21 Ways To Keep Yourself Busy At Home Alone

Consider this: The average person spends nearly 90% of their life indoors, a staggering statistic that might make you ponder how you use that indoor time. When alone at home, these hours can often feel unremarkable, yet they hold untapped potential for personal growth and enjoyment.

Now, consider the hours we spend alone at home. It’s a vast expanse of time that often slips through our fingers, unnoticed and underutilized.

What if we could transform these solitary hours into a canvas for creativity, learning, and self-improvement?

This piece goes beyond mere time management; it’s an invitation to elevate each moment. Here, we explore 21 innovative ways to engage with your surroundings and yourself when you’re home alone, turning seemingly idle moments into a treasury of personal growth and enjoyment.

How do you keep yourself busy at home alone?

Well, there are actually many things that you can do to keep yourself busy at home alone, and many of them are surprisingly fun if you just give them a go. Here are 21 ways to keep yourself busy at home alone.

Read a good book.

Reading a good book is like having a conversation with a great person and their experiences. Keyword: “good” book. If you want to keep yourself busy, you have to find a book that will keep you interested and engaged. A good book is sure to immerse you in the thought of great ideas, wonderful stories, and generally inspiring conversations with the author and their world. 

Do a thorough house cleaning.

Alone time at home means you can get some serious cleaning done. With all this time, you can do a top-to-bottom cleaning of your house, and it is sure to keep you occupied all day. You might even find that the more you clean your house, the more you will discover just how much cleaning needs to get done. 

Declutter your things.

Over time, people tend to accumulate a lot of stuff, and most of it ends up being useless junk that they rarely or never use after the first time. Get rid of these. They only clutter up your house and take up an unnecessary amount of space, so spend your free time purging everything from your closet, wardrobe, bookshelf, attic, and wherever else you might store things. If you feel bad about throwing out some of them, consider donating or selling them. 

Practice a new skill or hobby.

Give your go at practicing a new skill or hobby. These can be as casual or as serious as you want them to be. Ideally, you would want something you can learn or indulge yourself in at a comfortable pace. This can be anything from learning a new instrument, collecting bottle caps, gardening, art, poetry, or whatever you might find interesting. Besides, when you learn a new language or develop a new hobby or passion, you level up and automatically become a more interesting person. The idea is to explore different things that might intrigue you and pick out one that you can leisurely invest your time and effort into.

Try out a new recipe.

New recipes are always worth trying, especially when you are home alone since there is no one to roast you about how bad your cooking is or how silly you look trying to learn how to flip an omelet. Hold nothing back and try to let your inner Gordon Ramsay shine, just without the loud yelling and screaming “WHERE’S THE LAMB SAUCE!”. 

Learn something new.

When you’re alone, it is a prime opportunity for learning something new. This is because you have an entire house to yourself free from distractions, which you can use to get into a deeply focused state for learning. Try to learn about things you are curious about, and that you can apply or benefit from. This can be anything from personal finance, philosophy, business, economics, history, self-development, and just about anything that you find or will find interesting. Even if you have no idea about the topic, there are countless resources and tutorials available online that can help you with just about anything. The whole point is to dive into it and learn, and do so at your own pace. 

Do a house project.

House projects tend to be those things you know that need to get done, but you never get around to doing it or simply find too many excuses to do them. If you want to keep busy alone, get yourself to complete projects around the house. Whether it’s repairing the broken doors or replacing the bathroom showerhead, there are plenty of things you can fix by yourself that are sure to keep you busy.

Do some planning and goal setting.

Spend your time at home to do some advanced planning for the future. You can create a calendar of events and schedule important dates or occasions so that you have an organized timetable to refer to when you do get busy. You can even try to set some personal goals you would like to achieve. These can be daily goals like a to-do list you can complete or long-term goals that you would like to pursue and attain in a few weeks, months, or years. This will help you set a clear vision of what you want in life, which will help you make more confident and definite choices down the road. 

Start a side hustle.

If you want to get productive, you can start a side hustle that can generate some extra money on the side. If you want to be doing it from home, online side hustles are the way to go. And fortunately, there are endless opportunities in the online world, so you can be sure to find something you can invest your time and efforts in. 

Rearrange your furniture.

Keep yourself busy by rearranging the furniture in your home. Switch things up by trying various layouts in spaces like your living room, bedroom, and dining area. This can be a great way to help create a new sense of appeal in your home. You can choose to create specific layouts for space efficiency, productivity, aesthetics, and many more depending on the look and style you are trying to achieve in your home. 

Get into some home workouts.

Home workouts can be a healthy and productive way to spend your time. There are plenty of exercises and workout routines that can be done in the comfort of your home, and with very little space required. Many of them don’t even require any equipment. Whether you plan to go along with some online Zumba class or follow a workout routine for weight loss, the right home workout sessions are sure to keep you occupied and exhausted at the end of the day. 

Listen to a podcast.

