(or, things i’ve been doing recently instead of doomscrolling)
Going on a picnic
Going on a picnic is a wonderful way to get some floor time, a phrase my friend uses to describe lying on an outdoor surface as a way to decompress.
My friend loves having her floor time no matter the season. Last winter, for instance, she drove up to a frozen lake in the mountains and nestled herself inside a sub-zero-rated sleeping bag under the bright January sun. Apparently, it was the coziest floor time she’s ever had.
I personally prefer getting my floor time on grassy lawns instead of icy lakes. Either way, soaking up the vastness of the sky with God’s green earth (or frozen lake) supporting your back is one of the best ways to feel bliss and peace at once.
Antiquing
L likes collecting things. This summer, he began exploring the obscure world of antique stores.
Antique stores are a gold mine for old maps, license plates, vintage road signs, and other trinkets that your grandparents (or parents, lol) probably owned at one point.
L and I have visited many antique stores in and outside the city. We rarely buy anything, but wandering around these stores and stumbling into all that old-school coolness have been quite a trip.
Dining out
Ah, a classic. I use my phone sparingly whenever I eat because it’s rude to do so. I sometimes take pictures of the food though, haha.
Cooking
Another classic, lol.
I cook nearly every day. Quick and easy staples, mostly, so nothing worth immortalizing in photos.
The one “complex” dish I made recently was borscht. I used the beets and carrots that L’s parents harvested from their greenhouse. The soup took a long time to make – at least longer than what I’m used to – so I had to take a photo after.
Cruising (Driving)
Sometimes L takes me on a cruise, which is car-guy-speak for driving aimlessly on a random route. Sometimes we cruise with friends; sometimes it’s just us.
I’m obviously just the passenger during these cruises, but instead of being on my phone, I use this time to observe parts of the city I don’t normally see. It’s a chill, albeit very carbon-emissions-intensive, activity.
Walking
Walking outdoors is, to me, one of the easiest ways to shave off a portion of your screentime.
Fixing stuff around the house
Yep, of course. Home projects can definitely get you moving and away from your phone.
Gardening
I sort of already wrote about this, but yes, I do have a flower garden that I try to maintain every now and then. Deadheading the flowers in the garden can be time-sink for sure. It can be meditative too.
Repotting my plants
This is gardening-adjacent, except I do it indoors. I am a lazy plant lady though, so I tend to put more effort in propagating my healthy plants than healing the sick ones.
Making pretty things
Every now and then I get invited to do fun activities like ceramic painting and flower arranging. I’m trying to get all my girlfriends to do these types of shit together, but as is common among adult friendships, getting everybody together requires superior project management skillz. I’ll make it happen this winter though, fingers crossed.
Going to thermal spas
Thermal spas are generally no-phone spaces – and I say “generally” because I’ve been to one that did not require phones to be left in the lockers. Thankfully people were still respectful and not, uh, super eager to take photos.
I go to thermal spas with L or with friends. When I go with L, we do the spa and massage package so that everything is covered by our insurance. When I go with friends, we usually enjoy the spa after a workout (and sometimes we get in for free because one of us is powerful like that, lol).
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