51 Far Better Things to Do than Scrolling Through Your Smartphone

#51 will legit surprise, if not shock, you

Are you tired of wasting hours mindlessly scrolling on your phone?

I get it. We’ve all been there.

But did you know the average person spends over 1400 hours a year on their phone?

That’s insane! That’s why I’ve put together a list of 50 better things you can do instead.

You’ll learn new skills, explore your city, connect with your community, and have productive fun.

It’s time to take back your time and live your best life. Get ready to ditch the phone:

1. Learn to skip rocks: Perfect the art of skipping stones on the lake or river.
2. Read a few pages: Lose yourself in a good book, and learn something new while you’re at it.
3. Make a vision board: Collage images and words that represent your goals and dreams, and start working towards them!
4. Try a new recipe: Grab a cookbook, experiment with new ingredients, and create a delicious meal from scratch!
5. Take a dance class: Whether it’s salsa or hip hop, dancing is a great way to get physical while having fun!
6. Learn a new language: Duolingo or Babbel can make it easy and fun, and you’ll expand your cultural knowledge.
7. Write a letter: Practice your handwriting and send a heartfelt note to a loved one!
8. Volunteer: Helping out at a local non-profit organization will make a positive difference in your community.
9. Learn an instrument: Pick up a guitar or piano, and enjoy the creativity and relaxation of music-making.
10. Do a puzzle: Crossword, jigsaw, Sudoku — whatever your choice, puzzles challenge your problem-solving skills.
11. Do a crossword or word search: This activity is not only challenging, but it also keeps the mind sharp.
12. Color in a coloring book: Relax and unwind with adult coloring books, which have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
13. Attend a live show or concert: Catching a performance from your favorite band or comedian is always a memorable experience.
14. Go for a hike: Get outside and appreciate nature while getting some exercise.
15. Take a yoga class: Stretch and de-stress with a yoga session at a local studio.
16. Play a board game: Gather some friends or family and play a classic board game like Monopoly or Scrabble.
17. Build a birdhouse or feeder: Help create a cozy home for your feathered friends while also adding some activity to your day.
18. Complete a DIY project: Re-imagine an old piece of furniture, or create some artwork for your home.
19. Attend a community event: Local festivals, farmer’s markets, or street fairs are always great opportunities to discover something new.
20. Plan a picnic: Pack a basket with some delicious snacks and enjoy a scenic meal outdoors.
21. Take a pottery class: Learn how to use a pottery wheel to create beautiful and functional bowls, plates, and more.
22. Go bowling: An easy, classic activity that’s always good for a group outing.
23. Join a sports league: Get active and meet new people by joining a sports league in your area.
24. Write a story: Tap into your imaginative side and write a short story or poem!
25. Take a photography class: Learn the basics of lighting and composition, and capture beautiful images to cherish.
26. Go on a road trip: Hop in the car and hit the open road, exploring fresh sights and experiences.
27. Have a board game night: Set up a game night with friends and discover a new game or two.
28. Take a painting class: Unleash your creative side and learn to create beautiful artwork on canvas.
29. Go fishing: Relax by the water and enjoy the challenge of catching a fish.
30. Visit a historical site or museum: Discover the rich history of your community or travel to a new city and learn something new.
31. Try a new workout class: Switch up your routine and try a new workout class like barre, kickboxing, or Pilates.
32. Make homemade soap or candles: Create high-quality, unique items with natural ingredients and save money.
33. Go kayaking or canoeing: Enjoy a day on the water while exercising and soaking up the sun.
34. Attend a book club: Meet new people and discover new authors by joining or starting a book club.
35. Play a musical instrument: Whether it’s the guitar, piano, or ukulele, playing an instrument can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby.
36. Learn to knit or crochet: Create cozy hats, scarves, or blankets while enjoying the relaxing nature of knitting.
37. Go horseback riding: Get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature while bonding with a majestic animal.
38. Attend a stand-up comedy show: Get some laughs and support local comedians by attending a comedy show.
39. Learn calligraphy: Improve your penmanship and impress friends with beautiful hand-lettered writing.
40. Participate in a pottery studio: Get creative and express yourself with hands-on pottery projects.
41. Go wine tasting: Try new wines and discover your favorites at a local vineyard or winery.
42. Play Wordle: A fun daily game that enriches your problem-solving skills and vocabulary.
43. Go ice skating: Get active and enjoy time on the ice with friends and family.
44. Explore new neighborhoods in your city or a nearby town: Discover new shops, parks, and restaurants while getting some exercise.
45. Have a crafting night: Gather friends and create various DIY projects. This could be done monthly!
46. Go camping: Unplug and connect with nature by setting up a tent in the great outdoors.
47. Visit an art museum: Learn about different styles and movements in art and find inspiration.
48. Create a home herb garden: Grow fresh herbs in your kitchen or outdoors and add some delicious flavor to your meals!
49. Create a homemade beauty product: Mix natural ingredients to make your custom lotion, body scrub, lip balm, or facial mask.
50. Try a new outdoor activity: Such as archery, geocaching, or rock climbing, for a high-energy, refreshing experience!

The Shocking 51st Thing You Can (and Should) Do…

It’s “Experiment with ChatGPT”

ChatGPT generated this article’s introduction and the 50 ideas word-for-word — after a frustrating hour of prompt-tweaking, response-regeneration, and battling “Oops! Something went wrong” errors.

I’ve only formatted, reordered, hyperlinked valuable stuff, and made teeny edits.

The Exact (Final) Prompts I Used

Head over to ChatGPT and try these prompts out right away:

• Basic setup prompt: “Act as a professional science-based productivity and digital minimalism expert. Henceforth, whenever I ask a question, answer with world-class, unusual, clever advice.”
• Generating the meat of the article: “Write an article on “50 far better things to do than scrolling through your smartphone”. Give unusual, unique recommendations. No introduction or conclusion. Format it as a bulleted list with the 50 things written in 2 short sentences each — one for the actual thing and the other to give specific recommendations, examples, or actionable extra info.”
• Generating the introduction: “Amazing. Now write a persuasive, concise 100-word introduction for this article implementing the PAS copywriting formula. Include stats, numbers, and figures to make the introduction more compelling.”
• Refining the introduction: “Rewrite it in a casual, authentic, more direct way. Remove the fluff.”

Don’t Sleep on ChatGPT and AI

ChatGPT marks only the start of a world-sweeping AI revolution.

AI’s progressing by exponential leaps and bounds as we speak — coding entire games, writing killer jokes, baffling math experts, and text-to-freaking-realistic video.

Replacing your phone scrolling with AI exploration will give you the highest possible ROI:

• Follow blogs such as Guardian AI, ScienceDaily, OpenAI, and DeepMind.
• Watch YouTubers like The AIGrid and The AI Advantage.
• Read articles by AI writers like The PyCoach, Lars Nielsen, and Jim Clyde.
• Keep track of and explore the latest AI tools with FutureTools.

Ignore ChatGPT’s 50 productivity tips if you wish — but don’t ignore ChatGPT itself.

AI might not replace you — but a human wielding AI definitely will.

Let that human be you.

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