Productive Things To Do When You're Bored
Tuesday, April 14, 2020This is a collaborative post, but all opinions are my own
It is easy to sit around all day, especially as many of us are furloughed or working from home. My to-do list is never-ending, and it takes a little push to get things done. Wherever I look, there is something that needs updating, fixing or changing. If you're feeling proactive, here's a long list of all the productive things you can do during a lockdown or on a spare weekend!
Why It's Important To Be Productive
The truth is, you can't ALWAYS be productive. Your body needs self-care and rest, so it's not always possible to be productive. But for those times you're feeling up to it, being productive is important for getting things done. Lockdown means a lot of us are furloughed, so make the most of this time! What's going on in the world is terrible, but we can make the most out of a bad situation. Trying to get little jobs done and hitting our personal goals in this time can lead to a happier lifestyle after lockdown! How you react to the lockdowns is totally up to you, it's something nobody has ever experienced before. Sometimes, I want to make the most of my time at home.
Starting To Improve Your Productivity
I read an amazing article which looked at boredom as a notification from your brain to do something. Next time you're sitting down, bored of clicking "next episode", try to do something more productive. If you're like me, you forget EVERYTHING. One of the most effective things I've found was to write a "bored list", which has helped me to increase my productivity a lot recently. A bored list is a long list of things you need to do, but keep putting off. They don't need to be done instantly, but should be done at some point. When you're bored or feeling inspired, pick something off the list. Hopefully, you'll be able to complete your list and get everything done! This list is different to a typical to-do list, because they're things you want to do, not need to do. For example, here are some things on my productive bored list:
- List some new items on eBay to clear more space
- Update an old blog post & improve it's SEO
- Put my clothes on the nice new hangars I bought, and get rid of the plastic ones
- Take a bunch of Instagram pictures in bulk
- Pick out & schedule my carpet to be redone
Productive Blogging Tasks
- Give your blog a new theme & switch up the colour scheme
- Go through and fix all of your broken links
- Return and reply to comments given on your blog
- Update old blog posts with new links & relevant information
- Schedule posts & social media tweets for the week or month
- Plan your next month's worth of content
- Write a backup blog post or your next piece
- Take Instagram and blog pictures in bulk
- Answer all of your DMs & emails
- Backup your blog!!!
Productive Household Tasks
- Re-do a room of your house
- Sort through your wardrobe and donate some items or sell them online
- Plan out your week
- Do some e-waste disposal and clear your phone/laptop of any old files and photos
- Create a budget
- Spring clean your home and get rid of anything you don't need
- Give your tired rooms a fresh coat of paint
- Donate old books and reorganise the bookshelf
- Organise your food cupboards and donate food you won't use
- Get rid of the old school shoes in your cabinet
- Take on a DIY project to update your home
- Tidy up the garden & plant some pretty flowers
- Get rid of your old toothbrushes, empty make-up etc.
- Melt half-used candles and create your own to burn!
- Shred old & unnecessary paperwork you have lying around
- Send back any parcels you have been meaning to take to the post office
- Send letters to the people you love, thanking them
- Create a calender of all the important birthdays and events you have
- Shred paperwork and reorganise your important filing
- Sell your old CDs and DVDs to places like Music Magpie
Personal Development Tasks
- Find a new & practical hobby to try out
- Revise for that upcoming test or exam
- Learn about something new at an online university
- Book yourself on a food safety or first aid course
- Let go of the past & have a more positive outlook on life
- Do an at-home workout
- Take an online course and learn something interesting
- Read a book or finish one that you have started
- Listen to a motivating podcast
- Learn a new language, or even sign language
- Start practising self-care and mindfulness
- Start a mood board
- Do all of the little jobs you've been putting off, e.g. answering that email, putting up that shelf, etc.
- Refresh your skin care routine
- Go to the spa and look after your mind and body
- Take time to update your CV - you never know when an opportunity may pop up!
Fun But Productive Things To Do
- Adopt a pet from a shelter
- Start a new side hustle
- Plan a trip/holiday for when everything is safe again
- Catch up with family and friends of video chat
- Learn the art of baking and cooking
- Organise your desktop and sort out computer files
- Learn to play an instrument
- Start a YouTube channel and earn some money
Community Action
- Volunteer somewhere safely, e.g. a local community action group
- Donate your old cans to a food bank
- Work at your local charity shop - they have lots of donations to sort through
- Shop at charity shops instead of fast fashion retailers
- Pick up some litter from the beach
- Help those in need with household jobs or raking leaves
- Help struggling students with online learning
- Create care packages for those in need
- Organise a planting day at your local park
- Volunteer as a COVID tester
- Support local businesses by going on an online spree
I hope that these ideas give you some inspiration! While it is nice to be productive, don't feel pressured to be doing something every day. Take a break when it feels like too much. If you overwork yourself, you'll be less likely to finish more tasks. There are so many things to do around the house, so what are you waiting for? I'd love to hear what things you like to do when you're feeling on a roll! Let me know what your favourite things to do are. I'd love to get some more ideas!
8 comments
Me and my mum have decided to have a Harry Potter marathon as I’ve read the books but, I’ve never seen the films! I can’t wait.
ReplyDeleteAl x
That is such a good idea! The films are pretty good, I hope you have a lovely marathon!
DeleteEm x
Such a helpful post! I love the idea of adopting a pet!
ReplyDeleteSerena / http://www.ramblingsofanotherunigraduate.com
aww thank you! Honestly, I am so close to getting a dog!
DeleteYep been doing that all week. Lol
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, although I'm rarely bored :- D I liked that you mentioned that we don't have to be productive every day!
ReplyDeleteDaniela
www.danielanina.com
One of things I did to stay productive was to start removing items out of my clothes I no longer needed. This help me to have more space in the closet as well as donate items to places like Goodwill so that others can wear them. Great post of ideas.
ReplyDeleteI just moved so I haven't had the chance to be bored but I know in a month or two, "I'm bored" will probably be something I say lol Saving this for later! Thank you so much for this post.
ReplyDelete