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[Solo Time] A roundup of ways to kill time without using your smartphone
You can do just about anything with a smartphone these days—keeping in touch with people, surfing the web, watching videos, even working.
But every now and then, you might find yourself wondering about this lifestyle of relying on your phone for everything.
In this article, we’ve put together some boredom-busting ideas to support your intention to “put your phone down and try something different” as a little change of pace.
It’s not quite a full-on digital detox, but you might be surprised at how refreshing it feels once you give it a try.
Start with a small try!
“Me-Time” Non-Smartphone Ways to Kill Time (1–10)
Calligraphy
Precisely because we write fewer letters in the smartphone era, why not turn your attention to handwritten lettering? How about trying calligraphy in your spare moments—a touch that instantly elevates the style of any letter.
Calligraphy is a technique for making the alphabet look beautiful by hand, a form of expression long cherished mainly in Europe and the Middle East.
There are many type styles, so it’s great to practice the ones you like best! Dipping a pen nib in ink and writing is also an out-of-the-ordinary experience, so give it a try as a refreshing change of pace.
Origami for Adults
Many of you probably played with origami as children.
Now that we’re adults, why not rediscover its charm? It’s great for taking a break when you’re tired of looking at your smartphone or for enjoying some solo time.
Traditional origami kusudama are visually striking and can even serve as room decor.
Some of you might remember seeing them at your grandmother’s house or a community center.
Choosing pastel colors like in the video gives it a stylish finish.
Making lots of pieces can take patience, but it’s perfect for passing the time.
DIY puzzle
How about spending some downtime with a stylish, finely crafted 3D wooden puzzle? Because the entire puzzle is made of wood, you can enjoy the comforting warmth and aroma of the material.
Unlike plastic models, there’s no need to paint—it’s great for those who prefer to appreciate the natural grain and texture of wood or find painting a hassle.
With plenty of varieties like dollhouses, animals, cars, and buildings, you might have a hard time choosing what to make.
If you’re good with your hands or want to take on a more advanced puzzle, be sure to check them out.
Magic practice
The “magic practice” you can secretly do even during class is a popular way to pass the time—you just quietly move your hands and have fun.
The method is to hide a pen in one hand and an eraser in the other; with a smooth motion of your hands, the pen seems to vanish, and then the eraser appears.
By adjusting the order in which you show them and the angle of your hands, it looks as if the objects have swapped places in a mysterious way.
It takes not only dexterity but also a bit of acting and timing, so it’s a good workout for your brain, too.
Since you can practice quietly without drawing attention and it serves as a nice change of pace, it’s perfect for a quick break during a long class.
Once you get the hang of it, you might even surprise your friends!
Highest-difficulty disentanglement puzzle
When you think of a quick pastime item, a “disentanglement puzzle” probably comes to mind.
These puzzles have different difficulty levels, and the one introduced in this video is the highest difficulty puzzle, “Cast News.” It barely even looks like a traditional wire puzzle anymore! “Cast News” is a box-style puzzle that you tackle by “reading” its internal structure, similar to a karakuri (mechanical) box.
It looks like a small box, and the goal is to ultimately take it apart.
You’ll need to imagine the internal mechanism and solve it, so it really makes you think.
The video also features various other types of disentanglement puzzles, so why not give them a try to pass the time?
Guitar
Many people have admired the guitar or thought, “I’d like to try playing it myself.” It might be nice to put down your smartphone for a change of pace, pick up a guitar, and practice! This video is recommended even for those who’ve gotten a guitar but haven’t played it yet, or who have tried multiple times and given up.
It explains the basics of guitar playing for beginners—from tuning before practice, how to hold a pick, how to fret chords, strumming, and chord changes.
It’s also great for anyone who wants to learn practice methods that help you avoid giving up.
Plastic model building
Many of you probably admired or were obsessed with plastic models when you were young.
It might be fun to revisit those childhood feelings and try building a plastic model during some alone time or as a way to pass the time! While following the instructions to assemble a model can be fairly straightforward, painting often becomes a hurdle for beginners.
This video clearly explains everything from the types of paints to painting methods in a beginner-friendly way, so be sure to use it as a reference.
It’ll definitely help you finish your beloved Gunpla—the dream of many men—in a cool, impressive way!