We’ve all been there : You open your phone for “just a minute,” and suddenly half an hour disappears into endless scrolling. It feels passive, numbing, and often leaves you more drained than before. The truth is, most of us don’t actually enjoy doomscrolling, we just fall into it because it’s easy and always available.

In this post, I’ll share a list of simple things you can do instead. Indoors, outdoors, and even digital alternatives, so you can swap empty scrolling for activities that actually add value to your day.

Indoors

1. Read a book

2. Write in a journal

3. Paint or draw

4. Do a puzzle

5. Play a board game

6. Bake bread or cake

7. Try a new recipe

8. Stretch or do yoga

9. Meditate

10. Declutter a room

11. Organize your closet

12. Rearrange furniture

13. Do a home workout

14. Write a poem or short story

15. Practice handwriting or calligraphy

16. Play an instrument

17. Start a scrapbook

18. Make a vision board

19. Write a gratitude list

20. Do DIY crafts

21. Try origami

22. Knit, sew, or crochet

23. Read magazines or newspapers

24. Play chess or checkers

25. Learn magic tricks

26. Try mindful breathing

27. Create a photo album (printed)

28. Cook a family dinner

29. Do indoor gardening (herbs)

30. Practice singing

31. Write a bucket list

32. Draw mandalas or patterns

33. Journal future goals

34. Create a cozy reading corner

35. Sort old keepsakes

36. Practice storytelling aloud

37. Build LEGO or model kits

38. Do a science experiment

39. Try candle-making

40. Write letters to friends

41. Learn a card game

42. Do indoor meditation with music

43. Try baking something from another culture

44. Make homemade gifts

45. Create a puzzle yourself

46. Practice photography indoors

47. Do vision journaling

48. Try building a paper model

49. Organize your bookshelf

50. Practice balance or stretching exercises

Outdoors

1. Go for a walk

2. Go jogging

3. Ride a bike

4. Go hiking

5. Have a picnic

6. Try outdoor yoga

7. Do stretching in the park

8. Swim in a pool or lake

9. Play soccer

10. Play basketball

11. Play tennis

12. Play frisbee

13. Rollerblade or skateboard

14. Do outdoor bodyweight exercises

15. Walk your dog

16. Try outdoor meditation

17. Go fishing

18. Do birdwatching

19. Read a book outside

20. Paint nature scenery

21. Take nature photos (with camera)

22. Plant flowers or vegetables

23. Collect leaves or stones

24. Explore a new neighborhood

25. Visit a playground

26. Stargaze at night

27. Watch a sunset or sunrise

28. Fly a kite

29. Go camping (even in backyard)

30. Build a bonfire (where allowed)

31. Try slacklining

32. Do journaling in nature

33. Pick fruits or berries

34. Do a scavenger hunt

35. Play tag or hide and seek

36. Visit a farmer’s market

37. Feed ducks at a pond

38. Try outdoor photography of people

39. Do a running challenge

40. Visit a botanical garden

41. Try cycling long-distance

42. Go to the beach

43. Practice tai chi outdoors

44. Visit a local landmark

45. Try geocaching with maps

46. Explore a forest trail

47. Do mindfulness walking

48. Join an outdoor class (dance, yoga)

49. Play volleyball

50. Sit on a bench and observe people

Digitals

1. Organize computer files

2. Clean up your desktop

3. Sort and delete old emails

4. Create folders for projects

5. Organize digital photos

6. Back up files to hard drive/cloud

7. Update your CV/resume

8. Refresh LinkedIn profile

9. Create a new playlist

10. Delete unused apps

11. Update your password list

12. Create a budget spreadsheet

13. Track monthly expenses

14. Make a digital habit tracker

15. Update your calendar

16. Plan your week digitally

17. Write blog drafts

18. Edit old photos

19. Create templates (emails, docs)

20. Sort bookmarks in browser

21. Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters

22. Organize cloud storage

23. Build a digital vision board

24. Try digital art or design

25. Set up a Notion workspace

26. Clean up downloads folder

27. Create a project plan

28. Write a goals document

29. Organize inspiration (Pinterest, Notion)

30. Collect recipes digitally

31. Make a reading list

32. Update software/apps

33. Clean up phone storage

34. Review and organize notes

35. Plan a trip digitally

36. Create a digital budget tracker

37. Build a personal website or portfolio

38. Update your contacts list

39. Create a productivity dashboard

40. Review your online subscriptions

41. Create custom wallpapers

42. Make a “year in review” file

43. Sort and tag photos

44. Set reminders for goals

45. Organize study materials

46. Create a gratitude doc

47. Build a side-project folder

48. Create a time-blocking plan

49. Collect inspiring quotes

50. Review and update your digital goals

Conclusion

Doomscrolling will always be the easiest option, but it doesn’t have to be your default. By choosing small, intentional activities instead, you create space for energy, focus, and even joy in your day.

Try swapping just one scrolling session with something from this list, and notice how different you feel.