This modern take on radio stations is a refreshing and inspiring way to get in some quality gossip, news, and entertainment. With so many podcasts covering various topics and ideas, you are bound to find one (or many) that will appeal to you if you look hard enough. Plus, you can learn a lot from these since there are many inspiring minds and public figures that are dedicated to sharing their ideas and mindsets with the world. 

Watch some documentaries.

If you’re the type that loves to learn and wants something aside from books, you can immerse yourself in some documentaries. Documentaries can be highly enjoyable if you find the right ones that can interest you since many of them are highly educational yet engaging in how they portray concepts like theories and history. They essentially make boring topics look cool and really intriguing, and can spark some curiosity in you that you’ve never known you had. 

Binge-watch a new series or movie

Binge-watching a new series or movie is a great way to keep yourself entertained when you’re home alone. With the rise of streaming platforms, you have access to a wide range of content from different genres and countries. You can explore a new culture through international films, learn about a historical event through documentaries, or simply enjoy a fictional world in a fantasy series. Plus, watching a series or movie can also stimulate your mind and emotions, providing a form of escapism from your daily routine.

Do some journaling

Journaling is a therapeutic activity that allows you to express your thoughts and feelings freely. It’s a form of self-reflection that can help you understand yourself better. You can write about your daily experiences, your dreams, your goals, or anything that’s on your mind. Over time, you can look back at your entries and see how much you’ve grown and changed. Plus, journaling can also enhance your creativity and improve your writing skills.

Play some video games

Playing video games is not only entertaining but can also be mentally stimulating. Video games often involve problem-solving, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making skills. Whether you’re playing a single-player game or an online multiplayer game, video games can provide a sense of accomplishment as you progress and achieve goals. Plus, with the variety of games available, you can choose one that suits your interests, whether it’s adventure, sports, puzzles, or simulation games.

Dress up and try out different outfit variations

Dressing up and trying out different outfit variations can be a fun and creative activity. You can experiment with different styles, mix and match your clothes, and accessorize to complete your look. This can also help you discover your personal style and boost your confidence. Plus, it’s a great way to organize your wardrobe and identify the clothes you love and those you might want to donate or sell.

Work on personal grooming

Personal grooming is an essential part of self-care. It involves taking care of your physical appearance, which can boost your self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself. This can include skincare routines, hair care, manicures, pedicures, or even a relaxing bubble bath. Plus, personal grooming can also be a form of relaxation and stress relief.

Take a nice looooooong bath

Taking a long bath is a great way to relax and unwind. You can create a spa-like atmosphere at home with some bath salts, essential oils, candles, and calming music. This can help soothe your muscles, calm your mind, and improve your mood. Plus, taking a bath can also be beneficial for your skin, as the warm water can help open your pores and cleanse your skin.

Do some puzzles

Doing puzzles is a fun and challenging activity that can keep your mind active. Puzzles can help improve your problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and concentration. Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, crossword, sudoku, or a brain teaser, puzzles can provide a sense of accomplishment once you complete them. Plus, puzzles can also be a form of relaxation, as they require focus and can therefore help take your mind off other things.

Do some online window shopping

Online window shopping is a fun way to explore new products and trends without the pressure of buying. You can browse through different online stores, explore new collections, and even create wish lists of items you like. This can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and discover new brands. Plus, online window shopping can also be a form of inspiration, whether it’s for fashion, home decor, or lifestyle products.

Final Thoughts

While there are many things you can do to keep yourself busy at home alone, the key is to not let it get the best of you. If you have a busy life and find yourself with time on your hands, try some of these ideas out for size.

Now, here’s a thought: is the goal to simply ‘keep busy,’ or is it to use our solitude to grow? Next time you find yourself solo at home, ask not just ‘What can I do?’ but ‘What can I learn?’ This subtle shift in perspective might just turn those lone hours into your most productive and fulfilling ones.

 FAQs

Q: How can I stay connected with others while being alone at home?

A: You can stay connected with friends and family through video calls, messaging apps, or social media platforms like Zoom or Skype. Writing a letter to someone can also be a heartfelt way to connect with loved ones.

Q: How can I maintain a good workout routine while home alone?

A: You can use the time at home to focus on your physical health by trying at-home workouts, yoga, or following online workout tutorials. Many fitness apps and websites offer home-based workout routines for various fitness levels.

Q: How can I make the most of the time alone at home during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A: You can use the time to focus on personal development, explore new hobbies, learn a new language, or engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. It’s also a good time to practice self-care and maintain a positive outlook.

Q: What are some ways to keep yourself busy and productive while working from home?

A: You can create a daily schedule, set realistic goals, and take short breaks to recharge. It’s also important to stay connected with colleagues and friends through virtual meetings, phone calls, or collaborative online projects.

Q: How can I make the most of my time alone at home and practice self-care?

A: You can use the time alone at home to focus on activities that promote self-care and relaxation, such as enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, practicing mindfulness meditation using apps like Headspace, or engaging in activities that bring you peace and comfort.