I’ve been trying to reduce my screen time, but it’s not always easy. Especially on the weekends, when I have a lot of free time, I’m always getting the urge to scroll on my phone for hours, and honestly, I often give in. Which is exactly what I don’t want.
So, I started thinking about how I actually want to spend my weekends instead, and I sort of came up with the perfect no-doomscroll weekend plan. And in case you’re also struggling with reducing your screen time, I decided to share my perfect no-doomscroll weekend with you.
The Ultimate No-doom scroll Weekend
Slow mornings
I love a good slow start to my weekend. On weekdays, we get up, follow our morning routine, and work through our to-do lists. But on the weekends, I prefer a completely different routine and pace. Imagine waking up slowly and spending a little extra time in bed. Then, getting up, making your favorite breakfast, and actually taking the time to enjoy it. Maybe you’ll read a few chapters of the book you’re currently reading. Just really enjoy the peaceful and quiet morning without feeling like you have to rush anywhere. Eventually, I’ll start getting ready for the day, but there’s no need to rush. I just want to enjoy those slow weekend mornings and give myself some time to relax before the day really begins.
Walk
Then, once I’m ready for the day and wearing my favorite comfortable outfit, I’d go out for a morning walk. Just getting some fresh air without rushing. I’d slowly walk through the neighborhood or nature and take my time. And, of course, I’d make some time to pet all the cats I see along the way. I prefer to walk in silence, but if listening to podcasts or music is your thing, then do that. I’d rather just look around me and observe what’s happening. I love people-watching and seeing what everyone else is doing with their weekends. I also prefer to leave my phone at home when I go for a walk. It makes it so much easier to be present and actually enjoy my surroundings without feeling the urge to check my phone every few minutes.
Thrift store or Book Store
Then I would become a little bit more active, but still keep things very relaxing and chill. I love going to thrift stores and bookstores because I always feel at peace when I’m there. I can just browse around without feeling like I have to buy anything. At the bookstore, I would look at all the beautiful book covers and search for new books to add to my TBR. At the thrift store, I always check out the physical media section, which is also a great replacement for scrolling on your phone. Maybe I’ll find a fun movie on DVD or a good book that I can read someday. There’s something really nice about taking your time and browsing without having a specific goal in mind.
Movie Night
I love watching movies, so a movie night is a must. Maybe I’ll watch an older movie from my own DVD collection or a new one on a streaming service. First, I’ll make sure I have enough snacks and drinks so I don’t have to get up from the couch during the movie. My phone will be in a different room because I definitely don’t want to be scrolling on my phone while I’m trying to watch a movie. Without my phone next to me, I can truly focus on and enjoy the movie without any distractions.
Baking
What is better than buying cookies from the supermarket? Making them yourself and eating them while they’re still warm and gooey. It’s such a fun and enjoyable activity, and it will definitely distract you from reaching for your phone. So, basically, it’s a win-win situation because you’re not doomscrolling, and you also end up with delicious cookies or whatever else you’re baking. Plus, your whole house will smell amazing—unless you burn everything, of course. 😅
Cozy activities
And there are so many things you can do during an offline weekend. There are so many cozy hobbies that don’t require your phone. Puzzle books like Murdoku are a big hit these days, and I really enjoy doing them. There are also cute coloring books, board games, and 1,000+ piece puzzles. Or maybe you could simply do some more reading. And you can definitely invite your friends over for a cozy afternoon without your phones. Play some board games, bake something together, or just sit around and talk. Honestly, that sounds like the perfect afternoon to me.
Self-care & Self Love
And, of course, when you’re not scrolling, you’re saving a lot of time. That means you finally have time to start journaling, get some extra sleep, or maybe take a nice hot bath. Put on a face mask, paint your nails, or make some fun plans for the upcoming week.
There are so many little things you can do with that extra time, and they can make your weekend feel so much more relaxing and enjoyable.
Photo: Cup of Couple