12 Simple Things to Do Instead of Scrolling (With Time Stamps)
We’ve all been there: reaching for our phone when we’re tired, bored, or in need of distraction. Ten minutes quickly turns into forty, and we’re left feeling drained instead of inspired. That quick scroll promises connection and entertainment but rarely gives either one in a way that leaves us satisfied or fulfilled.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to give up your moments of rest. You can simply replace them with activities that fill you up instead of emptying you out. These activities are not about “doing more” but about turning ordinary domestic skills you can easily do (or learn!) at home and creating something beautiful. When we trade mindless consumption for small acts of creativity, we discover that what was once considered “old fashioned life skills” can serve their purpose once again.
Below are twelve practical and creative activities that you can do instead of picking up your phone, so that you may reclaim the joy of purposeful living.
1. Bake Something Simple (~ 30 to 60 minutes)
Instead of scrolling through endless recipes online, choose one tried-and-true favorite. A quick loaf of banana bread takes minutes to mix and an hour to bake. Muffins take even less time, and are a sure comfort food for everyone in the house. You can stock up on box mixes for quick and easy treats, ]or learn how to use yeast or sourdough for something a bit more complex (though I admit…once you get the hang of it, it’s quite easy itself!)
Baking uses all your senses: measuring with your hands, breathing in the smell of something rising in the oven, tearing into it once it’s ready to serve. At the end, you’re left with something warm to share at the table.
2. Mend What’s Been Sitting in a Pile (5 – 15+ minutes, depending on task)
We all have a the stack of clothes that need a small repair. It could be a loose button, the seam that’s unraveling, the pair of pants waiting to be hemmed….tend to them! These tiny acts of care extend the life of what you already own, save money, and model resourcefulness for your children. There is something deeply grounding about restoring instead of discarding.
If you are up for it, and if it’s your style, there is a growing trend of hand embroidering patches on jeans, sweaters, or other clothing items. Check out this Pinterest Board for inspiration!
3. Tidy Just One Corner (20 minutes)
Scrolling makes hours disappear, while tidying one small space restores clarity. Choose a drawer, a shelf, or even just a basket in the living room. Often, we avoid cleaning because it feels overwhelming. But when you pick a single corner and tend to it fully, you’ll see immediate results. That one little space becomes a reminder that order is possible, even in the busiest season.
Tip: Time yourself for 20 minutes. I find that a diligent burst of cleaning or organizing a specific space should not take more than that. Otherwise, you may find yourself right back where you started….a mess!
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4. Write a Note – on Paper! (10 – 20 minutes)
When was the last time you received a handwritten note in the mail? A simple card to say “thinking of you” can brighten someone’s entire week. It doesn’t need to be long or poetic, just sincere. Keep a stack of blank notecards handy so you can write one while sipping some tea. Unlike a text that gets buried, a letter is held, saved, and remembered.
Before the advent of digital communications, letter writing was part of daily routine. It was how people stayed in touch, relayed news, asked for favors, or simply shared information. With today’s information overload, it may seem that letter writing is obsolete. I disagree! I would argue it is more of an art form now. I have never heard or seen a person who didn’t cherish a hand written note in the mail, addressed directly to them!
5. Chop Vegetables for Tomorrow (10 – 20 minutes)
If tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day, gift your future self a little peace. Chop onions, carrots, or peppers for a soup base. Wash and trim lettuce so it’s ready for a quick salad. Even ten minutes of prep sets you up for less stress later. It’s one of the simplest ways to love your tomorrow self.
If you are already meal prepping, great. If you find yourself having to do it all at once, where it takes you more than an hour on your weekend to do so, I encourage you to rethink your strategy. What is supposed to make life easier can often be a burden itself. Rethink how you use your time during the week. If you can spare 10 or 20 minutes here and there to meal prep, you may get part of your weekend back!
6. Step Outside and Harvest (20+ minutes)
If you have a garden, snip herbs for tonight’s dinner or bring in whatever’s ready. If not, simply step outside, water a potted plant, sweep the porch, or pick up fallen branches. Fresh air changes everything…..your energy, your mood, your perspective. It reminds you that the world is bigger than your screen, and more alive too.
Every season has it’s routines, so let them tell you what you can do. In the fall, collect the fallen leaves and branches (if you are adventurous, make a wreath!). In the winter, dust of some snow, sweep, or tend to anything that may still be growing. In the spring, look out for early wildflowers and feed some birds. In the summer, the world explodes in full bloom – take advantage!
