[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!
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- Perfect for killing time! Games you can play with two people.
[Solo Time] Smartphone-free ways to kill time (11–20)
muscle training
How about trying some ab workouts to build a six-pack during your alone time or to kill time? When we spend more time at home, it’s easy to become inactive.
That’s why training you can do right at home is so appealing.
This video features seven exercises that mainly target the abs, including the rectus abdominis and obliques.
Each is designed to be done for six minutes, but if it’s too tough, feel free to take breaks and don’t push yourself.
Consistency is key in strength training! Let’s aim for your ideal six-pack!
Candle making
How about handmaking candles—perfect for room decor or gifts—during some solo time without your smartphone? The appeal is that they’re easy to make using items from the 100-yen shop like candles, crayons, essential oils, and parchment paper! Melt the candles, color them with crayons, and pour layers of different colors to set; you’ll end up with cute, pop-style candles that look adorable.
If you use cutters, you can also make variations like hearts or stars, so you can create candles in your favorite shapes!
spring cleaning
I recommend doing a deep clean as a way to spend your free time without using your phone! For people who don’t like cleaning, it can feel like a major event.
Precisely because you have a little downtime now, why not tidy up your place and feel totally refreshed? Spending time in a clean room boosts both your mood and your performance compared to staying in a messy one.
In this video, we share clever, easy cleaning tips that cover every corner of your home—from starting with the bathroom to the living room, screens and windows, carpets, floors, and wet areas.
Be sure to use it as a reference!
Making dried vegetables
Why not try making nutrient-rich “dried vegetables” easily at home? Of course, vegetables are great raw or cooked, but drying them concentrates their nutrients! You might not often get the chance to make them, so it’s perfect for spare moments.
The process is simple: just cut your favorite vegetables—like burdock root, carrots, eggplant, onions—and dry them.
Use a mesh drying net you can even find at a 100-yen shop, and hang it in a well-ventilated place.
They should be almost completely dry in about two days.
Dried vegetables are delicious in soups and simmered dishes, so give it a try!
Handmade figure
If you’ve forgotten your smartphone and want to refresh yourself during solo or spare moments, we recommend making handmade figurines.
You can create them using only materials available at 100-yen shops—like stone clay, clay sculpting tools, and a craft knife—so it’s great for beginners too! As adults, we don’t often get chances to do clay crafts, so if you collect figurines and have thought about making your own, or if you’re good with your hands, give it a try.
You’ll grow very attached to a one-of-a-kind figurine you made yourself!
Finger Challenge
@yoshi_biyou_kogao Finger Challenge: Extra Edition!!#tiktok trainingThe Wonders of the Human BodyFinger Challenge
♬ Jumbled Mix 2024 with APT – MACHO (Macho)
The “finger challenge” looks easy at first glance, but once you try it, it’s surprisingly hard.
For example: “Can you hold your index finger down with your thumb and bend only your pinky without moving the others?” or “Put your hand flat on the desk and try lifting only your ring finger.” The structure of your hand gets in the way, so your fingers won’t move as you expect, and it’s tougher than you’d think.
It’s funny at first, but more and more people start getting serious as they go—that’s what makes this game so fun.
Since it uses no tools and makes no noise, it’s perfect for a sneaky little distraction or a quick refresher during class!
Yoga
When you stare at your smartphone for too long, do you get stiff shoulders or tired eyes and start feeling off? If so, I recommend stepping away from your phone for a bit and loosening up your whole body with yoga! I especially want people who avoid yoga because they think they’re not flexible to give it a try.
This yoga video is a 15-minute gentle yoga session for beginners.
The key is to feel with your body rather than think with your head—not only will it relax your whole body, it can also relieve shoulder stiffness! Listen to your body’s signals and let yoga soothe you.
Adult coloring book
Many of you probably remember playing with coloring books as children.
These days, adult coloring books are popular! While coloring books with adult themes like flowers, landscapes, and buildings are lovely, even kids’ character coloring books you can find at 100-yen shops can look surprisingly realistic and three-dimensional depending on how you color them.
Try focusing on light and shadow for contrast, or using a more mature color palette.
Getting absorbed in coloring can also help relieve stress and refresh your mood, so it’s highly recommended.
Kumiki puzzle
How about enjoying a wooden “kumiki” puzzle during your solo time or in spare moments? As you move your hands and fingers to assemble the pieces, you’ll engage muscles that don’t get used when you’re just holding a smartphone, and you’ll work your brain too—perfect for a refresh! That satisfying click when the wooden pieces fit together feels so good.
We don’t often get to experience the texture and grain of wood in daily life, so if you’re tired of touching your phone, give it a try.
household account book
A great way to spend solo time or spare moments without using your smartphone is to keep a handwritten household budget! Many people may have given up on budgeting before, but by writing it out by hand, you can grasp the flow of your money and it becomes easier for your brain to remember it.
Start by writing out your household budget on paper, such as a notebook or loose-leaf.
Next, list your income and your monthly expenses to visualize your cash flow for the month.
The act of writing lets you focus on one thing and clear your mind, so it’s sure to make you feel refreshed!