“I don’t know what to do in my free time” – do you feel this often?
This is a real trouble for many of us, and I hear so many people say this.
You wait for the weekend, or the evening after work, when you will finally be free, but when it arrives, you’re not sure how to spend it.
At first, it feels relaxing to have no work, but soon boredom or even guilt creeps in.
All we know is that the easiest option- to scroll on our phone or watch something endlessly.
But how much will you even scroll, and what all will you even watch?
That gets exhausting, too, and you feel like it’s better to have to go to work or have some work just to escape the emptiness.
But the truth is: life is so much more than work.
When you don’t know what to do with your free time, it’s often your soul asking for something more—something meaningful, something fun, something that enriches you just because.
Free time doesn’t always have to be “productive.”
You don’t have to care about being productive when you have no work, but all I want is for you to spend it in such a way that it satisfies the present moment in which you are.
So instead of letting free time slip away on endless scrolling, you can use it to recharge, create, learn, or simply enjoy life.
Here are 30 ideas to do when you have nothing to do in your free time
P.S some of these links are affiliate links. If you purchase from my link, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Read That Book You’ve Been Putting Off
Table of Contents
Pick up the novel or self-help book on your shelf.
Sitting down and opening the book is the hardest part.
Once you start reading, it’s not that hard.
Even 30 minutes of reading can feel like a reset.
Currently, I’m reading Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman for my morning read and for my evening short stories by Ruskin Bond, and ending it with Poems by Mary Oliver, which I am currently loving so much.
It helps me go to bed feeling fluttery and satisfied.
- P.S. Here are The Best books to read in the morning
- Best Books to read for beginners
- Books that changed my life
2. Journal Your Thoughts
Free time is the perfect chance to reflect.
Write about how you’re feeling, your goals, or simply write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
You can try my 21 Day Journaling Challenge, too, or my most loved, Gratitude challenge.
P.S. I have created a 21-Day Journaling Guide for Self-discovery, growth and healing.
If you haven’t taken any other challenge of mine, you can join this challenge.
You will receive journal prompts and guidance from me for the next 21 days to inspire you every day.
3. Go for a walk
Get yourself a walking or running shoes and get into the habit of going for a walk or a short run after work in the evenings.
Movement clears your head and boosts your mood instantly.
4. Do yoga or stretch
Simply focus on movement, not gaining weight or losing weight.
Movement is medicine.
Fall in love with moving your body, and you will always love working out.
- Here is a 20-minute full-body yoga (So refreshing and relaxing!)
- 15-minute Yoga stretch for stress relief (Your Body will love it)
- 30 Mins Full Body Pilates (another favourite)
Also, this is how I made myself love working out
5. Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook
Choose something inspiring or educational.
It’s a fun way to learn while you relax.
Best podcasts I listen to:
- The Way Out is In by The Plum Village
- Marie Forleo’s Podcast
- The Mindful Kind
- Mindful in Minutes Meditation
6. Watch a documentary or uplifting movie.
50 Best movies to watch on Netflix right now
7. Meditate or Practice Breathing Exercises
Even 5 minutes of mindful breathing can bring clarity and peace to your day.
Put on calming meditation music in the background, put on a 5-10 minute timer and meditate.
I am currently loving these Calming Instrumental Music Channels on Youtube:
- Malte Marten Handpan Music
- Coulou’s Cafe Trumpet Meditations
- Ophelia Wilde’s Quiet Playlists
- Dianna Lopez’s Beautiful Music and the soothing backdrop
8. Spend Time with Pets or Nature
Isn’t it the best way to spend your free time?
You do nothing but just enjoy the company of nature or your loving pets.
9. Enjoy a nice cup of tea with loved ones
Sometimes the best way to spend free time is the simplest.
Make yourself (and maybe your family or friends) a warm cup of tea.
Making tea for someone is a way to tell them I care for them without telling them.
Sit together, and enjoy the moment.
Conversations over tea have a way of slowing down time and creating memories and laughter that feel comforting.
10. Call a friend/family member just to chat
Which of your friends and family members’ names crossed your mind recently, but you haven’t taken the time to call?
Call them just because.
Listen to their life updates, and you give them yours too.
Make it a habit to call your friends and family when they cross your mind.
This is what truly connects us.
P.S. 40 Different Ways to make someone happy or smile
11. Go to meet a friend or family member
If you live close to a friend or family member, what better way to spend your free time?
Go and meet them.
Have tea with them.
Talk with them, and your time is spent wonderfully.
This is what I did at home, and here are my writings from my time home:
- Ichigo Ichie and Other Stories from the Week
- On Quiet Acts of Grace
- On Ordinary Things that Aren’t Ordinary at all
- On Kind Proofs that we have lived
12. Learn something new
Use your free time to learn something new.
If there is something that interests you and that you want to learn, use this time for that.
Giving even 30 minutes to learning something new goes a long way.
You can learn about:
- Mutual funds and investing
- Blogging
- Starting a new source of income
- The science of wealth creation
- Mindfulness
- Photography
There are so many things.
13. Start an online course
Free time is the perfect chance to learn something new.
Whether it’s a short class on photography, writing, colouring or personal finance, online courses let you grow your skills at your own pace.
When I had my free time, I spent it learning blogging and bought so many courses.
That’s how I got started and came to know how to make it work.
But taking an online course doesn’t even have to be career-related—pick something that excites you, and you’ll feel like your free time was truly well spent.
