Offline hobbies to help you spend less time on your phone this summer From reading to gardening, here are some summer pastimes that help reduce the amount of time spent in front of a screen

Summer is the season of rest, slow living, and long, unhurried days. The evenings stretch on, time seems to expand, and, at least in theory, we should all feel a little freer. In reality, we check our phones just as much, if not more, than we do during the rest of the year. We do it at the beach, while walking, waiting for the sunset, or even during dinner with friends. The smartphone fills every quiet moment, just as it always does. According to several studies, we spend an average of more than four hours a day looking at our phone screens. The problem isn't the phone itself, but the fact that it has replaced all those small moments of boredom that, until just a few years ago, were where creativity, reflection, and imagination had room to flourish. Maybe the solution is simpler than it seems: filling our free time with activities that genuinely engage both the mind and the body.

Summer digital detox: 8 offline hobbies to stop scrolling

Rediscovering the joy of reading

It may sound obvious, but reading is probably one of the most effective antidotes to doomscrolling and compulsive scrolling. When we get absorbed in a great novel, our brains enter a completely different state of concentration than the one demanded by social media. It doesn't have to be a literary classic. A thriller, a popular science book, a travel memoir, or even a graphic novel can do the trick. What matters is rediscovering the pleasure of following a story without being interrupted every thirty seconds by a notification. Many people report that after just a few days of consistent reading, they naturally feel less compelled to check their phones. At first, though, the easiest strategy is simply to leave it in another room.

Gardening and taking care of plants

Even if you live in a city, you can still grow something: basil on a balcony, cherry tomatoes in pots, colorful flowers, or simply care for your houseplants. Several studies have shown that spending time around green spaces helps reduce stress and supports mental wellbeing. Gardening also teaches us something the digital world often makes us forget: patience. Plants grow slowly, and no amount of clicking can speed them up.

Drawing, painting, and making things by hand

Over the past few years, watercolors, embroidery, crochet, ceramics, and even adult coloring books have made a remarkable comeback. These kinds of creative hobbies keep both your hands and your mind busy. It's difficult to pick up your phone while you're painting or shaping clay. More importantly, they offer the unique satisfaction of creating something tangible instead of endlessly consuming digital content.

Walking without a destination

Not every walk needs to become a performance measured by a smartwatch or documented with endless photos. Walking while observing the landscape, listening to the sounds of the city or nature, and leaving your phone inside your backpack can become a simple form of mindfulness. Just thirty minutes a day can improve your mood and interrupt the constant stream of notifications. Better yet, try doing it without taking a single picture.

Learning something new

Summer is also the perfect time to finally start the hobby you've been postponing for months: film photography, cooking, surfing, yoga, birdwatching, astronomy, chess, learning a foreign language, or playing a musical instrument. Every new skill requires focus, practice, and consistency, all qualities that clash with the constant multitasking encouraged by smartphones.