10 Ideas For Things To Do When You Are Bored
Boredom isn’t limited to teenagers or tired children asking ‘are we there yet?’ in the car. Grown-ups get bored too. You might be recently retired and looking for something to fill your new free time. You might have just moved to a new area and are looking for fun activities to build your social life. Or, you might have simply found yourself wanting to shake up your normal routine. Whatever the reason, here are some ideas for things to do when you are bored.
What to do when you are bored
Start a hobby
Boredom presents the perfect opportunity to take up a new hobby. Revisit one from your younger years, like piano lessons or riding bicycles, or try something new, like Japanese lessons or yoga. You can challenge your brain with the strategic game of chess or develop your artistic potential with painting. The internet is a fantastic resource of ideas for new hobbyists, with all the support, help and inspiration you could ever need among like-minded communities found on sites like Reddit and Facebook. Just remember to stay safe online.
Join a local sports team
Team sports are a great blend of physical and social activity. Netball, cricket, football, rugby – the list is endless. Playing on a sports team engages your competitive nature while also strengthening your team-building skills. And, most importantly, you’ll exercise and keep fit. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Adventurous Training course provided by the Army Cadets.
Volunteer with the Army Cadet Force
We’re one of the largest youth organisations in the UK, but we’re not just for young people. We have over 9,500 adult volunteers either instructing and training young cadets or managing organisational processes. The ACF has a lot to offer adult volunteers: stopping boredom, staying active outdoors, mentoring young people, learning new skills, building your confidence and meeting likeminded people.
Start a book or movie club
Clubs are an excellent way to get together with your friends and spend time doing something you enjoy. If you’re a book-lover, start a regular monthly book club, hosted at your home or a nice café. If you’re more of a cinephile, a movie club is perfect. You’ll save money on cinema tickets, and while making your popcorn is mandatory (and deliciously simple), you can also liven up the night with some other food ideas. You can find more inspiration among the pages of our digital magazine. For example, the February 2023 issue has a great recipe for smoothies on page 26.
Reconnect with an old friend
Amidst work and family obligations, it’s easy to lose touch with friends. If you need something to do when you’re bored, why not reconnect with a friend you haven’t seen in a while? Invite them over for tea or out for a run and spend some quality time catching up. If they live far away, suggest a video call. Whatever you do, they’ll be glad to hear from you.
Declutter your house
Clearing up your home is one of the most productive ways to fight boredom and it doesn’t have to be stressful. Start small: pick a single category of stuff – shoes, books, photos – and lay them all out. Decide which to keep, which to throw away and which to donate. Then you can store them in a neat and organised way. You will be surprised by what you find that you don’t need anymore, and the things you loved which you have forgotten about.
Plan your next holiday
Studies have shown that a lot of the pleasure you get from holidays comes from the planning and anticipating before you go. Researching flights or train tickets, choosing accommodation, reading up on all the restaurants, museums and attractions – these all increase the overall satisfaction your holiday gives you. And you’ll be extra prepared for when you go! Making a plan for the future is also a great way to help you stay focused because you know you have something to look forward to.
Send a letter
Email and smartphones have made it easy to stay in touch, but there’s still no better feeling than getting a handwritten letter. It’s a lovely old-school gesture that shows you care. Even if they live nearby, write letters to family and friends or people in need of companionship, like senior citizens in elderly care. Don’t forget you will need to buy stamps!
Sign up for an online course
There is a wealth of educational material available online, much of it free of charge and some offering certifications that can help your professional career. Websites like Coursera, edX, and uDemy offer a mix of free and paid online courses in a wide range of subjects. Some websites specialise in one subject area, like Codecademy for computer coding. Many universities also have online videos or podcasts of lectures that you can access for free: Open culture compiled a list of 1,700 free courses here.
Cook a new recipe
When you’re bored, escape your routine of cooking the same or very similar meals every night and try a brand-new recipe. Instead of ordering a takeaway to satisfy your curry cravings, make your own. Whip out that wok that’s been gathering dust in your cupboard and make an authentic stir fry. Or if you’re usually a meat-lover, try a healthy and hearty vegetarian recipe. You’ll be surprised just how easy and cheap some dishes are to make. Once you’ve tried making your own pizza dough (with just two ingredients!) you’ll never want to spend money on a takeaway again!
Discover more about becoming a cadet or adult volunteer, by finding your nearest detachment.