7. Iron or Fold Laundry with Intention (15 – 30 minutes)
Laundry is one of those chores we rush through or half-do while distracted. You may send it out to be washed and dried, even folded…but we always must put them away at some point!
What if you treated it as an act of service? Ironing a shirt or folding towels neatly can be almost meditative when you give it your full attention. Put on soft music, breathe deeply, and turn folding into a rhythm of love. If you are in a home with mountains of baby clothes, all you need is time and a simple surrender than the baby phase won’t last forever. No matter how, taking the time to tend to the laundry with intention allows you to fully inventory what you have, what needs to be mended, and how best to use the items in the future.
8. Start a “Commonplace” Notebook (5 – 10 minutes)
For centuries, people kept commonplace books: simple notebooks filled with quotes, prayers, recipes, or observations that mattered to them. Instead of saving screenshots, try writing something down by hand. Copy a passage, a recipe you want to keep, or a line from a book that stirred you. Over time, you’ll create a personal treasury to revisit that is far more nourishing to mind and spirit than another scroll.
After all, once you take that screenshot or photo….how often do you remember to look back at it?
Need inspiration? Take a look at this Pinterest Board of Commonplace Books.
9. Try a Handcraft (20+ minutes)
Knit a few rows, embroider a simple flower, crochet a dishcloth, or doodle in a sketchpad. Handcrafts don’t have to be perfect or Instagram-worthy. The point is to work with your hands, slow your mind, and create something tangible. Over time, these little projects become heirlooms or daily-use items infused with memory and care.
I’m a fan of Herrschener’s craft store. I find their selections much more varied, intentional, and affordable that what you might find at Michael’s (RIP Joann’s!). Their seasonal kits often have bundle discount prices, which means you can order a craft that comes in variations for spring, summer, fall, and winter. I often share what I’m working on over on Youtube – check it out!
10. Make a Meal Plan (15 minutes)
You don’t need a full week of color-coded menus. Simply take stock of your current ingredients and jot down three meals you can make with what you already have. Maybe it’s pasta with canned tomatoes, a frittata with leftover veggies, or a sheet-pan chicken dinner. A short list takes the decision-making pressure off and makes evenings smoother.
TIP: Put the phone down and use a cookbook. Don’t have any cookbooks and not interested in buying any? Go to your local library! It seems we have forgotten how amazing resources our libraries are, and they sure do have cookbooks! Check a few out and turn a few pages every now and then. They can provide a different feel for recipes and stories that food blogs just don’t give.
11. Polish Something That’s Been Neglected (15 minutes)
There is a quiet satisfaction in restoring shine to something overlooked. Polish your shoes, wipe fingerprints off the stainless steel, or give a wooden table some oil. These small gestures don’t take long but lift the whole atmosphere of your home. Beauty and order nourish the soul just as much as food nourishes the body.
You also don’t need special products to do most of these tasks. You can make a simple furniture polish with a mix of 3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar. You can also add a bit of lemon juice. Baking soda and water can polish silver. If you don’t find a DIY recipe that works, use what you know does work: Windex!
12. Pray or Reflect in Silence (10+ minutes)
Even a few minutes spent in silences tests our patience, doesn’t it? Try it – close this article, put the phone down, and sit in silence for 10 minutes. It’s harder than we ever thought possible, but so necessary!
That’s why I love the rosary – there’s a tangible item in my hand that I can feel and move. Journaling does the same. Handwriting has become such a thing of the past, that we often forget the stamina needed to write a full page.
Simply sitting quietly with gratitude will refresh you more deeply than a digital scroll. These pauses aren’t wasted. Rather, they root you in what matters. It’s in the silence that clarity and peace finally have room to surface. What better use of time is that?
Share Your Other Ideas Below!
Scrolling often leaves us restless and our minds buzzing, but our hearts empty. But these small acts I shared above (baking, mending, tidying, tending) leave us with something tangible: food to share, clothes restored, a space refreshed, a heart stilled. The next time you feel the urge to reach for your phone, try one of these instead. You may discover that the simplest domestic tasks are not just chores, but anchors of purpose and peace.
The list doesn’t stop here though! Woodworking, building, hosting, planning….the list goes on. Share your favorite past times below!
Looking for more inspiration?
Check out the latest videos on my Youtube Channel to see what I’m making this week!
In faith and friendship,
