21 Activities Without a Screen (Pandemic-Friendly Edition)

2020 was a hellish cycle of waking up to a small screen, working at a medium-sized screen, relaxing in front of a big screen, then lying back in bed with a small screen. Remember when they said you would get square eyes if you watched TV too long? Mine are cubes. With glasses on.

My 2021 resolution is to eliminate or replace the activities I already do, or want to do, with something that doesn't require a screen. This means finding ways to learn other than Youtube (gulp), putting pen to paper (whatever that is, some sort of tree right?), or trying new hobbies which aren't just looking at videos of baby goats in pyjamas.

I may not do this all the time for sustainability reasons, cost or time (there's a reason we prefer to use screens) but I aim to make a real effort. I'm also keeping in mind, that we are very much still in a pandemic in the UK, and could be for most of the year, which will mean no activities that require socialising in person (sad times). In 2021, I'm going old school.

Here are 21, pandemic-friendly, activities to try this year, which reduce, replace or don't require the need for a screen:

1. Buy a magazine (in print!)

Whether you enjoy science, technology, fashion, gaming, crafting, wedding planning or home decor, magazines are very much still alive.

Remember scrapbooks? The 90s and early 2000s were elite because of these (no burn books please). Try making a vision board or mood board on paper, instead of Pinterest, once you're done with reading your magazines such as keep your favourite stories, or images for the future. Like in 13 going on 30, except you don't get any younger.

2. Buy/borrow a paperback book instead of the e-book version

I personally find e-books much easier to borrow from my local library to read on my iPad. Without being able to borrow books from the library in person (which is also an idea if you're able to in your area), spending a few more pounds on a paperback will make the whole reading experience screen-free.

Once you're done with the paperback, you can always sell it, or ask your friends or community if there are book swaps. Maybe you'll finally get through that gigantic reading list!

3. Listen to audiobooks and/or podcasts

This was something I got heavily invested in last year, and made cooking and exercising a lot more bearable. Audiobooks are a fantastic (and much quicker) way to get through that long list of books you want to read. Most libraries in the UK have an audiobook library, which requires an app download which you can borrow them from. Listen to the audiobook, or podcast whilst doing your mundane chores, it can make them a lot less tedious!

4. Print out recipes or buy recipe books

I'm a hopeless cook, but I really made more of an effort last year to try some new recipes. Except, there was of course, all read from online.

Try choosing a recipe beforehand and printing it out. Or if you're a millennial like me and lost your printer charging cable between moving apartments every year (thank you property prices(!)) then copy it out on a piece of paper with sparkly purple gel pen if you want to. Go nuts.

5. Cooking and baking more

This fits in nicely with number 4 and is one of the reasons people like to take the time out to bake and cook homemade food instead of take-outs (remember this is pandemic friendly, so go to a restaurant only and if it's safe to in your area).

If you're like me and loathe cooking, but begrudgingly do it anyway because you don't want to starve to death, try to take the time out every weekend to attempt one brand new recipe that is something that you would order from a take out anyway and give it your best shot. If it looks terrible, just don't Instagram it!

6. Learn to crochet/knit/sew/cross-stitch

I learnt to crochet and got back into knitting last year. I personally learnt the basics over Youtube, but once you get a hang the stitches, you don't require a screen and now it is one of my favourite things about the hobby.

Remember to print out, or write out, any patterns you are using to stop you having to look at your phone after every row. Put some chill music on and learn to embroider an old t-shirt, or knit your mum a new scarf. If there's someone's birthday coming up, try making a handmade project for them instead of surfing on Amazon. It'll be unique and they'll appreciate it much more!

7. Get outside

This is a super obvious one, but walking through the park hunched over on your phone reading the juicy group chat gossip doesn't count. When you're next out on a walk, turn your phone off and take in your surroundings. Activate all your senses. Or, stick your headphones in and listen to a walking meditation on Youtube. Resist pulling your phone out for photos.

Biking, running, roller blading or skateboarding are great alternatives where you are much less likely to look at your phone.

Also, it's an excuse to see dogs.

8. Limit screentime on weekends

This is not so much an activity, but a little hack on your phone if you're tempted to aimlessly scroll through social media like I am.

On the iPhone, the 'Screen Time' function in settings allows you to set App Limits or Downtime for all your apps for whenever you like. I set an app limit of 15 minutes a day for social media, where I could scroll to my heart's content and which it then locked off. Once I set these off for all social media during work hours, I felt much less tempted by a notification or scrolling out of boredom and significantly decreased my screentime.

9. Do a jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaws saw a massive surge during the pandemic, and rightly so. They are creative, engaging and fun to do alongside family or friends. My personal favourites are 3D jigsaws or mystery puzzles where you're not given the image you are working towards. I just really hope a piece isn't missing for you.

