Is social media wasting your time or stressing you out? Today, I’m going to talk about over 100 things to do instead of social media. 

In a recent article, Why I Took A Year Long Work and Social Media Break, I talked about how I’m spending a lot less time on social media than I used to.

This is an area I still struggle with, but I’m doing much better these days. When I think back, it's crazy how much time I was wasting.

I would wonder where hours of my time went, quite often too.

Since I took my break, I realized that there are so many things to do instead of social media. This has made me more productive, happier, I’m more active, and more.

Now, social media isn't all bad, and I still enjoy being on social media. I love how it allows me to connect with people around the world, see new things, think of new ideas, and enjoy what other people are doing.

However, it can also cause you to waste a ton of time.

I've seen different studies that claim the average person spends hours and hours a day simply scrolling through social media.

And, many people end up with a daily schedule like this:

• You wake up and the first thing you do is look at your phone to check Facebook or Instagram.
• Then, you may look at it over breakfast.
• You check it out again when you get to work.
• You scroll through Facebook or Instagram during you lunch break.
• Scroll through your feed in between classes (or even in class).
• Then again after work.
• Before bed.
• I know some people who check social media if they wake up in the middle of the night.

Seriously, you probably look at your phone and social media all throughout the day!

So today, I want to talk about tons of different things to do instead of social media.

Many of these same things can apply if you are trying to cut back on your TV watching as well!

If you feel like you aren't accomplishing your goals or that you are always pressed for time, then you should first analyze how much time you're wasting each day, especially when it comes to how much time you are spending on social media.

You may not even realize how much time you spend on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all of your other social media accounts.

Once you realize how much time you may be wasting on social media, I want you to start taking back some of that time and put it to better use!

Related: How To Be More Productive: 17 Tips To Help You Live A Better Life

Here are over 100 things to do instead of social media.

 

Don't wake up or go to bed with your phone.

This is something that I am really trying to work on. I am no longer bringing my laptop to bed, but I do need to stop bringing my phone into bed with me. It makes it really hard to stay off of social media.

I know people who put their phone down after a certain time, and don't look at it again until the next morning. This is something that I think more people should do, including myself!

By changing this simple habit, you may be able to take back control of your life.

 

Learn and experience new areas of life.

Staying away from social media will be hard at first, but it may cause you to try new things and have brand new experiences. You may find yourself trying things you never expected, and many things you’ve always wanted to do more of.

And, there are always new things to learn and experience. There are so many things that you can try that will improve your life, help you grow, and learn more about yourself. Plus, you will never know what you are talented at unless you try some of them. You may even find a new hobby or skill that you love doing.

Here are new things to try and learn instead of scrolling through social media:

• Make a new recipe. Are you tired of cooking the same things all the time? Learning how to cook something outside of your comfort zone can be one of the best things to do instead of social media.
• Listen to music and/or make a music playlist.
• Listen to a podcast. There are tons of different kinds of podcasts out there, from informative to educational to funny and everything else. Take your pick.
• Write in a journal. Taking time to jot down your thoughts can be great for the mind and soul!
• Create goals for yourself. These goals can help you grow.
• Plan a trip with friends or family. Planning a vacation can take up a lot of time, but it’s fun to research and explore new places. If you want to save money, do a staycation.
• Have fun with a coloring book. Yes, there are even adult coloring books!
• Go to a museum. When was the last time you went to a museum?
• Visit the library. You can borrow books or movies, which you can then bring home and have a fun night in with friends and/or family. Some libraries even lend out state and national park passes, camping equipment, and more.
• Join a book club. 
• Learn a new skill. There are so many things to do instead of social media that you can  learn to do, such as how to knit, crochet, dance, draw, paint, rock climbing, fishing, cooking, and more.
• Read a book, blog, etc. If you're looking for things to do instead of social media, then reading can be a much better option.
• Learn a new language. There are apps, books, and classes you can take.
• Attend a concert. Even better, find free concerts in your area!
• Learn how to invest. Investing is important because it means you are making your money work for you. If you weren’t investing, your money would just be sitting there and not earning a thing. This is important to note because $100 today will not be worth $100 in the future if you just let it sit under a mattress or in a checking account. Learn how to invest at The 6 Steps To Take To Invest Your First Dollar – Yes, It’s Really This Easy!

