Sometimes I find myself in need of a bit of a reset or “buffer time” between larger tasks. I feel as though I just need five or ten minutes of doing something “mindless” before hopping to the next project, almost as if I’m reloading. This is when I catch myself reaching for my phone the most. But this small attempt at taking a break doesn’t really feel all that restful. So instead, I’ve started opting for some single-tasking habits and hobbies that are quick to pick up.
The habits I’ll cover another time. Both are rewarding in their own ways, but for this post, I’ll stick to the fun, relaxing stuff you can dip in and out of with minimal setup.
Journaling
It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t even need to be good. Journaling is whatever you make it: a place to jot down your ideas, thoughts, reflections, and whatever else comes to mind. All you need is a simple notebook and a pen.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can find many journaling prompts online—but don’t overthink it! Remember, no one is critiquing your work. You’re writing it for you.
And if you want to add a touch of creativity, there are many avenues to do so using markers, colourful tape, stickers, and more. You can even turn it into somewhat of a keepsake scrapbook by adding photos, ticket stubs, receipts, and magazine cutouts.
Colouring
I like this option for low-energy moments because all it requires is a small box of pencil crayons, a book, and the only choice I need to make is what colour comes next. Rather than processing a bunch of random bits of news and information, it gives me something to rest my focus on while letting my mind sort of wander. It also pairs well with a warm drink and chill music, and doesn’t require so much focus that someone else can’t cozy in beside you with a book of their own.
Reading
I used to struggle with this one. Not because I don’t enjoy reading, but because I felt I didn’t have time to read until I dropped the notion I need to finish a chapter or even reach the end of a page before setting the novel down—that’s what bookmarks are for. Yes, it’s nice to sit and read multiple chapters uninterrupted, but I’ve gotten through far more books since I started just picking up the book, whether I have ten, fifteen, or thirty minutes of quiet.
Something that helped at first was picking books with shorter chapters (James Patterson has many), but I even got through the thick Inheritance series in short bursts.
Reading is also incredibly portable, so if you want to replace any scrolling you do on the go, this is an excellent choice.
Puzzle books
Need a hobby that’s a bit more challenging? Puzzle books may be an option for you. There are many options here—crosswords, Sudoku, word search, variety, etc.—all of which could sit nicely on your coffee table or in your book bag on the go.
Jigsaw puzzles
I used to think puzzles would take over my dining table until I got a puzzle roll for like twenty bucks. That said, because of the extra step in setting it up (it maybe takes five minutes), I usually save this one for when I have a bigger gap between plans and there aren’t any immediate chores nagging at me. Though, because it’s so fun, sometimes a puzzle session becomes part of the plan.
Walking
Easier said than done in a Canadian winter, but sometimes a fifteen-minute walk around the neighbourhood is exactly what I need to recharge after a long productivity block. Years ago, when I realized my screen time was creeping up, I decided to replace just 15 minutes of that with walking, and it’s still very much a part of my daily routine. No music. No podcasts. My phone stays in my pocket.
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If you’re looking for more ideas, here’s a list of 18 hobbies to explore as an adult.