still worthy in stillness. You are still whole when you’re not performing. You are still you — even when you do absolutely nothing.
