22 Things To Do When You Are Bored

I’m a college student with responsibilities, an agenda, and a stable social life just like any other person out there. I realize that sometimes I leave myself without any time to really see the things around me due to either school, my laziness, or work. Sometimes it just cannot be helped because I need to make ends meet or I’m too tired to function. But then it dawns on me that most of the time when I “bum around” at home or school I do it not because I’m tired, but rather because I’m bored. My usual alternative to boredom is surfing the web about irrelevant things and checking every social networking site I have an account with to see whether I have a new message or friend request. Sometimes I even lose track of time talking to Cleverbot. In the end, though, this does not satisfy me and I end up just wasting time and feeling unprogressive all day. Therefore, it is through this blog that I hope to encourage myself as well as others around me who feel the same way to find alternatives to our boredom. Of course, being an art student my mind automatically thinks in art terms. I find art to be a window to the world around us because it is a way of communicating ideas, beliefs, concerns, and the little things that you wouldn’t see if it wasn’t singled out. It provides health benefits and self growth and yet it is neglected by the general public. So I’ve concocted a list of creative things that I’m prepared to delve into during my summertime in order to change that. It’s a list I’m sharing with the public who perhaps feels the same and doesn’t know where the heck to start; who are now sitting waiting for time to pass by; who have run out of ideas; and who are staring at their computer screen reading this very article!

 22 Things To Do When You Are Bored

1. Go exploring with a camera. I know almost all the cell phones out there have one and, unfortunately, it seems people think that their only purpose is to update their Facebook picture. Go somewhere you wouldn’t ordinarily go. Even start a project.
   

   I went a different way to work one day and discovered this on the side of the road. A month later I got my camera and had a photo shoot before work.

2. Nail art! I’m sure you girls have seen them online, now quit gawking and give it a whirl.
3. DIY furniture. Have a boring white dresser from Wal-Mart that you had to assemble yourself? Why not spiff it up in a cheap yet awesome way by using gift wrapping paper? Or instead you could line the drawers with it. Explore some awesome ideas on personalizing your room! Like this cool cushion to decorate your couch or bed.
4. Experiment with food. I mean in the weird way… like French toast kabobs weird; and have a picnic in the living room.
5. Learn a dance. If you’re a beginner, try some K-Pop dances. If I can do it, you can too. See if you can get your friends to partake.
6. Make a kite and fly it.
7. Learn to sow your own little black dress.
8. Host a movie marathon in a timeline order, from Charlie Chaplin to Hugo. Don’t forget the popcorn!
9. Learn origami or how to make finger puppets; later create a script for a short video using the hand-made characters and post it on YouTube.
10. If you’ve got classes this summer DIY tools will help you stay focused.
    

    Take a break in-between your study sessions to make a bookmark.

11. Get a group of people together and make a mini-movie. Try to think realistically; otherwise you might give up early on an overambitious project. You could also ask to follow a friend around for a day with a video camera. I know it sounds creepy but aren’t you curious how other people live?
12. Tired of the same parties with the same drinking games? Check out places like Painting With a Twist.
13. Go to some local cafes and people watch. I almost guarantee you that there will be some really interesting people who stop by. Create stories about these people.
14. Screw chain retailers, visit and support local shops in Tampa. They need it more than the big shots. Central Tampa has plenty of independent retailers who do not use you as an incredibly obvious billboard.
15. Have no spark to your imagination? Most art galleries are free of charge and can be used as inspiration. Most of the time, they try to promote an opening by holding a reception with food and more importantly, drinks. Instead of buying prints to decorate your walls why not be that person who can say they own an original? They also sell handmade jewelry which I am guilty of indulging in whenever I see a crafter I enjoy. And if there is a festival, do not miss it! They’re the absolute best!
16. Make a comic or flip book autobiography using stick figures.
17.  Write a letter to yourself in the future, gather some things from your childhood, and put it all in a jar. Lock it and make sure to throw away the key. This way it cannot be read until later on in life when putting effort into things won’t be such a hassle.
18. Make “Thank You” cards and send those cards to random people you know who have done small favors for you that they have probably forgotten about. 
19. Make jewelry out of things lying around the house. Or build robots/ dinosaurs as decor for the home. This is a simple website with some fairly decent ideas.
20.  If you’re up early for once, make a bento to take with you to work or school. Or make one for someone you care about.
21. Make a strangers day by sticking a note in a library book or in a hidden crevasse somewhere. Whether you want to watch someone discover it is optional. You can also copy some of these quotes or make your own bicycle note to stick to a good lookin’ bike. ;D
22.  Turn old and unused objects such as books and magazines into practically useful objects such as these!

I most certainly encourage freethinking and I appreciate new ideas to add to my list so if you have anything to add, please post it via comments!