I’m sure we’d all like to be more productive and fill our spare time with meaningful activities that will enhance our lives in some way…girlboss-style. I’m also sure that most of us are guilty of getting home from work, throwing on a pair of sweatpants and vegetating in front of Netflix for three solid hours. So here are 10 productive things to do instead of watching Netflix.
1. Read a book
Fiction, non-fiction, horror, fantasy, dystopian political commentaries or a soppy romance – it really doesn’t matter. Just find a book you enjoy and get immersed in it.
2. Do yoga
Practising yoga is an excellent way to work out all those aches and pains while quietening a mind that’s full to bursting with to-do lists, anxieties and general rubbish. It can seem a little daunting when you’re just starting out, but following along with Youtube videos is an excellent way to get into the swing of things. I recommend Yoga with Adriene.
3. Go for a walk
There’s a whole wide world outside the confines of your TV screen just waiting to be explored! You’ll benefit from the fresh air and exercise.
4. Look up a new recipe
If you’re like me you probably circulate the same five easy meals over and over again. Spend a little bit of time looking up a new recipe and then give it a go. Sure, it might be a disaster (we can’t all be Jamie Oliver), but you’ll never improve unless you practise.
5. Try your hand at a craft
There are enough arts and crafts out there that there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy. Have a go at a couple of crafts you’ve never tried before and see how you like them. Knitting, crocheting, painting, scrapbooking, card-making, pottery, sewing…the list is endless.
6. Run some errands
Let’s face it – there’s always something that needs doing around the house. Maybe it’s a letter that needs posting, a phone call to the bank that needs to be made, laundry to be done or makeup brushes to be cleaned. Use this spare time to get those things over and done with.
7. Write in a journal
Getting your thoughts out of your head and down on paper can help you manage stress and see things more clearly. Not only is writing about your life and experiences very therapeutic, but it means you’ll be able to look back at what you’ve written in years to come and relive moments you might have otherwise forgotten about.
8. Talk to someone
Go meet up with an old friend and have a catch up. Or, if they live too far away (or you can’t be bothered to change out of your pjs) give them a call. No, texting does not count. Get in some real, old-fashioned human interaction.
9. Declutter
Go through your wardrobe or makeup collection and bag up anything that doesn’t spark joy. The benefits of living without clutter are amazing and it’s a very satisfying way to pass the time.
10. Make a budget
Cue the groans! Ok, budgeting and looking over your finances is hardly a exciting way to spend your time, but knowing where you’re at financially and creating a plan to help you save for something special is an essential part of adulting. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re sipping margaritas by the pool in Mexico.
Sure, it’s nice to indulge in a Netflix-binge every now and then. We’re only human after all! But I hope this list of productive things to do instead of binging on Netflix will help you be a little more productive, creative and, most of all, happy.