10 things to do instead of scrolling social media
Tired of endlessly scrolling? Feeling the void that social media left when you decided to switch off? You’re not alone.
Social media is an incredible way to stay connected with loved ones through videos, messages, and photos. But if we are being honest, it can easily sneak in and start taking over more of our daily lives than we’d like. Even when we’re trying to step away, it’s easy to pick up our phones out of habit, not knowing what else to do with the time. That’s why taking a break every now and then is important. Using that time to try something new or distract yourself with something offline can make such a difference!
Take a break from social media with a digital detox
The HMD Skyline offers a large range of features including an incredible 108MP back camera, 50 MP front camera, selfie gesture capabilities and Gen 2 self-repairability. The HMD Skyline also comes in three gorgeous colors; Neon Pink, Twisted Black, and Topaz Blue, the perfect accessory to any outfit. This phone is a great fit for your selfie and content creation needs. However, when you’re looking to take a break from the daily notification swarm, HMD Skyline also offers the incredible digital Detox Mode feature which allows you to block notifications from certain apps or block access to those chosen apps all together.
If you’re feeling a more permanent or ‘hardcore’ digital detox, switching to a feature phone is a great way to ensure you’re not able to access social media. Simply take your sim card out of your smartphone and place it in your feature phone. Phone calls and SMS text messages work as normal, meaning that you’re still contactable but not distracted by your smartphone. HMD also offers an amazing range of feature phones to fit what you may need including the perfectly pink HMD Barbie™ phone and the iconic throwback Nokia 3210.
10 things I can do instead of going on social media:
- Read a book
- Learn to knit
- Explore your city
- Try a new hobby, why not pottery?
- Learn a new card game
- Try a new café
- Meditate
- Try a new sport
- Write a letter
- Go to the cinema
1. Read a book – Replace those POVs with written stories
All that scrolling on social media has surely given you at least one book recommendation, if not, let your digital detox wait five minutes and head over to #booktok to see some more personalized recommendations. Reading is a cliché response when being told what to do instead of social media but it is a great way to continue to exercise the mind, explore other perspectives and encourage an increased attention span, all without picking up your phone. Books can help replace those POV story times you’ve been consuming on social media or help you develop a new skill or perspective on things happening outside of your phone.
2. Learn to Knit – Warm up by knitting a scarf
A wool based activity doesn’t have to be reserved for the previous (and preferably forgotten about) COVID-19 lockdowns. Coming into the colder months, learning to knit or crochet is not only a fun learning experience, but a practical hobby. Learning to knit or crochet something as cool as a scarf can be simple but a fun way to stay off social media. There are plenty of books and video tutorials on ‘how to knit’ and ‘how to crochet’ which will give you the basic skills needed to complete some cool projects. For more time-consuming projects, a jumper or beanie is a fun item to create.
If you’re trying to make it a social activity, knitting can be done with friends while sitting and chatting, or if you’re feeling like you want some more ‘me time,’ pop on a movie and knit/crochet away!
3. Explore your city – Best places to go for a run/walk
Being a tourist where you live is the perfect way to explore your city and get out of the house. A great way to do this is by going for a run or a walk. This can be done with your loved ones or by yourself and is a fun way to exercise the mind body and soul. Many major cities and towns have pre-planned walking/running routes that you can Google, or simply stick to the path and see where your journey takes you.
As an offshoot of this activity, joining a run club joining a run club is a great way to turn seeing new places into a social activity with likeminded individuals. Run clubs are extremely popular, with most major cities having multiple run clubs that do multiple different routes or route lengths.
4. Pottery class, anyone? – Create the best gift
Another practical and fun hobby to take up is pottery! We’ve noticed these days pottery studios are popping up in so many places. In most cases they provide you with everything you need for the class; the clay, the equipment, the instructor, etc. Do anything from making matching mugs with your friends to creating the perfect trinket dish to gift Mom or Dad for their birthday.
Pre-digital detox, head to your creative platform of choice and find some great clay-spiration and then put that phone down and get creating! Besides, your hands will be too dirty, and you’ll be having too much fun, you won’t want to touch your phone.
5. Learn a new card game – DEALing with the lack of social media
Card games are a fun and easy way to spend quality time with friends—no social media required! Whether it’s classic games with a standard deck of cards or other popular favorites, there’s something for everyone to play and enjoy. These games are perfect for sparking some friendly competition and creating memories together. The thing that is great about card games is that they can be played almost anywhere, making them a great option for any gathering, whether you’re at home, on a trip, or just hanging out at a local café.
6. Visit a new café – The best cafés in your area are going to see a lot of you
About hanging out at that café, it’s time to put all that scrolling to good use by finally visiting some of those viral cafés everyone can’t stop posting about. It’s the perfect excuse to get out and explore—whether it’s somewhere new or a spot right in your local area that you’ve always wanted to try. Heading to a café with friends or family gives you a chance to catch up and connect over some great food and drinks without distractions from social media.
And, if the latest viral sensation isn’t really your vibe, you can try finding your own hidden location. Take a walk with a friend and pop into new places. There’s something so satisfying about discovering a cosy corner that feels like it’s all yours. And of course, with the HMD Skyline, you can still snap a cheeky brunch pic to save and upload once your digital detox comes to an end ;)
7. Meditate – Breathe in your new way of life without socials
Meditation might seem like a simple suggestion for spending time away from social media, but it can also be a powerful tool for relaxation and self-reflection. It teaches you how to be present, embrace stillness, and enjoy moments of doing nothing, which can be a rare skill in today’s social media run world. There are countless free apps available on your phone’s application store that offer guided meditations in a variety of lengths, making it easy to fit into your schedule.
Many people find that meditation helps boost their focus and attention while improving different aspects of their mental wellbeing. So, whether you’re new to it or already a fan, taking a few minutes to meditate can be a refreshing way to recharge and reconnect with yourself.
8. Try a new sport – Football and basketball and rugby…oh my!
Besides going for a walk/run, there are plenty of other ways to stay active and stay off social media. Taking up a sport is a great option, whether it’s something individual like tennis or swimming, or a team sport like football, basketball, rugby, or hockey.
Team sports are an especially great choice because they come with the bonus of social interaction. You’ll get to train, play, and bond with your teammates while improving your skills and staying off social media. And when you’re not with the team, you can always practice on your own to level up your game. It’s a fun and fulfilling way to stay fit and build connections.
9. Write a letter – Stay in touch the old-fashioned way
If you are missing chatting to your friends through social media, try getting in touch with them the old-fashioned way. Writing a letter is a creative and personal way to chat with loved ones. Start by finding out your friends’ addresses, grabbing some paper and practicing your best handwriting.
It is surprisingly fun putting pen to paper in a way that feels more thoughtful than a quick text or social media post. Plus, your friends will love the surprise of receiving a handwritten letter. It’s a meaningful gesture in a world dominated by screens.
10. Go to the cinema – A great excuse to stay off your phone altogether
Want time off your phone and social media but still craving a screen? The cinema is the place for you! No one wants to see that bright glowing light coming from your hands in a dark room when you’re trying to watch a movie. Turn your phone all the way off and enjoy watching a movie in silence, either by yourself or with a loved one. It’s a great excuse to truly switch off and enjoy some somewhat quiet time without distractions.