Boredom is one of life’s unavoidable state of mind—sometimes, it can feel impossible to escape. This became particularly true when many of us were stuck indoors due to the COVID-19 lockdown. But boredom can also be fought against easily. Here are the best things to do when you’re bored at home.

Stuck indoors with nothing to do? That’s probably a lie we’ve all been trying to tell ourselves. Think of productive tasks you’ve always ignored until now, and get to it!

Start by cleaning your fridge, your windows, wash your floors, hoover too while you’re at it. Is your closet as messy as mine is? Come on, pour yourself an extra-large glass of wine and start organising your closet—having an organised space will help you remember what you have and find hidden gems. Do your washing, clean your computer hard drive and deep clean your bathroom for extra points!

The previous spring cleaning session wasn’t enough to break you out of boredom? That means it’s time for you to expand your creative skills!

With TikTok choreographies being all the rage at the moment, why don’t you learn one specific dance? Who knows, you might end up breaking the internet. Along the same lines, you could start a journal (before completely deserting it after a few days), write a song, a poem or even a play. Try to paint something you love, write your loved ones some old school letters.

For many, me included, fighting boredom equals going in the kitchen and cooking or baking whatever you can. Just because we’re here to have fun, not to exhaust ourselves, start by learning the art of cocktail making—trust me, you won’t regret it.

Try baking bread, as cliché as it sounds, homemade bread truly is delicious. Continue by baking cookies for your day (and night, let’s be real) snacks. Not comfortable in the kitchen? Just make fancy dips for your next movie marathon.

It might sound obvious, but one of the best ways to fight boredom is by watching movies and videos. Start by picking a reality TV show you’ve never seen before, and binge it. That should keep you entertained for quite some time. Are you more of a movie enthusiast? Then look up classic movies and reinforce your movie knowledge.

Start a new book, a video game, a puzzle—anything you prefer! And just because making a puzzle by yourself in complete silence sounds borderline depressing, create a playlist just for this activity.

If you’ve done most of the things mentioned above and still feel bored or restless, there’s only one thing left for you to do: relax, baby!

Treat yourself, give yourself a manicure and pedicure, apply a soothing face mask and jump in a warm bubbly bath. Once you’re out and already less tense, do some yoga to, meditate or go for a walk. If you have a pet, cuddle with them! If you don’t, lie down on your bed and listen to a new podcast.

This year, a whole summer of festivals (and many other things) got cancelled. What can you do to kill time? Why not enjoy a summer of great movies instead? Just for you, we have compiled 10 of the best movies we’ve watched on Netflix recently. The digital platform has been especially busy this month, adding close to 100 new movies in August alone. However, Netflix also takes down about 50 movies on the first of each month, so make sure you put that subscription to good use and get watching!

First off, here are the ones not to miss with an end of month countdown. If you still haven’t got around to watching Blue Is the Warmest Colour, you’ve got until the 25 August. The movie was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and with nothing quite like it ever produced before the screenplay turned quite a few heads. This film marks a change of era, it is a modern classic. You’re welcome!

Lady Bird is another must-watch on our list. This one has been shown for a while, but it’s a film that will be spoken about for years to come—whoever you are, Saoirse Ronan’s character in Lady Bird will speak to you. If you’re still not convinced, should we mention that Timothée Chalamet is the main love interest?

Da 5 Bloods follows four African American Vietnam vets who return to Vietnam years after the war to search for the remains of their fallen squad leader, along with some buried treasure. It’s an adventure story where future and past are coherently lived by the main characters, real footage from the war is shown throughout too, which allows for a heartbreaking insight on what war brings.

If you like a mafia drama with an A-List cast, then The Irishman will not disappoint. Starring Robert de Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, this 3 hours and a half long movie is definitely worth it. Just prepare your snacks beforehand!

Million Dollar Baby is one of those films that make you feel invincible and want to run for your dreams with all guns blazing. It takes your emotions for a heck of a ride. If you’re lacking motivation or self-doubt is creeping along your peripherals, trust us and watch this.

Unbroken is Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut and we are obsessed with it. The outstanding performances come close to none, based in WW2, Olympian Louis Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) fights for his sanity and life in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Nice one, Jolie.

To lighten up the mood or when you feel like an easy watch without much concentration to spend, Love Wedding Repeat is the one to go for. It’s all drama and laughter for this one and who can say no to that?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the British historical drama for the romantics out there. Set on Guernsey Island, it is beautiful enough to make us all want to escape to an internetless town and fall in love.

Project Power is the latest action film with a sci-fi twist that everyone is talking about. Starring Jamie Foxx, it ticks all the boxes for an edge-of-a-seat watch.

To end on a ‘true cinema’ note, last but not least is Roma, one of the most cinematographically satisfying watches available on Netflix. Shot in black and white, the movie is a stunning piece of work that will make anyone want to go to film school. A slither of modern cinema, the list that keeps growing! Enjoy.