 

Go outside more.

Some of the best things to do instead of social media are being active and going outside. 

This can help to improve your mind, your well-being, your health, and more.

Below is a quick list of different things to do instead of social media that are outside:

• Go for a bike ride.
• Go for a hike.
• Do yoga.
• Meditate.
• Geocache.
• Go kayaking or canoeing.
• Go rock climbing.
• Go for a walk, even just around your neighborhood.
• Play with your pet.
• Go for a swim.
• Gaze at the stars.
• Go fishing.
• Pick a new neighborhood in your city and explore it.
• Go camping.
• Have a picnic.
• Have a bonfire.
• Take a walking tour of your city.
• Watch the sunset or sunrise.
• Go for an outdoor scavenger hunt with friends.
• Find free attractions in your city.
• Train for a marathon.

Read more at How To Be Frugal And Fun (And Not Boring). This article has lots of things to do instead of social media that are outside and won’t break your budget.

 

Improve your productivity.

When you cut out or lower the amount of time that you spend on social media, you may find time for things in life that you wouldn't normally have time to do.

Many of these things may increase your productivity, which will allow you to save even more time!

It's like a double whammy – save time by cutting out social media, and then use that time to help you save even more time.

Here are some things to do instead of social media that will improve your productivity:

• Organize a room in your home (or even just a drawer!).
• Unsubscribe from those annoying emails that are cluttering your inbox.
• Clean up your phone so that you have more storage.
• Cancel any unwanted subscriptions – this is one of the things to do instead of social media that can help you organize your bills and finances.
• Check something off your to-do list.
• Start a bullet journal for a fun way to organize your day or week.
• Find ways to improve your workflow.
• Tackle your laundry pile.
• Weekly meal plan.
• Do the dishes.
• Make your bed.
• Take out the trash.
• Set your bills up for auto-pay.
• Find ways to save money.

And, I'm sure this list of productive things to do instead of social media is endless. You'll feel great tackling the things on your list that you may not usually have time for.

 

Do things around your home during your social media break.

Pretty much every household has a list of things that needs to be completed.

However, you may procrastinate by being on social media. Well, you should stop that now and finally tackle your to-do list!

Here are several household ideas for things to do instead of social media:

• Organize. You could organize paperwork, drawers, crafts, your basement and/or attic, and more.
• Declutter. Most people have way too much clutter – start getting rid of some of it!
• Clean out your pantry.
• DIY projects. Everyone has that project they want to complete. Why don't you start doing it?
• Paint a room in your home.
• Pick a room and do a deep clean.
• Trim and repot your plants.
• Spend time cooking better meals. Who doesn't want to eat better?!
• Rearrange your furniture. This can make your house feels fresh and new.
• Complete regular maintenance tasks around your home. There's almost always something to do around your house when it comes to maintenance.
• Fix something around your home. Pretty much everyone has something that's broken in their house. Spend some of your spare time and finally fix it!
• Improve your financial situation. Financial freedom is when you are able to live life without constantly worrying about money. It’s when you feel comfortable enough to follow your passion instead of thinking about the income you are bringing in. It allows you to not stress about an unexpected expense because you have an emergency fund. Financial freedom isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about how much you save, your financial habits, your financial goals, and more. Read more about this on Yes, You Can Reach Financial Freedom. Finding ways to improve your finances is one of the best things to do instead of social media!
• Start a garden. Fresh food is the best!

Related: 16 Alternatives To Cable TV That WILL Save You Money

 

Help others and the world around you.

There are so many things that you can do to help the world around you, and I think this is pretty much always a valuable use of your time.

I believe that random acts of kindness can benefit everyone. Random acts of kindness can positively impact others and they are great for your soul too.

Whether the gesture is grand or itty bitty, every act goes a long way. The smallest thing can make someone’s day and completely change how they are feeling!