10. Gardening

Unfortunately, this isn't accessible to me since I live in an apartment, but if you have access to a garden then growing your own herbs or vegetables is a great pass time, especially during the summer. Otherwise, even just visiting a garden centre to buy plants is a great activity, and not to mention the air in your home will smell so crisp. Mmmm.

11. Learn a musical instrument/ create music

Time to dust off that old guitar and perfect some tunes!

Print off some sheet music or buy a beginners music book and try your hand at playing a new instrument. Although an expensive hobby, you can get a relatively cheap keyboard to start playing the piano or even looking for second-hand instruments. If you're into that kind of thing, making your own music could be something you've always wanted to try or stopped doing. Either way, playing an instrument works several parts of your brain and you also have a free party trick if the conversation starts to dull.

Anyway, here's Wonderwall...

12. Adult colouring books/ Paint by numbers

Adult colouring books gained popularity for an activity which calms the mind and brings our your inner child. Paint by numbers has the same effect, eliminating the need to stress about being a good artist and just enjoying art for art's sake. Contrary to what your primary school teacher may have said, the world does not end if you don't colour in between the lines.

13. Start a bullet journal

Although most people prefer to use iPad templates or a notes app on their phone, why not replace it with an actual paper journal. With some fancy pens, you can get creative and write down or draw out your plans (even if they are few and far between at the moment). Don't worry, it doesn't need to look Instagrammable.

14. Call a friend (but not with video)

Zoom fatigue is so real. Although video calls are great to replace catching up with a friend in person, it could mean hours in front of your phone or laptop. If you fancy a break from a screen, or don't fancy changing your shirt you've worn for the last few days, ask if you can just call through a voice call instead. Like the old days but minus the cord attached to the phone and not knowing who's calling until you pick up. How scary would that be?!

15. Make up a dance routine

One of my favourite memories as a kid was learning the dance moves to 'Don't Stop Moving' by S-Club 7 from an S-Club 7 magazine (yes, I was that cool). Although Youtube dance routines are tons of fun, it's made us a bit obsessed about doing the dance 'right'. Let your creative juices flow and play a favourite album and make up your own dance routine or just have a fun dance around! It also means you've got some moves when you hit the clubs.

You can put it on TikTok later.

16. Do some chores

*Grumbles*. No one told me how much of adult life is mundane housework. Take the time out off a screen and finally do a spring clean. Reorganise your wardrobe, throw out old stuff, wash your dishes and clothes and clean those make-up brushes! You'll feel better mentally and physically after moving around, as well as making sure you have a more breathable and clean living space. #selfcare

17. Learn to play chess

That girl in the Queen's Gambit did it and she was like 8? Seems pretty simple! Just kidding. Board games shouldn't just be for Christmas. Buy a new board game to play with whoever you live with one night, and leave all your phones far away. If you live with someone super competitive, or you're yet to find out, best of luck.

18. Plan a screen-free evening with whoever you live with

Adding on to the above, setting up at least one screen-free evening a week, or as a one-off, is a tradition that will greatly benefit the relationship between your partner, friends or family or you live with. You can cook a meal together, grab a take out and just talk, play Pictionary or have a cheese and wine night. The only rule is, no phones or tv or screens or any kind. Whoever breaks this, has to take the bins out for a week.

19. DIY

This may not be for everyone, but working on your living space whether it's fixing, painting or building furniture from scratch is a useful life skill to have and could be something you've always meant to get around to doing. DIY could also be learning to fix parts of your car, but maybe resist on installing one of those ridiculous sounding horns.

20.Buy a polaroid camera

Does anyone really like taking 100 photos before they find the perfect one for their Instagram? Taking a Polaroid camera out on a walk with you or for photographs of objects you want to take could be an alternative. Sometimes the unpredictability of a photo is what makes it as it is. The framed images can go nicely in a scrapbook or album, as well having a softer resolution which is a key reason they're still widely popular.

21. Put away your phone when watching TV

This final activity is more a reduction of screens, rather than eliminating them altogether but baby steps! Whilst it is nice to have something on in the background, I have found I have got much more out of a movie or TV show when I don't touch my phone. Looking at a screen close up, then one far away is a constant strain on your eyes which will make them feel fatigued much quicker.

There you have it! 21 pandemic-friendly screen-free activities/tips to try this year. This list is by no means exhaustive, but I encourage you to join me in actively trying to reduce your screen time and improve your physical and mental health in so doing this.

Now, I better get off this medium-sized screen before my laptop kindly lets me know that I spent 80 hours looking at it this week.