March 2, 2026 by Katie Plue (‘27)
Congrats! You made it the first full week back from break. Unless you were on vacation, you probably used all those free days to increase your screentime by 12 hours, and if you were, you likely spent all your travel time glued to your phone. But remember those New Years goals you made 2 months ago? Why not use days off for something more productive and fulfilling instead? Here are 10 things you can do instead of doomscrolling.
- Reading.
Oh, the horror! Picking up a book made up of paper and words willingly! I know it sounds terrible, but if you find an enjoyable book, it can be really fun. There are many genres so choose whatever you like. And, no, reading isn’t performative, not if you really like it. Reading before bed will help you sleep, and it increases your vocabulary. Make it your goal to read 50 pages today, just 50, and maybe you’ll discover that you do enjoy reading.
- Find a new show.
This is for the people who have tried reading, and can’t do it, or if you physically repulse at the thought of touching a book. The remarkable thing about shows is that you can watch them as you do something productive, like cleaning your room. I know you have a pile of clothes on your chair right now, put them away. Though nothing much has come out recently, I recommend looking at old shows from the 2000s. I find them entertaining, if you like drama of course.
- Go prom dress shopping.
For the girls obviously. It may seem early, but it’ll catch up to you quickly. Especially if you’re an indecisive person, you’ll want to start looking at dresses early, so you can decide what you’re looking for. The great thing about living in Saratoga Springs is that we are surrounded by amazing boutiques and dress shops with many different styles and price ranges. I personally would recommend checking out Something Bleu Bridal and Lilys downtown. Shopping for dresses can be a super fun experience with friends and definitely passes time.
- Go out with friends.
Getting out of the house in any way is beneficial to your health. Humans are not meant to sit in one place for so long. Even if you just go over to their house and watch movies, you’re still choosing quality time with them, over sitting alone in your room. Try reaching out to someone you haven’t seen in a while. Reconnecting might help you realize how much you like getting out of the house.
- Go on a walk.
Layers are a thing. Going on a walk is a great way to clear your head, while also getting exercise. Take advantage of the decent weather this week. It looks to be around 30s-40s, which is still cold, but much better than 10-15 degrees we got a few weeks ago. Spring is finally coming! Bundle up, grab your headphones, get outside, and take in the fresh air; it’s good for your health. You need it after being stuck in school.
- Clean out your closet.
Trust me, this takes hours. Well, it does if you’re anything like myself. Maybe I should take my own advice… Sort through your clothes and find anything you don’t reach for anymore. Put them in a pile to get rid of, and run them over to a consignment store, a donation drop bin, or the Franklin Community Center. Donating clothes is a great way to give back to the community and not letting them go to waste. Next time you buy clothes, be more careful about what you might wear or not.
- Rearrange your room.
I know this means you might have to, wait for it, clean your room. But sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. Move your bed to a different corner or switch everything to the other side of the room. Even just hanging up new posters or finding something cute to put on your nightstand might spark a sudden productivity and encourage you to do more. Out with the old, and in with the new.
- Catch up on homework.
School can be overwhelming, and even top students forget work sometimes. Check your SchoolTool, you might have a few assignments missing. Five-week progress reports are out, which means you still have time to get work in before the end of the quarter. Take a couple of hours to go through what you owe, create a plan, and tackle it. Doing your homework early prevents more stress in the future when you’re trying to cram everything in.
- Go to the city.
Though it may be last minute, grab a friend or family member and go on a day trip to the city. Plan a cute outfit and explore parts you haven’t been to or just go shopping. Grab lunch or coffee with whoever you’re with. This is another fantastic opportunity for quality time. Just remember to be safe and don’t do anything stupid, please.
- Spend time with the people you love.
We don’t get enough of it. Life is short, so spend it with the people that matter. Whether that’s family or friends, there are plenty of things you can do instead of being locked in your room. Go downstairs and just see where it leads you. Sit on the couch and watch sports with your dad. Get off your phone and go talk to your mom. Get out of bed and go play a game with your siblings. As much as you say you hate them, you know truly you love them and that not enough of your time is spent with them.
Getting off your phone is great for your mental and physical health. Phones are great tools and there are times where we can benefit from taking a break and watching TikTok or catching up on people’s lives on Instagram. However, everyone, even I, should realize there are downsides to staying on your phone too long, if you don’t use it responsibly. With that being said, spend your time wisely, because you never know if there will be a time when you may not have as much of it.