This list of things to do instead of social media will put a smile on your face and on the faces of others around you:

• Donate items from your home. Another thing you could do is donate an item for every new item you bring home. So, each time you buy a shirt, donate a shirt!
• Volunteer for something that you are passionate about.
• Smile and say hello to everyone you cross paths with. I do this with everyone I see and it’s always great when someone does it back.
• Donate blood.
• Bring a trash bag on a walk and collect any trash that you may come across.
• Foster an animal. If you’re able to, possibly adopt a new pet as well.
• Research and donate to a new charity.
• Read books at a school, hospital, or nursing home.
• Become a Big Brother or a Big Sister.
• Create ready-to-go-bags for the less fortunate that you come across. You can help the homeless by filling a bag with a small bottle of water, a quick snack such as raisins, gloves, toothpaste, a toothbrush, small packets of dog food (their dogs are hungry too!), and more.

Find more things to do instead of social media that will better the world around you, read 58 Random Acts Of Kindness.

 

Seek out ways to make more money.

I talk a lot about making extra money, and I do this because I truly believe that learning about and actually making extra money can change your life.

If you’re looking for things to do instead of social media, improving making money improving your financial situation can help you now and well into the future.

By cutting back on social media, you’ll be surprised at all of the free time you have. You may have 10, 20, or even more hours each week to spend on making more money!

Here are several things to do instead of social media, and you can make extra money!

• Teach English online. VIPKID and Education First are two popular companies for teaching English online.
• Walk dogs and/or pet sit for extra money. If you love animals, then you may want to look into walking dogs or pet sitting. Rover is a great company to sign up with in order to become a dog walker and pet sitter. Learn more about this at Rover – A Great Way To Make Money And Play With Animals.
• Start a blog. The top thing I recommend doing to make money is to start a blog! Blogging is how I make a living, and just a few years ago I never thought it would be possible. In fact, before I started my blog, I didn’t even know that blogs existed! I currently earn around $100,000 a month with my blog. I also have a Free How To Start and Launch A Money-Making Blog Course that you can join, and it will help you start and launch a successful blog.
• Start a business. Are you thinking about starting your own business? The Small Business Roadmap will show you what steps to take to start your own business.
• Proofread for a living. In 2014, Caitlin made slightly over $43,000 as a freelance proofreader, while also going on several fun vacations. If you are looking for things to do instead of social media, this may be something to look into. Learn more at Make Money Proofreading By Becoming A Freelance Proofreader.
• Edit content. Websites, books, courses, and more all need editors! No matter how many times a person reads a piece of content, something usually slips through. If you’re a grammar-nut, then this can be a great way to make money.
• Become a photographer. Do you love photography? You might be able to make money as a wedding photographer, portrait photographer, event photographer, and more. Learn more at How To Make $25,000 – $45,000 A Year As A New Photographer.
• Host a garage sale. A garage sale can be a great use of your time because you can finally get rid of the extra stuff laying around your home as well as make some money!
• Answer surveys. Survey companies I recommend include American Consumer Opinion, Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, VIP Voice, Pinecone Research, Opinion Outpost, Survey Spot, and Harris Poll Online. These survey companies are free to join and free to use! You get paid to answer surveys and to test products. It’s best to sign up for as many as you can, as that way you can receive the most surveys and make the most money.
• Run Facebook ads for local businesses. Did you know that you can earn an extra $1,000-$2,000 a month working as a digital ads manager on Facebook? Bobby Hoyt of Millennial Money Man teaches you how to set up your own mini digital marketing agency on Facebook in the Facebook Side Hustle Course. His free course (you can sign up here) will teach you how to start this business even if you're brand new, how to find paying clients, and more. Read the full interview at How To Make $1,000 Extra In Your Spare Time With Facebook.
• Become a bookkeeper. Ben, founder of Bookkeeper Business Academy, explains how becoming a bookkeeper may be a possibility for you. Ben helps people start and grow their own bookkeeping business with his online bookkeeping course. And, guess what? You don’t have to be an accountant or have any previous experience! This can be a great way to find something to do instead of scrolling on social media. Learn more at Make Money At Home By Becoming A Bookkeeper.
• Become an Uber or Lyft driver. Spending your spare time driving others around can be a great money maker. Read more about this in my post How To Become An Uber Or Lyft Driver. 
• Sell on Amazon. If you want to find a good use of your time, then you may want to start an Amazon FBA business! Jessica Larrew, of The Selling Family, explains how selling on Amazon may be a possibility for you. She is a friend of mine, and I am blown away by her success! In the first year that Jessica’s family ran their Amazon FBA business together, working less than 20 hours a week total, they made over six figures profit! If you are looking for a new job, or even just a side hustle, this is one of the many things to do instead of social media that you want to look into. Learn more at How To Work From Home Selling On Amazon FBA.
• Deliver groceries or food. Food delivery services are getting more and more popular to use, and there are lots of companies out there you can work for, like Postmates, DoorDash, UberEats, Shipt, etc.
• Sell/donate blood, plasma, eggs, etc. Yup, all of these can be sold for a price, and you can definitely make extra money by doing so. Women can earn anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more for their eggs, depending on their characteristics. Egg donors are typically under the age of 30 and healthy. African American women and Asian American women usually earn the most money as there is a larger need for their eggs. This is not easy money, though. There are a number of doctor’s visits, and extracting the eggs requires a medical procedure. For sperm, the average donation pays anywhere from $50 to $100. It can be quite easy to donate, and some men donate as much as 2-3 times each week.
• Mystery shop. If you're looking for things to do instead of social media, then you may want to try mystery shopping. Yes, you can actually get paid to shop at stores and eat at restaurants! A few years ago, I mystery shopped a lot to make extra income. I made anywhere from $150 to $200 a month mystery shopping and received free meals, makeup, and more. I only used Bestmark for mystery shopping, so I know that they are a 100% legitimate company. There are other legitimate mystery shopping companies that exist, but you do want to do your research. Learn more at How To Become a Mystery Shopper.
• Go through your house or closet and sell your gently used items online. You can make extra money selling things on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, etc. 
• There are tons of other things to do instead of social media that can help you make more money. Please check out 17 Best Online Jobs for even more ideas.

