21 Amazing Alternatives to Scrolling Social Media in 2025

We’re all trying to be better people.

Get rid of the extra noise so you can process only the information you need.

You know that super weird week between Christmas and New Year’s, where you feel a pull to get back to work, to be productive, and to get out of my holiday pants (basically extra stretchy yoga pants that have never done any actual yoga) and get back to life.

But you just can’t seem to get back to your regular routine yet. The kids are still off school, you have twenty pounds of dark chocolate to get rid of (eat), and your brain is just not ready.

So instead, you turn to scrolling.

You know the kind. The mindless scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.

Have you ever wondered what the actual data and activity volumes would be on social media if we all stopped posting filtered photos of ourselves doing un-interesting stuff, gym check-ins, cat videos, latest handbag purchases, completely unintelligent rants and other mindless fuckery?

Imagine a Facebook feed filled with creative, thoughtful expressions of our intelligence — an abundance of inspiration and creativity. 

Then I wondered, if I’m bored by my Facebook feed, I'm the boring one. I can only change what I can control, and that's what I do with my time.

You don’t have to quit social media completely. It’s something I’ve become more mindful of over the years.

Even if the only thing you ever post on social media is cat videos, there’s no judgment from me!

I wrote this to give you some inspiration. Offer up some ideas of things you could do other than scrolling social media. But only if you want to.

And please, don’t treat this list as a checklist, trying to do all these things. These are just some ideas to create some new habits that don’t involve mindless scrolling.

 21 things to do today besides scrolling

1. Read a book. Not sure where to start? Check out features at your library or the unfinished books on your bookshelf.

2. Take a walk. Yes, even if it’s cold. Even if it’s only 15 minutes, it's still nice to get outside.

3. Write a thank you note. For a gift you received recently or to a friend or family member just for being awesome.

4. Send fan mail. Send a letter or email to an author you love. You might think they get boatloads of mail every day. They might not get any.  

5. Watch TV. I know, one mindless activity to another, but the key here is ONLY to watch TV. No double-screening (scrolling while watching TV).

6. Go to the movies. Leave your phone in the car and get the junkiest junk food money can buy.

7. Listen to a book. Listen while you do some household chores, while driving, or walking.

8. Find a new podcast. Learn something new while you go about your day.

9. Make art. It doesn’t need to be gallery-worthy. I used to love playing with one of my kids’ Christmas presents, the Buddha board. On it, you paint with water, and the picture disappears in minutes — so therapeutic!

10. Journal. I didn’t journal for years because I thought I had nothing interesting to say. You know what, my morning pages are super dull and that’s cool!

11. Purge some clutter. You know you’ve got it. Read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up if you need some inspiration.

12. Wander a local museum, shop, or new-to-you town. You don’t need to spend money, simply wander around. Bring a notebook for all the inspiration you’ll get.

13. Go for a drive. Take a new route, visit a cafe on the other side of town just ‘cause.

14. Talk to people. I feel a little sad that this needs to be on a list. Instead of scrolling social media while you wait for your triple-shot, extra-hot oat milk cappuccino, look up and say hi to the person making your coffee. A simple “Hey, how’s it going?” is all you need to muster up to make someone’s day.

15. Create a power playlist. This is the modern version of the mixtape. You know the kinds of songs that make you feel like Rocky? Put all those tunes in one place, and have a special playlist just for writing. Here’s one of mine.

16. Make something. Build a thing, do a craft, build a damn birdhouse, paint a chair. Just use your hands.

17. Make a start, stop, continue list. What are some things that you want to start doing? Going to the gym? Drinking tea? What about things to stop doing? And what’s working well for you that you want to keep doing? Writing it down gives it more power.

18. Clean out your inbox. You don’t need to achieve inbox zero, but you could enjoy some newsletters or unsubscribe to some that no longer bring you joy. Even if it’s mine.

19. Look at all the free PDFs you’ve downloaded this year. Delete the ones you know you’ll never complete and keep the others in a special folder.

20. Start a blog. Even if it’s just some random thoughts and you’re not ready to publish yet.

21. Take a free online class. Or do some learning on YouTube. Pick a topic you’re interested in and follow the breadcrumbs.

You can even sit and do nothing (without feeling guilty of course), you might be doing your brain a favor. 

If you enjoyed this list, you might also like these: 

• 7 Things To Consider When You’re Trying To Choose a Writing Idea

• Write the Book Your Soul Wants To Write: 11 Important Questions To Ask Yourself 

• The Power of Penning Prayer Pages to Manifest Your Most Authentic Self