"If there’s anything worse than the Sunday scaries, it’s the Sunday morning screen time notifications. And while platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and (sigh) Slack all contribute to that triggering weekly report, there’s one app I chose to download on a fateful day in 2021 that has kept me scrolling nonstop ever since. That app, of course, would be TikTok.
Over the years, my For You page has been filled with makeup hauls, salad recipes, dance tutorials, and pet raccoons. Viral hot takes, trending stitches, and unsponsored influencer ads have also made their way onto my feed—the result of an algorithm that’s addictive by design. So when it was announced that TikTok would be permanently banned in the United States, part of me worried about losing all my video collections, while another part of me felt relief. On January 18 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, the app went dark—only to return less than 24 hours later. I can’t say I was thrilled with its speedy revival. But then I remembered that I have free will (hey, another TikTok trend!) and decided to enact a ban of my own.
Instead of surrendering to the infinite scroll, I’m now imagining all the ways I can start creating the life I had dreamed of with every TikTok video I saved. If you’re similarly looking for things to do beyond scrolling TikTok, here are some of the activities I’m trying out in my extra free time. These may not be trending on your FYP, but I’m betting they’ll be way more satisfying.
1. Starting a reading journal
One thing about me is I love collecting books and journals, but finding the motivation to actually read and write can be a struggle. The solution: combining the two hobbies with a reading journal. As I read, I can scribble down my reflections, analyses, favorite quotes, and reviews for my own records—no Goodreads account required.
2. Making my own flower arrangements
In another life, I would have loved to be a florist, but for now, I’ll settle for creating my own bouquets with a few bunches from Trader Joe’s. I like to grab some larger blooms for the focal point, filler flowers to fill in the gaps, and a bit of greenery. I love that each arrangement is its own work of art that adds so much color and life to my apartment.
3. Crafting custom mocktails
This winter, I’m opting to stay in more than I go out, but I love whipping up a fancy drink in a coupe glass to recreate the vibes of a night out. In the spirit of dry January, I’ve made non-alcoholic palomas, lemon drop martinis, and Cosmo-esque spritzers. And as any good mixologist knows, the garnishes are key—rosemary sprigs, smoked citrus wedges, and edible flowers all make for an elevated finishing touch.
4. Meditating
Ironically, the people who would most benefit from meditation are also often the most likely to find it difficult. It’s me, I am people. My one experience with a candlelit meditation class where I physically couldn’t stay still proved this to be true. Now, I’m committed to adding more mindfulness to each day, setting aside time for breath work and intention setting.
5. Becoming a Pilates girlie
Just like with meditation, I’ve made honest attempts at conquering reformer pilates. I’ve visited swanky SoHo studios and worn my best Lululemon sets, and I still almost flew off the machines. Now in the comfort of my home (and safely on the floor), I’m taking on mat pilates with the help of a few popular YouTube instructors.
6. Experimenting with makeup
As a recovering TikTok scroller who also works in the beauty industry, I know that there’s always a new makeup trend to try. Now just for fun, I’m playing with color analysis, foundation techniques, and even graphic eyeliner looks to stay entertained (and away from my phone).
7. Studying like a college student
While there are no majors, minors, and syllabi in the real world, who’s to say you can’t still study topics that interest you like a student? Right now, I’m learning all there is to know about fiction writing—I’ve joined free webinars, listened to podcasts, and borrowed books from the library to master this skill on my own.
8. Painting
As a writer, my work days (and nights) are spent typing away on a keyboard and staring at a screen, so the idea of creating something with only a paintbrush, a palette, and a blank canvas calls to me. I never excelled in art class growing up, but now I’m savoring the moments to simply express myself without any expectations.
Emma Guillen, Contributing Fashion Writer
Emma is an NYC-based writer with a master’s in communication from Boston University. She’s currently on the brand authority team at Macy’s, bringing print and digital campaigns to life for the country’s most iconic retailer. Beyond The Everygirl, Emma’s editorial work has been featured in publications like POPSUGAR, HelloGiggles, and Darling Magazine, among others.