14. Find ideas to generate passive income
If you have a few quiet hours, use them to brainstorm or research ways to build passive income.
It could be as simple as starting a blog, exploring digital products, investing, or setting up a side hustle you’ve always been curious about.
15. Write down your goals and intentions
Free time is the perfect chance to pause and reflect.
Take out an empty notebook and write down your short-term goals, your life goals, or even just your intentions for the week ahead.
Putting your thoughts on paper gives them a chance to become true.
This is why all the successful people recommend writing down your goals with a pen and paper.
16. Create/update your vision board.
Use your free time to get inspired about the future.
These days, it’s really easy to make a vision board with Canva.
Simply find the pictures, quotes, and dreams that reflect your vision from Pinterest and upload them to Canva.
Then print them out and pin them to your vision board.
Here is a Bulletin Board you can use for your vision board that’s similar to mine
Updating your vision board can help you reconnect with what excites you and remind you of the bigger picture beyond your daily routine.
17. Clean your room.
A messy space often adds to mental clutter. Use your free time to tidy up your room—make your bed, put things back in place, wipe the surfaces.
Cleaning your room and then living in a tidy and spacious space can shift your energy and make you feel lighter and nicer.
18. Declutter a Small Space
Decluttering is essential to get rid of all the stagnant and old energy.
I have seen so many people whose houses are stacked with old items from time immemorial, old newspapers from the past 4-5 years and no place to even walk around the house properly.
Here are 10 reasons why you NEED to declutter
A little decluttering goes a long way. Declutter a drawer, shelf, or your closet.
19. Declutter your phone
Your phone can get just as cluttered as your home.
You can use your free time to delete unused apps, unnecessary photos and organise your photos into albums, clear old downloads, and tidy up your notes.
A cleaner phone makes it easier to focus and can even reduce mindless scrolling.
Plus, it feels surprisingly refreshing!
20. Redecorate or rearrange your bedroom for a fresh vibe.
I love doing this from time to time.
My mother also used to do this, and it would change the whole vibe of the room.
Redecorating and rearranging also helps us get rid of being stuck and stagnant and fills us with new energy.
I see so many people living in the same living arrangement of their bed and other furniture for years and years, and wonder how stagnant they must feel.
Even simple changes like moving your bed to a new spot or hanging up photos can make your room feel like a whole new space and lift your energy.
Use your free time to rearrange your furniture, remove old decor, or add small touches like plants, lights, or new bedding.
See how it changes your mood.
21. Write a short story, poem, or blog post.
Free time is the perfect chance to let your imagination flow.
You don’t have to make it perfect. You can just make it exist first. You can make it perfect later.
22. Paint something
Again, you don’t need to be an artist to pick up a brush and play with colours.
Painting is one of my favourite hobbies and a wonderful hobby to get offline and simply enjoy the process.
23. Learn a simple craft (Crochet, origami, embroidery).
Take the help of YouTube to learn a simple craft.
- P.S Japanese Origami for Beginners
- Beginner Embroidery Kit for Adults
- Best Selling Crochet Kit for Beginners
24. Learn a song on an instrument (or just sing along)
If you play an instrument, use your free time to learn a new song.
If not, simply sing along to your favourite tracks.
25. Try a New Recipe
Experiment in the kitchen.
Again, you can use the help of YouTube to learn new recipes and make tasty dishes you love yourself
26. Meal planning
Use your free time to plan out your meals in advance.
Now you can use the help of ChatGPT to plan your meals for the week ahead.
Not only does this save money and reduce food waste, but it also makes weekday cooking stress-free.
27. Review your budget or savings goals
Free time is the best time to check in with your finances.
Look at your monthly expenses, see where you can cut back, and track your progress toward your savings goals.
Even a quick review can help you feel more in control and aligned with the future you want to create.
- P.S How to do a weekly spending review
- How to create a weekly budget that works for you
- Monthly Budget in 6 Simple Steps
28. Plan your week or month ahead.
Use your downtime to look at the bigger picture.
Write down upcoming tasks, priorities and set your weekly and monthly goals.
29. Go on a solo date
Stop waiting for someone else’s schedule to fit yours.
You can take yourself out and enjoy too.
Go to a café, a bookstore, watch a movie, or simply stroll through a park.
Here are other awesome solo date ideas to go to.
30. Find your Ikigai
“Ikigai” is a Japanese concept that means your reason for being — the sweet spot where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all meet.
Spend some quiet time reflecting on these four areas.
31. Practice a Self-Care Ritual
There are so many ways to practice a self-care ritual.
Here are some:
- Light a candle and enjoy a slow skincare routine.
- Face masks
- Face yoga
- Give yourself a hand/foot massage with lotion or oils.
- bubble bath
- Just making tea slowly and nourishing yourself.
- Play Music & Dance Around
32. Do Absolutely Nothing
Sometimes, the best thing to do is rest. Sit, breathe, and let yourself just be.
Or take a nap. My favourite way to spend my free time- just leave my phone and sleep
Free time doesn’t always need to be filled.
Final Thoughts On What To Do When You Have Nothing To Do
Having no work and having nothing to do doesn’t have to feel boring.
You just have to know how to spend your free time to cherish your present time for its own sake.
Then have some self-discipline and boundaries around how you want to use that time, and it can be your chance to recharge, reflect, and do the little things that bring joy.
Next time you find yourself with nothing to do, try one or a few of these ideas.
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