It’s a lot easier to find ourselves in a state of boredom than it should be. After all, you’re very likely reading this on a brilliant device — a smartphone — that should simply make it impossible to feel bored.
And yet, it’s a situation that many of us find ourselves in all too often. And that’s in large part due to what we use our smartphones for. In many cases, people spend a vast chunk of their time on their devices scrolling through Instagram and other social media. And while that can be fun for a little while, eventually boredom will set in.
When that happens, it’s time to turn to all the other brilliant things you can do online. And make no mistake, there really are plenty of fascinating activities you can do on the internet. We’ve put together a bunch of internet-based activities that might just provide the boredom-cure you’ve been searching for the next time you’re unsure what to do.
Learn a Skill
Looking to make productive use of your time? Then look at learning a skill. The internet is awash with tutorials that can teach you how to do, well, anything you like. You could learn home DIY skills, how to fix your bike, or other practical skills simply by watching YouTube tutorials and following along, for instance.
If you’re looking to take a deeper dive beyond what free YouTube videos typically provide, then take a look at signing up for a paid service like MasterClass. There you’ll find classes from some of the world’s most talented individuals; you could let James Cameron teach you filmmaking, learn about writing from Salman Rushdie, or learn about wellness from Jon Kabat-Zinn. Whatever you choose, you’ll come away from the course knowing much more than when you started.
Play a Game
Bored? Then consider turning to an activity that humans have been doing for thousands of years when they’re looking for something fun to do: playing games! The internet has revolutionized gaming, making it easier than ever to play classic games such as blackjack, chess, checkers, and solitaire, among others. What’s convenient about modern internet games is that you can play them on all devices, meaning you can enjoy the games on your mobile, tablet, or desktop computer. Plus, unlike console games, internet games tend to be fast and easy to play, making them appropriate even when you only have 10 – 20 minutes to play.
Listen to a Podcast
Sometimes, we want all the entertainment of the internet, but we don’t want to spend time looking at a screen. And that makes sense — with many of us spending more time than ever staring at our devices, it’s natural that people want to take a break.
In that case, consider turning to a podcast. They can be highly entertaining and informative, and best of all, they require no active participation. All you need to do is connect your headphones, lie back on the couch, and let the podcast hosts take you on a journey. Need some inspiration as to what to listen to? This page outlines some of the best podcast episodes ever made.
Research Your Next Trip
Sure, you might be bored now, but there’ll be a time in the future when you’re not bored. And that moment will be when you’re off adventuring on a trip that takes you to weird and wonderful places.
If you’re feeling the pangs of boredom, then why not use the opportunity to research your next trip? The internet is great for finding inspiration for places to go. Maybe you’ll look up Europe’s most undiscovered gems, or find which South American countries are worth visiting in 2025. Once you’ve got your destination, you can get down to the busy work of making your plans, including researching the best and cheapest flights, finding affordable hotels, and planning what you’ll do when you arrive.
Invest in Your Wellness
We often think that the internet has a negative impact on our well-being, but really, that’s only the case if you spend all of your time scrolling through Instagram or reading the news. Utilized correctly, the internet can very much have a positive impact on your well-being — in fact, it can have a transformational impact.
The next time you’re bored, forget turning to social media. Instead, get out your yoga mat and follow along with a free YouTube yoga class. Once you’ve finished, let a teacher guide you through 15 minutes of breathwork. And when that’s done, round it off with a 10 minute guided meditation. By the time you’ve completed all the activities, not only will you not be bored, but you’ll likely find that your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is much improved.
Waste Time On Reddit
With that said, while you can use your bored time to do something productive like yoga, you don’t necessarily have to. If you just want to be entertained, then the internet will very much provide, and nowhere will it do so more than on Reddit. This is a site that offers the best of the best when it comes to entertainment, and especially if you visit a few subreddits in particular.
If you’re looking to waste some time, then look at pointing your browser towards the following subreddits:
- r/GamePhysics
- r/OddlySatisfying
- r/DeepIntoYouTube
- r/Relationships
- r/BeAmazed
- r/AskReddit
Visit those pages, view the top posts of all time, and start viewing. We’ll see you in a few hours.
Watch Live Feeds
It might be boring where you are, but there are parts of the planet that are very much interesting. Or at least, they’re interesting enough that someone decided to point a camera at them. Watching live feeds is a good way to see what people are getting up to in other cities around the world, enjoying a relaxing view in real-time, or watching the funny and adorable antics of animals. If you’re interested in people and places, then head to EarthCam; if watching live animals is more your thing, then Explore.org is the place to be.
Discover New Sounds
The internet offers a great opportunity to discover new music, and we don’t just mean via Spotify! If you’re looking for a fun and interesting way to expand your musical palette, then take a look at Radio.Garden. That site allows you to listen to local radio stations all over the world; simply drag the map, find a location that interests you, and see what they’re listening to.
Explore the Universe
When we’re bored, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that life is a little, well, boring! But that, of course, isn’t the case — it’s a miracle that we’re all here at all. One way to give yourself that dose of wonderment is to explore the universe. It’s hard to feel bored when you’ve spent some time exploring the stars and galaxies that are all around us.
Get Social
Finally, if you’re feeling bored, then why connect with other people? This was the original idea behind the internet, after all! You can speak with your friends and family if you like, but the web also offers plenty of opportunities to connect with others, too. For example, you could take part in an online community that’s based on one of your interests, or play a multiplayer game against a stranger. Looking to meet new online friends while also having fun? Consider joining an online trivia night.
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