25 things to do before reaching for your phone

Do you find yourself first thing in the morning reaching for your phone to see what the latest updates are on social media or in the news? Or perhaps you’re checking your phone throughout the day out of boredom or even out of habit?

All too often we check our phones without even knowing the “why” behind us reaching for it in the first place.

Here are 25 things you can do today instead of scrolling on your phone:

1. Read 20 pages of a book
2. Exercise for 30 minutes
3. Try a new recipe, sweet or savoury
4. Enjoy an awe walk outdoors
5. Listen to music or a favourite podcast
6. Practice mindfulness or meditation
7. Journal about your day, thoughts, or goals
8. Call a friend or family member
9. Learn something new
10. Engage in a favourite hobby
11. Declutter a room in your home
12. Volunteer or help a neighbour
13. Practice or learn to play an instrument
14. Visit a garden centre or start a small indoor garden
15. Perform a random act of kindness in your community
16. Solve a puzzle, sudoku, or a crossword
17. Write a letter to someone
18. Attend a workshop or class in your community or through Coursera
19. Explore a neighbourhood in your city or town you’ve never been to before or take a road trip to somewhere new
20. Take a picture every day for a month to capture favourite moments
21. Visit a gallery or museum (some libraries offer free passes)
22. Read a magazine or newspaper in a favourite coffee shop
23. Write down three things you’re grateful for today
24. Learn a new language (there are lots of free apps and videos online)
25. Write a Future Me letter to yourself

What would you add to this list?

~Kate