I have a reputation as one of the chronically online friends in my circle. A while ago, i looked through my screentime and i was shocked at the hours I dedicated to certain apps on my phone. I knew my doom scrolling was becoming questionable but i had no idea it had become the norm. If i wanted unwind, i would run straight to Instagram reels or pinterest to get my daily dose of dopamine.
I began fighting against this reality and looking for ways to get dopamine without scrolling mindlessly. This quest led me to revisit some of the activities i indulhed in as a child with no gadgets but books, toys and her siblings. I have compiled this list of my current five favourite screen free hobbies and how they keep me grounded.
- Reading Books
Ever since I was a kid, books have been a constant part of my life. My transition into adulthood has seen me become more vocal about reading. Sometimes, I fear that my love for books and reading have become my entire personality. Right now, I have eveolved from reading purely romance to other genres of fiction and non-fiction. I particularly enjoy classic texts (even though I can’t grasp some complicated stuuf) and memoirs. There’s just something about reading about the life of someone else that fascinates me.
When a book is in my hand and a story is so immersive, I forget the world around me. I don’t mind ebooks but my one true love would be the physical copy of a book. Even staring at my book pile and those of randos on the internet makes me happy. Seeing a stranger on the street with aboook makes me happy and I get grumpy when life prevents me from locking myself up in my room to finish my new book. The few books on my shelf I’m currently looking forward to reading are:
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
- Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko
- Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie
- Little Women by Lousia May Alcott
- Journaling
Growing up, writing letters was the most effective way I could communicate. I would write letters to members of my family and boys I liked in school. The feeling my mouth could not carry were present in my notes. I used to have notebooks and journals in high school where i recorded a few thoughts and feelings. Pretty notebooks were my kryptonite (and still are). I would fill these notes with fictional stories or information about my classmates or song lyrics or whatever. I loved writing and so I did.
In 2022, I went to the bookstore to buy post its. A pretty journal caught my eye and I paid for it. This saw me rediscover my love for writing. As a person who often struglles to process and vocalize my thoughts and feelings, this journal showed me that indeed, I have a lot to say. I now vent, dream and pray on the lines of my notebook. With my phone in another room, I print out journal prompts for gratitude lists and get busy. Or I just write about my day or any issues that upset me to gain clarity.
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Drawing, Painting, and Scrapbooking
Once upon a time, I would fill my empty school notebooks with magazine cutouts and write or draw silly doodles. As the era of magazines slowly dwindled, scrapbooking became a lost art for me. I barely drew my funny girl sketches and I picked up painting much later. With a few bucks, i went to get acrylics and brushes. Landscapes have always fascinated me and so i dabbled in those. I don’t paint anymore but I remeber how much i enjoyed it and how time flew by when i did. I was not good at it, no Bob Ross but creating felt really good and I look forward to trying it again.
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Baking Just Because
The calming effect kneading flour has on me ought to be studied. When I’m stressed, I often run to make cinnamon rolls or butter cookies to calm myself. The simple process of mixing ingredients, measuring and setting up the kitchen to bake is a joyful experience. Let’s not talk about the aroma that fills the kitchen and makes me want to dance and let light in through the windows. It feels like rays of sunlight and motes flying lazily around. It’s a way for me to unwind with the promise of a treat for coming days or even visitors sampling nice snacks.
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Laying Down Doing Nothing
Hands down one of my favourite activities. I rarely indulge because my overactive mind often ruins the quiet moments but on the days I’m able to just lay down or nap without thinking too much, that’s bliss. When the sun is not too hot, I often take a mat to go out and lay beneath the shade of a tree. Listening to the sounds of nature while soft breeze blows all around is a gift I rarely get. Life is often so hectic with no time to laze around. When I do this with friends, it’s even better. We could read a book or watch nature or take a nap in silence. A rejuvenating experience I highly recommend.
Conclusion
Screen free time is important to me for the simple reason that it helps me slow down. Life wears me out fast and these moments tend to remind me that there’s more to life than the noise around and even in my head. Taking time off has become a part of my weekly routine, an hour for activities that don’t require a screen.
Do you take time off from your devices? If yes, please leave a comment telling me what you indulge in.
