Something to do with my hands when watching tv!

[Floofatron]

I need to stop scrolling on my phone on when watching tv. I wish I was into crochet, knitting etc but have tried many times and I’m just not into it. Any ideas what I could do? I thought about mindful colouring but think I might get bored. I have a lot of nervous energy and always fiddling with my hair etc - need something to do with my hands that isn’t my phone!

I’m exactly the same. I colour or have a very old game on my iPad that just keeps my hands busy. I south I could know or crochet. But can’t get the hang of it.

@Toddlerteaplease yes I actually find a mindless game a good thing but as it’s on my phone I end up doing the usual doom scrolling etc.
I read a lot which is properly relaxing as I’m not on my phone but there are lots of times I do want to watch crap tv and have something else to fiddle with too!

Play with a piece of blutack or plasticine, or get those strings of magnetic ball bearings or a Rubik’s cube.
Could you make simple friendship bracelets?

Slight derail, but does anyone ever do colouring in that’s not mindful?

I sometimes take the chopping board and veggies into the living room, chop loads of vegetables and freeze them or put in the fridge ready for the week.

Find something you actually want to watch on TV?

Cross-stitch or embroidery?
Quite cheap to buy the starting kits and requires very little skill. For embroidery (which I do), I sometimes just do blocks of colour rather than anything 'arty' - just keeps me occupied.

This weekend, I made a beaded plant. The end result is beautiful and kept me occupied for about 10 hours over the entire weekend. Though buying all the bits was about £50, so pretty pricey.

Apparently, many programmes are made these days on the premise that people watching TV will be doing so whilst on a screen.

Years ago, I learned simple crochet, I made mostly full sized and baby blankets and throws, really enjoyed that it was easy to pick up and put down when I felt like it, fun to choose the colour schemes too.
I'm sure there are community centres, church groups, dedicated crafting workshops, adult education centres, even Hobby Craft stores have workshops, of course YouTube has videos to learn the basics.
Yarn is often found inexpensively at charity shops.

Jigsaw puzzles
Handstitched patchwork

Do the ironing
Get some fidget toys
Suduko

@MagpiePi I find the adult colouring books to intricate and they stress me out. So definitely not mindful. I use the kids ones with large areas to colour better.

Chain smoking?

colouring
i also do my own nails while i watch tv. takes ages but v rewarding.

Slow stitching, you don't have to make anything with it just enoy the process.
This is going to sound really childish but I have a notebook that I stick stickers and interesting bits of paper in, I sort it into colours and spend some time arranging and sticking it down.

It is hard to make suggestions for TV - rather than radio/podcasts - because you need to look at the screen.
The most relaxing thing IN THE WORLD for me is to do textile crafts while listening to a play or an audiobook or some such. But I don't like to do this while watching telly.
The best I can suggest is handling something deeply tactile, perhaps even a fidget spinner or other sensory toy. This is particularly important for me as I am a nail biter in recovery. If I don't take care I will binge eat my nails while watching telly. Sometimes I file/polish my nails a bit as an alternative activity, or rub in some nice hand/nail cream.

EDIT: Do you have a cooperative dog/cat/hamster/etc? One that will tolerate being absentmindedly stroked and ruffled and smooched for hours on end? Or who might be persuaded to keep shoving a ball into your hand for a quick game of fetch?

Any kind of hand stitching. Cross stitch or Blackwork would probably be the simplest & cheapest to start (go into the works or hobbycraft & pick up a wee cross stitch kit for a couple of pounds).
English paper piecing is my go to but needs good light.

i also like to read factual books & take notes while watching TV but that may be a me thing!

sudoku, word search, crosswords?

I play a lot of stupid games on my phone while I'm watching TV to keep my hands busy - Two Dots is a favourite. Or I do stuff that needs doing anyway - fold washing, untangle necklaces, sort through a drawer of stuff, file paperwork, chop things for cooking, do my online food shop, debobble jumpers, shop around for car insurance, do Vinted listings, clean my make-up brushes.... whatever. Means I get the boring jobs done while enjoying myself and means I can concentrate on the TV properly - I struggle to just sit and watch by itself!

I know you said you aren’t into crochet but this is simple and has a purpose for wildlife rescue centres.

craftguild.org.au/2021/03/28/crocheted-nests/

I can't get on well with crochet or knitting but my daughter started making felt Christmas tree decorations and I had ago and find it easy to do whilst watching TV. Google Scandinavian felt tree decorations or free hand embroidery.

@Bristolandlazy just looked them up and they’re lovely! I may order a kit and see how I get on.
Cross stitch also a possibility. I will pop to hobby craft tomorrow. I’d like it to be for a purpose so maybe cross stitch for cards or giving the decorations as a gift. I’m getting carried away now - let’s see how I get on with the first one.

Thanks so much everyone!