You might not believe this, but ideas are all around us. In the things we see and the things we hear. In the people we meet and the places we go. If you’re open to it, inspiration is everywhere. But sometimes it’s hard to capture those ideas and turn them into something we can use.

This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but to provide you with a jumping-off point for you to create your own essays, stories, screenplays, social media posts, or blog posts.

What things should you write about when bored?

  1. Write about a time when you were faced with a difficult decision.
  2. Write about a time when you had to overcome a specific fear.
  3. Write about a time when you were disappointed.
  4. Write about a time when you achieved something you didn’t think was possible.
  5. Write about a place you’ve always wanted to visit.
  6. Write about someone who has had a significant impact on your life.
  7. Write about an event that changed the course of your life.
  8. Write about a hobby or interest you have that people might not expect.
  9. Write about a time when you had to figure things out for yourself.
  10. Write about a time when you were faced with a difficult decision.
  11. Write about a time when you had to overcome a fear.
  12. Write about a time when you were disappointed.
  13. Write about a time when you achieved something you didn’t think was possible.
  14. Write about your favorite hobby or interest that people might not expect.
  15. Write about a time when you had to figure things out for yourself.
  16. Write about a time when you struggled but didn’t give up.
  17. Write about a lesson you learned the hard way.
  18. Write about something you’re passionate about, even if it’s not something people usually talk about.
  19. Write about a time when you had to stand up for yourself or someone else.
  20. Write about a time when you made a mistake but learned from it.
  21. Write about a time when you were proud of yourself or someone else.
  22. Write about a random act of kindness you’ve experienced or witnessed.
  23. Write about something that made you laugh recently
  24. Write about a time when you were faced with a difficult decision.
  25. Write about things that make you laugh
  26. Write about something that made you frustrated recently
  27. Write about things that surprised or confused you lately
  28. Look through old pictures and write about a memory that comes to mind
  29. Write about a place you’ve been meaning to visit
  30. Write about a time in your life when things were tough but you got through it
  31. Write about someone who has had a significant impact on your life
  32. Write about an event that changed the course of your life
  33. Write about a hobby or interest you have that people might not expect
  34. Write about a time when you had to figure things out for yourself
  35. Talk to people you know and ask them about things they’ve been struggling with or things they’re passionate about
  36. Write about your first kiss
  37. Write a love letter to your favorite object
  38. Write a eulogy for your least favorite things
  39. Write a story from the perspective of an inanimate object
  40. Write a poem about the color blue
  41. Rewrite the ending to your favorite book
  42. Create a character and write a short story about them
  43. Write a story about a sentient eggplant
  44. Write a love letter to your favorite pair of shoes
  45. Write a eulogy for your least favorite food
  46. Write a poem about the color green
  47. Rewrite the ending to your favorite TV show
  48. Describe your day using only movie titles
  49. Write a story in which the protagonist is a character from Greek mythology
  50. Have an ongoing battle between two countries be fought entirely through dance battles
  51. Write a story in which every character is animals, with humans as the mythical creaturess
  52. Invent a new holiday and write about the celebrations
  53. Write about a world in which books are used as weapons
  54. Have a character try to reconnect with a former love from a parallel universe
  55. Write about a first date that takes place in an alternate dimension
  56. A group of friends use time travel to fix things that have gone wrong in their lives
  57. Write about two people discover they are long lost twins separated at birth who have been living parallel lives
  58. Write about a woman discovers her true identity is an alien just as she is about to be married
  59. Write a story in which all the major laws of physics are reversed
  60. In a future world, emotions are illegal and people take pills to suppress them. Write about a character who rebels against this society.
  61. Write about a secret path through the woods and where it leads

Write When You’re Bored For a New Perspective

No matter what you’re writing, be it a novel or just a grocery list, you need ideas. Sure, sometimes the muse decides to show up and things flow effortlessly from your brain to the page. But usually, that doesn’t happen.

The above list of things to write about should help you when you’re bored or need a fresh perspective. This list of writing prompts for adults could also help!