Top 10 Things To Do When You’re Not Streaming

Posted On January 27, 2019

If you’re keeping up, you know that I’m turning off the TV for the next 28 days. If not, and you’re wondering why in the world would I shut myself off from Netflix when it’s dangerously cold outside, then go read my last blog post. Before I get into the Top 10 list, I want to give you an update of my resolution.

I did the dishes three times on Friday, cooked goulash, baked cookies, read several chapters of my book, worked for 8 hours, and I still ran out of things to do by the end of the day. Saturday, went better – I had a chore-list a mile long – but as those chores begin to diminish, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself. I don’t think the struggle will be to not watch TV as much as it will be to not go crazy. The city of Minneapolis came out with its own official list on how to keep yourself safe in the subzero temperatures. Number one thing on that list? Stay indoors as much as you can. Well, I’m trying, but if I start clawing at the walls, you’ll know why.

So, when I can’t stream, and I can’t go outside, and I run out of chores, then what? Well, luckily, with my suddenly super-free schedule, I came up with ten ways to keep yourself occupied without succumbing to addictions to screens (or going crazy).

1. Read

How many of us haven’t read a book since we were required to in high school or college? Yeah, I used to read so much, but with TV and scrolling to distract me, I haven’t had the time. There’s so many awesome books out there. You probably have some on your shelf right now. I know that I do. So, I want to encourage you to pick up a new book, an old favorite, or something that’s been sitting on your shelf for years and read it. Books were the OG way to communicate stories and information. So turn of the TED-Talks and Travelers and pick up a good book. You can learn so much from them, and the resource is around for you to recommend to others.

If this is something that you’re interested in and something you want to do, check out the app Goodreads. It’s basically a virtual bookshelf where you can track the books you’ve read, want-to-read, and are in the process of reading. You can also see friends’ statuses with their own books. It’s a cool way to feel accomplished while reading a book and to keep track of what you’ve read. You might even get some cool ideas for which book to read next. I’m not even sponsored by these guys, I just like their app. So, check it out!

2. Get Healthy

Instead of watching The Rock’s Titan Games or American Ninja Warrior, maybe get a gym membership, or even just do some pushups at home. I did some pushups recently, and suddenly they’re a lot harder than when I was in high school. So, I’m working on getting in better shape, but being healthy isn’t just about your body. What I do remember from health class is that wellnessencompasses your physical, mental, social, spiritual, and even financial health. So, if crunches aren’t your thing, maybe spend some time praying or meditating or even reading a self-help book. I encourage everyone to try mindfulness, a simple practice of simply being present in the moment. Put the phone down when you’re eating and turn the music off when you’re doing laundry. Just enjoy the moment. It’s so refreshing to get back into a health-routine, whether that’s spending some time focusing on your breath, strengthening your core muscles, or just going for a walk.

3. Go for a walk

Speaking of walks, forget Planet Earth documentaries, or NatGeo’s Snapchat story. You live in one of the coolest places on the planet. Literally no other place is like yours. So, go find somewhere new to explore. Enjoy the sounds and smells of nature. Find a National Park near you and make a day of it, or just walk through your own town or city. Sure, you could take headphones with you, but for pro-mode, leave them at home. It’s such a cool feeling to know that you are part of something bigger than yourself, and looking around and appreciating the beauty of the mundane – watching people grocery shopping, or going to the bank, or driving to work, or chatting on the phone – is a great way to remember that you’re not alone.

4. Explore somewhere new

When I was little, I used to pretend I could be a pirate and discover new lands in search of treasure. Those were the kinds of adventures I wanted to be a part of. As I grew older, I learned that even though I may not go sailing on a pirate boat and encounter mermaids and sea-creatures, I can definitely explore new lands. It’s as simple as trying out that coffee shop you’ve had your eye on, or walking into a new store. Maybe you and some friends could try a new restaurant, or try your hand at bowling. There’s a whole world to explore; in the words of Ellie from Up!, “Adventure is out there!”

5. Practice a skill

So, walking and exploring are great, when it’s not -11 degrees outside. So, if you’re like me, and you’re stuck indoors, this is a great way to pass time. I played percussion in high school and college, and since moving out on my own, my sticks and drum pad have just been sitting on my floor. Now, instead of streaming Drumline and reminiscing about the good ol’ days, I can pick up those sticks and bust a groove (see what I did there?). But, if music isn’t your thing – or if you don’t want to drive your neighbors insane (sorry y’all), maybe try your hand at something else. You could try cooking, or origami, or poetry, or learning a new language. Maybe you were really into puzzles as a kid, get into them again. Adulthood isn’t the time to forget how to play and learn, it’s a time to choose what you learn. If you’re serious about learning, I would encourage you to check out your local community events. A lot of them offer classes for adult beginners. Go to a cooking class, or a knitting class, or a French class. It could be a lot of fun, and you’ll get a whole new skill out of it.

