Embracing new hobbies as distraction from cellphone scrolling [Unscripted column] | Entertainment

Earlier this year I had to confront a sobering truth … I am addicted to my phone. Every Sunday for the past couple of years I’ve received a screen time data analysis, courtesy of Apple, that would leave most astonished.

After finding myself unable to sit through an episode of “The Sopranos” without checking my phone, I decided enough was enough and began my quest to put down my phone and leave it. Spending less time scrolling online was difficult and relatively boring initially, but yielded new interests and hobbies.

Rated on how effective they were in distracting me from my phone, are the following things I did to go from phone-obsessed to “has anyone seen my phone?”

Crafting

I used to consider myself a creative person, then I started this “challenge.” My creative streak as a child involved coloring books, sidewalk chalk masterpieces and crudely stitched dresses made from old blankets. I haven’t dabbled in the arts in a while, so I forgot just how much time it took to make something from nothing until I sat down and tried.

After scrolling Pinterest for inspiration — I know, already off to a bad start — I was able to get started. I tried a few different crafts: crocheting a blanket, way too much time; crocheting a bear, way too complicated; making a felt garland for fall, fun until I burned myself with the hot glue gun. Each craft was enjoyable until I inevitably found myself tired of staring at a bunch of craft supplies.

After a few attempts at crafting, I found myself enjoying it most when I have music or background noise of some sort. My longest stretch of crafting without checking my phone, you ask? Four hours. Do I have any finished crafts to show off? No.

Rating: 6/10. Fun but not great because I like instant gratification.

Baking

Baking is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time. A lot of my recipes are written down, so baking is the one activity where I truly don’t need my phone. When I found myself bored and scrolling on weekends, I put my phone in another room and marched to the kitchen to make a weekly treat.

Mixing, kneading and decorating kept me busy for hours at a time, especially when I would prepare multiple treats for the week. Best part of all? I barely missed my phone.

Rating: 9/10. I subtracted one point because I’m sure this is the reason my husband and I gained 5 pounds each.

Exercise

This is something I admittedly do not do often enough, so I figured I would give it a try. It’s good for you, and you definitely can’t use your phone while doing it. So what’s the worst that can happen? Well, I’m asthmatic so the worst that could happen is an asthma attack.

I digress.

I’m not a huge fan of high-impact workouts, so I tried things that would be presumably less difficult, like yoga and Pilates. I was wrong; yoga and Pilates are very hard. Even worse, I spent the entire time thinking about how I would rather be on Instagram, sending Reels to my friends.

After a few attempts, I decided to go back to basics and buy a walking pad so I could spend my free time getting my steps. Surely, that would be easier. Unfortunately, walking pads remove the best thing about walking: the view. Plus, while using my walking pad, I couldn’t help but think of all the things I would rather be doing — like scrolling on my phone.

Rating: 0/10. Low score because I fell off my walking pad and I somehow managed to gain weight despite exercising.

Gardening

One of my goals for 2025 was to spend more time outside, so when I decided to spend less time on my phone it was a no-brainer that I would try an outdoor hobby like gardening. I don’t have a great track record when it comes to plants — most of my house plants either die or have to be revived by my Nana — but I figured I would give it one last try.

Starting with indoor plans like pothos, string-of-pearls and a money tree, I gained enough confidence to plant tomatoes from seed. Much to my surprise my tomato plant sprouted and grew vines so fast I didn’t know what to do. Seriously, I had no idea what steps to take next. So I foolishly repotted the plant. When it started to look sad and limp, I panicked, repotted it in a large planter and moved it outside into the August heat.

My tomato plant went from limp to on life support within 24 hours. Before admitting defeat, I reached out to LNP | LancasterOnline’s resident plant expert, Home & Garden reporter Erin Negley, and she gave me advice that saved my tomato plant.

My garden adventure has been so nerve-wracking at times that I completely forget I have a phone, which ultimately is the goal. My tomato plant has yet to yield fruit, but I’m hopeful to gain something from this experience other than dirt under my nails and a reduced screen time.

Rating: 8/10. Somewhat pricey, and there are lots of bugs outside, but I did get a tan and hopefully there will be plenty of tomatoes in my future.

Being a busy bee

Since I started this “challenge,” I have attended three bridal showers, four weddings, one concert, one quinceanera and countless family dinners, so I haven’t had much time to sit around and scroll.

Celebrating milestones with loved ones and making memories has been the highlight of my year so far. Spending time living my life to the fullest has probably been the most effective way to reduce my screen time, and has unintentionally improved my quality of life.

Taking the time to connect with family and friends has reminded me that there’s so much more to life than doomscrolling on TikTok for hours or reading about “stan wars” on X. Have I officially broken up with my phone? Not yet, but I’m thinking of ways to let it down easy.

Rating: 10/10. No notes.

Leilani Turoczi is a copy editor and page designer for LNP | LancasterOnline. “Unscripted” is a weekly entertainment column produced by a rotating team of writers.