Why You Should Ditch Your Phone and Try This Fun Activity with Your Friends (It’s Practically Free!)

This year is already shaping up to be a stressful one in so many ways, and my usual routine of scrolling on my phone throughout the day is starting to make it feel infinitely worse. My smartphone (I’m now thinking of getting a flip phone) and computer are literally my worst enemies when I’m trying to avoid yet another overwhelming news headline, which is why I’m taking this TikToker’s advice (ironic for an offline quest, I know) to try a unique hands-on activity with friends as the perfect anecdote.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed by what’s going on in the world, TikToker @readinglolita suggests ditching AI chabots and social media apps for some healing time with friends. In this case, a no-spend crafting night where you customize a deck of playing cards with collages sourced from pictures in magazines.

“Close that app and go experience the joy of creating real art with your loved ones,” the creator urges in the video, showing their friends sitting around a table and talking while working on the craft. Not only are arts and crafts a fun and therapeutic bonding activity with friends, but research shows that having a focused activity that you have to engage with in the moment also distracts you from anxiety and other worries by lowering your cortisol (stress) levels. 

As an added bonus, you can feel accomplished at the end knowing that you created something fun with your hands — and the feeling of creative control can feel really satisfying when you’re otherwise feeling overwhelmed or helpless.

The creator’s idea of customizing playing cards is a creative twist on the manifestation board and collaging trends, while also promoting a sense of community and collaboration — after all, you’re working together to revamp a standard deck of cards. All you need to do is glue on whatever you’d like from your collaging materials using something like Mod Podge if you want them to dry without the sides peeling up. Also, make sure you can still see the card numbers and suits so they’re playable.

You can also try one commenter’s suggestion to use tarot cards instead or to create a summer vision board. One TikToker also noted they’ll be trying the DIY cards craft idea to make a gift, which is a great way to save money while also giving a friend a one-of-a-kind present.

You should definitely use what you have at home to make this a basically free activity. But if you don’t have playing cards, tarot cards, or magazines at home, you can ask friends and family for anything they aren’t using or check out your local thrift store to buy them on a budget. You can also find playing cards on Amazon for under $5 if you’d rather shop online and have it delivered straight to your door. 

Whatever iteration you decide to try to kick your screens for a weekend, you’ll have the benefit of hours of more bonding time with friends as well as a beautiful piece of art you can keep and take home with you (and actually use!). And a lot of time will be spent using your hands to do something other than scroll.