Having the internet go out sucks. Being without it for days can be really rough! Here are 30 things to do without wifi!

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Oklahoma is known for tornadoes, but what I didn’t think about before we moved here is that those winds make regular appearances even if they don’t funnel into a cyclone. We had a stretch here when tornado-force winds hit our area every four days or so! Between that and the accompanying hail, there’s bound to be some property damage.

In spite of it being somewhat normalized, our small town doesn’t move quickly on repairs. We lost our wifi during one and were told that the earliest appointment available was nine days away! Oh, the joy of a small town.

When I tell this story, I get one of two responses. One (usually people under thirty, or with kids) involves some form of “Oh my gosh! That’s terrible!” The other is an eye roll. I know I sound like a baby to some. BUT. But. My main problem was actually that I’m trying run an internet-based business from home, so wifi is a must. So it’s cool for me to blame all my angst on that, right? Not the fact that I couldn’t watch Netflix? Right. Great, thanks, I’ll take it.

All that time stretching ahead of me got me thinking. There are tons of fun things and necessary projects lying around that I want/need to do, just never get around to. So I decided to make a list of things to do without wifi.

Whether you want self-care, fun with friends, or a reminder of those things around the house that just need doing, this list can get you started.

Things To Do Without Wifi

Fun at home:

1. Read a book! Or a magazine. Doesn’t matter what it is, just find that book you’ve been meaning to dig into.
2. Call a faraway friend.
3. Exercise.
4. Write a letter to someone. There’s nothing like that shiver of excitement when you find a handwritten something mixed in with your bills! Plus, your grandma will love it.
5. Pamper yourself at home! This could include a luxurious bath, paint your nails, put on a mask. Light candles and choose some relaxing music, go all out.
6. Cook something you’ve never made.
7. Go for a walk. Don’t bring your headphones. Just walk.
8. Dig out an old photo album and reminisce.
9. Think about where you want to be in 40 years. Make a list or talk to someone about things you can do now to get you there. This doesn’t need to be career – what do you want to characterize you? What experiences do you want to have?
10. Do something artistic: paint, sketch, create, sew, build. Do it for yourself – you don’t have to show anyone. Don’t judge yourself on the results, just enjoy it.
11. Turn on some music and really listen to it. Don’t multitask, just soak it in.
12. Invite someone over for a cup of tea and good conversation.
13. Play a card game or board game with friends.
14. Change the photos in your frames.
15. Look at the calendar and figure out a good time for your next trip!

Some of the less sexy things that need doing:

1. Back up your computer.
2. Update your resume. You know it’s been a while.
3. Vacuum/mop/insert chore here.
4. Knock out that random house thing you never actually do: clean your jewelry! Sharpen your knives! Wash the windows!
5. Choose photos to get printed. Either put them on a flash drive and take them to Target or put them in one folder to upload to Shutterfly and order when the wifi’s back.
6. Do a clothing purge. To make this more fun, add a friend you trust and wine.
7. Or go through your books/CDs/contents of your fridge. Get rid of what you don’t want or need.
8. Look at your nice clothes and figure out what’s overdue for a trip to the dry cleaner’s. Take them.
9. Are there work-related things that you can get ahead on, sans wifi?

When you want to wander further afield:

1. Try that coffeeshop/restaurant/bar you’ve been meaning to go to.
2. Check out your library and sign up for a card.
3. Catch a spontaneous movie.
4. Grab a camera (or your phone) and explore your city as if you’re a tourist.
5. Take a spontaneous day trip!
6. Go to your city’s chamber of commerce or tourism office to learn more about your hometown and find some new places to explore right there.

Who knows, maybe something will strike your interest enough to step away from the wifi and do it now!

What would be on your no-wifi list?