46 Productive Things to Do Instead of Scrolling Social Media

Few people come to the new year with a goal of spending more time on social media. Instead, they want to use it less, to stop wasting so much time scrolling, or to use it more purposefully.

The good news? Those goals are SO VERY POSSIBLE, even though they can feel out of reach if you're locked in the vicious cycle of reaching for your phone every few minutes. To cut down on your time aimlessly scrolling, though, you'll need a better plan than just *hoping* things will get better. The most effective antidote we've seen? Having an enjoyable, easy activity you can turn to whenever the urge strikes to scroll - and we've got plenty of those for you! A few more tips:

Choose when you'll connect. We're big fans of social media when it's used intentionally! It can be a beautiful place of connection, encouragement, learning, and inspiration. But, for many of us, these apps are just too addictive to leave up to our willpower. Without a plan, our fingers will wander over to click open the app more often than we'd like. Setting boundaries around when you'll sign on in advance will allow you to enjoy the time you're on the app more, knowing it's exactly what you're supposed to be doing - no guilt needed! 

A tip: A harder boundary is often easier than doing something “less.” By committing to, for example, a hard boundary of signing on just once a day, you can reduce the number of times you ask your brain to decide whether or not you're going to open the app. Decision fatigue is real, and most of us would rather keep our willpower for other things!

Identify the times you're most tempted to scroll. Is it first thing in the morning? Waiting for your kids in the carpool line? At night in front of the TV? In bed before you turn in for the night? Plan ahead for these moments and make proactive decisions: charge your phone in the kitchen instead of on your bedside table. Leave a book you love in the car. Set your latest embroidery project or coloring book next to your favorite chair. If the alternative is just as easy as picking up your phone, more often than not, you'll choose it!

Recognize what you're trading your time for. This can be a rude wake-up call, but it's sometimes necessary. If you feel constantly strapped for time or if you're not making as much progress as you'd like on your goals, force yourself to look at how much time per day you're spending on social media apps (the US average is 2 hours and 3 minutes - you can find yours within the settings of your phone). This might be just the nudge you need to spend that time more productively. 

And on that note... here are 46 productive things you can do instead of scrolling on your phone today. We hope they inspire you to start prioritizing what matters most to you!

1. Flip through conversation cards with a friend or loved one
2. Unsubscribe from email promotional emails
3. Plan a coffee date with a friend
4. Delete photos from your camera roll
5. Floss your teeth
6. Go to bed early
7. Take a walk
8. Write a thank you note
9. Read a magazine
10. Check off a daily goal on your Tending List
11. Organize your bedside table
12. Make a to-do list, and check one thing off your to-do list
13. Write out a social media mission statement
14. Wash the dishes
15. Sort through a pile of clutter
16. Make your bed
17. Choose ten pieces of clothing to donate
18. Read a book
19. Learn a new language
20. Call your best friend
21. Kiss your significant other
22. Take out the trash
23. Get your finances in order
24. Make a sweet treat for your neighbor
25. Go to the library, and check out a new book
26. Write the Word
27. Clean out your pantry
28. Do a puzzle with your child
29. Write down your goals
30. Unload the dishwasher
31. Choose one new recipe to try
32. Print a few of your favorite photos to display
33. Plan a gathering in your home
34. Exercise
35. Doodle
36. Start a gratitude journal
37. Reply to five emails in your inbox
38. Organize your bathroom cabinet
39. Apply for a passport
40. Prep your meals for the week
41. Reply to your text messages
42. Start one load of laundry
43. Clean out your junk drawer
44. Watch a TED talk
45. Organize your desk
46. Make an inspiring playlist

We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment, and tell us what else would you add to this list! The possibilities are endless, and we can’t wait to hear your creativity!

P.S. Looking for a proven system to more of what you want to do instead of aimlessly scrolling? PowerSheets are for you!