6. Call your mom

Or text or email or write a letter. And it doesn’t have to be your mom. It could be a sibling, or cousin, or other relative. It could be a friend or coworker. You could write a thank you note to one of your favorite professors from college or to a favorite coach. The possibilities are endless. The bottom line: communicate with someone. A lot of people have said that as a generation, we’re losing our ability to connect with other people. The main culprits: social media, streaming services, cell phones, and technology. So, let’s prove them wrong by sitting down for a cuppa joe with an old friend, and talking about life. It’s an old artform, but it’s an important one, and it’s so incredibly fulfilling.

7. Make some friends

Maybe number 6 is hard because you have no friends. Or maybe it’s just because of where you live. I know that I moved away from most of my family and friends when I graduated college. While it’s great to catch up with them on the phone or texting back and forth, I miss face-to-face connections. If you’re like me, then this step is for you. I actually did a lot of research on this topic, and I might write a full blog on it in the future, but for now, I’ll just give you the quick-list. 1. Get involved in things you love doing. It’s a great way to ensure like-minded people are around you. You love baseball? Join a league. Love praising God? Join a church. Miss the days in musicals? Check out a community theatre. This helps prime you for 2. Talk to people in your group. It may seem pretty crazy, but seriously, just strike up a conversation. Invite someone to lunch or coffee before or after an event. It’s kind of like awkward dating. Just hold on and hope for the best. 3. If those kind of ideas terrify you, or you’re looking for a better way to make friends, check out MeetUp and other apps. The idea is to get like-minded individuals together who are looking to make new friends. Now there’s no pressure about whether or not they want a friend, but you can just go to an event and have some fun. (Again, not sponsored, just a fan.)

8. Do something with friends

Great! So, now we have friends. What do we do with them? Hang out! Host a game night, or go to a movie, or get dinner at a new restaurant. As much fun as all of these things are on your own, doing them with someone else is even more fun! So, call up friend or a dozen, and do something else on this list. Creating real memories with friends is one of the most incredible experiences we as humans get. I promise that you won’t remember every single episode of How I Met Your Mother, but you will remember that time you and your friends sang Pentatonix songs at the top of your lungs while driving on old dusty roads at 11:00 o’clock at night. Go experience life, and I can almost guarantee that you won’t need to stream Friends or New Girl again. Okay, that might have been an over-exaggeration, we’ll never leave you, Jess, just maybe for a little while.

9. Go see a play

All of this is fine and dandy, but at a certain point, we need some drama, and how in the world am I supposed to get drama if I can’t keep up with the Kardashians, read controversial video comments, or yell at my roommate about fake news!? Well, the whole artform of tv, movies, and storytelling originated on the stage, and maybe it’s time to go experience some drama. A lot of towns have small-local theatres that charge little for admission, and it’s a great way to expand your cultural horizons. Or, maybe you could go check out a show at the local college or high school. If plays and musicals aren’t your thing, find a comedian or follow in the footsteps of Netflix’s XOXO, and visit a live concert. It doesn’t have to be Queen or Fall Out Boys, it could be a live show at your local bar. There are people performing everywhere, and their entire livelihood is built around trying to entertain you, so you can rest assured that they’re pretty good at it.

10. Volunteer

If you’ve got all of this other stuff in the bag, maybe it’s time to give back. Maybe instead of taking a class, you’re the one teaching it. Or you could volunteer at a National Park. Love to read? Maybe spend some time helping the next generation learn to love it, too. You could even put one of your new skills to the test – cook for a college student, play in a community band, translate at a speech event. There are so many opportunities to give back, and if you’re like me and have a TON of student debt, our time is just as valuable of a resource. I’ve done a lot of encouraging in this post, but I really want to encourage you to reach out to your local community and get involved. It’s good for you, it’s good for them, and it’s a great way to spend your time when you’re not streaming.

There you have it! My list of 10 things to do when you’re not streaming. I hope this gives you some ideas on how to spend your time, and maybe pursuing these activities will make screens all that less interesting. Let me know what you think! Which ones work for you? Did you try one out? Tell me about it. Are there other things you do that don’t involve streaming? I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment or shoot me an email!

Good luck in the real world,
Christopher