Look, texting a guy can be a real rush of excitement, but it can also be bad for you if you're trying to create some boundaries. Like, maybe it's an ex who you vowed to stay away from, or a partner that you just can't get enough of (to the point that it's getting a little excessive).
In those tempting times when all you want to do is shoot him (or her) a text (or 12), do one of the equally gratifying things on this handy-dandy list instead. Trust, you'll thank us later.
1. Buy a pair of shoes.
Shoes are special enough that you'll have to spend some actual time considering the style/fit/comfort/price of it that you'll definitely get your mind off of things.
2. Go to the movies.
Suck down an Icee so fast you give yourself brain freeze and forget how to text for a second.
3. Get lost in a Wikipedia spiral.
My favorite: look up an actor or actress from a random movie and just click other performers' names on other projects until you're sick of it.
4. Download a dating app and swipe with oblivion.
Assuming you're single, there really is no better distraction.
5. Watch Netflix.
Fuck it, watch The Office for the umpteenth time in a row.
6. Stress-bake.
No stand mixer? Crank that batter by hand then!
7. Go to the gym.
Bonus points if you actually go in.
8. Do not drink.
Truly, you're going to regret it if you do, and with your inhibitions down, you will definitely fire off those texts.
9. Window shop.
For anything! Antiques, home decor, clothes, jewelry... ahh, isn't it all so pretty?
10. Seriously, do not drink.
Yes, it needed another point!
11. Paint your nails.
Reach for your phone and mess up your own manicure at your own risk!
12. Bum around a bookstore.
Peruse the new novels, look at fun stationary, read a magazine.... the possibilities are endless.
13. Go to a cafe and get lost in a book.
Pop over to a cafe for a hot drink and whatever book you just bought and go at it.
14. Stress-cook.
Totally different from stress baking. Stress-cooking can also net you meal prep for the upcoming week.
15. Look up what an old ex is doing these days.
Ideally, it's an ex that's far back enough that you for sure will not feel tempted to text him.
16. Look up what the ex of the current person you're seeing is doing these days.
Be honest, you know her name anyways!
17. Buy a Rubik's cube and try to solve it.
Very frustrating! Almost as frustrating as not checking your phone every two seconds.
18. Clean.
I know, sorry.
19. Do dishes.
Your hands can't check your phone if they're inside rubber gloves, can they?
20. Update your Linkedin profile
Sure, add "English—Proficiency: Native" in there as an extra skill, why not?
21. Do whatever the fuck you're supposed to be doing anyways.
Be honest, should you be paying attention in class or at work right now?
22. JK don't punish yourself. Just sit there, but put your phone far away.
You don't have to throw yourself into anything substantial, that's too much rn.
23. Play the Sims.
God, I love the Sims. Your sims will never leave you on read.
24. Make a finsta.
If you already have a finsta, make a second one. Layers!
25. Look at dogs to adopt.
If you don't have 27 Petfinder tabs open, you're not even trying.
26. Get on the phone and make a doctor's appointment that you're probably putting off anyways.
Lol, the worst!
27. Think about getting really into an ambitious DIY project.
Ikea hack your life.
28. Take up a fun and destructive new behavior.
Fall into nail biting in your twenties! Become someone who puts their hair in their mouth. Live a little!
29. Pick up a book you've already started.
You don't have to finish it, just get back into it.
30. Go for a walk.
It can literally be a walk around the block or a mall. Walking is walking!
31. Smile at the next dog you see.
True, maybe you'd do this anyway, but waiting for a dog to cross your path is always fun.
32. Call your mom.
You probably need to do this anyways.
33. Clear out the photos folder on your phone.
You don't need 38 tries of that one selfie from 2015 anyways.
34. Do laundry.
You'll be so thankful for this when you have clean versions of your Good Socks in a week.
35. Take a nap.
Doesn't a nap sound good?
36. Text a friend.
Shittalk the guy you're trying not to text and get some healthy satisfaction from that instead.
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