 

Build better relationships with those around you.

By cutting back on social media, you will hopefully be able to use that extra time to build better relationships with those around you.

So many people simply sit on their phones while eating with friends and family, while out doing activities with others, and so on. Unfortunately, this may hurt your relationships with the people you care about.

But with more time, you can improve the relationships you have with friends, family, and even strangers.

By finding ways to take more social media breaks, you can finally regain your life and improve your relationships. Also, you never know if someone wants you to reach out to them.

Here are things to do instead of social media that will help you build better relationships with those around you:

• Call someone you love. A phone call may be exactly what you or someone else needs right now. Everyone texts these days (including myself), but I am working on actually having more phone calls. It's been weird after years of pretty much no phone calls for me!
• Send someone a handwritten letter or a thank you note in the mail. Taking the time to do this can go a long way.
• Host a movie night. This is a great and frugal way to spend time with friends or family.
• Spend time in-person with family or a friend. You can never have too much quality time. Or, if they are far away, plan a time to do a video call!
• Do volunteer work with a friend. You can build a stronger bond with a friend when you work together on something you both care about.
• Plan a get-together. Getting everyone together can be a great way to catch up.
• Start an accountability group with a friend. You can do weekly check-ins, talk about how you’re progressing towards your goals, and motivate and encourage each other. 
• Cook a meal for someone important to you. Whether a friend just had a baby or if you know someone who is having a hard time, cooking a meal can mean a lot.
• Talk to a stranger. So many times when we are out in public, we simply just stare at our phones instead of being aware of what is going on around us. Perhaps strike up a conversation with a stranger? You never know who you will meet or how much they would like to speak to someone!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this list of things to do instead of social media!

How many hours do you spend on social media each day and week? What do you think you could do with a social media break? What other things to do instead of social media do you suggest?

The post 100+ Things To Do Instead Of Social Media appeared first on Making Sense Of Cents.

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