I need a distraction

[Naeras]

Do some chess puzzles [http://www.chess.com/tactics]! No, seriously, it's an awesome time-killer. It helps you learn some chess as well, which is a nice side-effect.
Unlimited access to the chess.com-puzzles does require a paid subscription, mind, which I believe is equivalent to a whooping £4 per month. Which is pretty good value for your money considering how many hours you can blow away on these things.

..in fact, playing chess, especially if you want to learn the game properly, is in general a great time-killer.

 

[FalloutJack]

Go to TV Tropes or Cracked.com and just start lookin' up stuff. Pretty soon, you'll realize you forgot to EAT.

 

[Blitsie]

Learn to play an instrument. Then you'll at least have a new talent out of the thing.

I actually came in here just to say this, haha.

TC, I highly recommend getting an electric guitar and Rocksmith 2014, the game makes learning a crapton of fun and there's lots to do, the lessons alone will take you a month or three (maybe more depending on how quickly you learn) to go through and then its onto all the songs and guitarcade games which will practically last you forever. Its a fantastic investment and will leave you feeling quite fulfilled knowing you're actively learning a pretty boss skill while killing zombies and whatnot.

 

[TheEvilCheese]

You own a 3ds and want a timesink?
Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate is certainly one of those.

I would suggest spending time in a load of FTP games, Warframe's pretty entertaining until you hit the wall of nothing left to do but grind mods (For me that was almost 100 hours in).

Grand strategy games are excellent if you're into that sort of thing.

And, this one is going to be a bit odd, but see if you can find any fanfics you enjoy. Most of the stuff on FFnet is utter tripe but there are enough gems there that I've read several million words worth of stories in the last couple of years as a way to pass the time.

 

[Storm Dragon]

Do you like Sci Fi? I've recently started watching a show called Farscape on Netflix and I've been enjoying it quite a bit. It's sort of like Firefly with the whole "ragtag band of misfits flying through space having adventures" thing, but it also has aliens, mysticism, and multiple seasons. I recommend checking it out if it sounds up your alley.

 

[AdrianCeltigar]

I suggest going to an anime database site, and delving deep and coming up with a whole bunch of stuff to watch. The one I use lets you build a giant catalogue of stuff you've seen, want to see, are currently watching etc. One with excellent search tools and recommendations so you can get an idea of what you might like. I specify anime in this case because I'm not aware of another medium that has such a devoted fanbase as to create such extensive databases that make finding titles you're interested in so easy. Watching anime is also cheap, or free.

Go explore the vast reaches of music sites and find a bunch of new artists you like.

Start reading up on some subject you find interesting but haven't learned much about.

Arts, sports, classes. You just need a relatively time-consuming hobby that takes focus right? Any kind of creative process is good for that.

 

[Gamer87]

Watch all of Lost again, then watch Fringe, then play Mass Effect 1-3 with at least 10 different types of characters to see some different outcomes.

 

[Reincarnatedwolfgod]

Do you have huge backlog of games? If the answer is yes then try them one by one until you you no longer have a backlog is distraction. One summer I focused a bit reducing my backlog: a bunch of them I played for about 30 minutes and and others I liked enough to beat.

you also could do something productive or learn a new skill

Wind Waker is nice and tedious (especially the one pre-HD release where you actually had to scrounge up 398 rupees PER MAP and you had to go precisely locate EACH PIECE of the Triforce)

finding them was tedious enough for to quit playing for a months. Although you are flooded(potential pun unintended) with more rupees then you could ever spend in wind waker so I hardly see playing 398 per map as a problem .

 

[Spider RedNight]

finding them was tedious enough for to quit playing for a months. Although you are flooded(potential pun unintended) with more rupees then you could ever spend in wind waker so I hardly see playing 398 per map as a problem .

I was always the poor type in my early games and I always wondered why I never had enough money to spend on stuff that mattered... kind of like how I am today

 

[Protocol95]

Go to TV Tropes or Cracked.com and just start lookin' up stuff. Pretty soon, you'll realize you forgot to EAT.

You monster! He'll be stuck in a never ending cycle of mild interest, opening tabs and browsing pages he's already visited especially once he discovers the history and related entry pages!

But in all seriousness those websites are entertaining and massive time sinks. If you aren't into few already there are some pretty lengthy webcomics and let's plays out there. This site has had a few topics about personal favourites and recommendations so you can probably find at least one which you like.

 

[FalloutJack]

Go to TV Tropes or Cracked.com and just start lookin' up stuff. Pretty soon, you'll realize you forgot to EAT.

You monster! He'll be stuck in a never ending cycle of mild interest, opening tabs and browsing pages he's already visited especially once he discovers the history and related entry pages!

But in all seriousness those websites are entertaining and massive time sinks. If you aren't into few already there are some pretty lengthy webcomics and let's plays out there. This site has had a few topics about personal favourites and recommendations so you can probably find at least one which you like.

They keep missing the part where I explain that I'm evil. Why is this ever a surprise?!

 

[Rattja]

Have you considered programming? There's a surprising amount of free tutorials on YouTube and even websites dedicated to free instruction.

Hm actually no. Tried it some years back, but the lack of youtube and good tutorials made the whole things quite painfull and I gave up on it. Maybe time to take another shot at it?

I always suggest picking up a creative hobby, like a new instrument, or drawing. That's quite literally endless enjoyment and it's incredibly satisfying.

I already draw, and have the piano, but it can only hold my attention for so long before I get bored and my mind starts to drift.

And to all you other people, as far as games are concerned, I have been through most of it, which is part of the problem. I could list them all, but it would take too long. Just keep in mind that if it's "mainstream" (lack of a better word) I have most likely played it. Things like Mass Effect, Final fantasy, Zelda, Monster Hunter, Fallout and so on, including a bunch of indie titles. As stated earlyer, most of them are RPGs, so I would like suggestions outside this genere if possible.

Kinda the same goes for series, as I have already worked my way through the main animes and a whole bunch of random series.

Do you like Sci Fi? I've recently started watching a show called Farscape on Netflix and I've been enjoying it quite a bit. It's sort of like Firefly with the whole "ragtag band of misfits flying through space having adventures" thing, but it also has aliens, mysticism, and multiple seasons. I recommend checking it out if it sounds up your alley.

Love it, but I ran out of good ones. Seen Farscape twice, same with stargate, battlestar, andromeda, Ghost in a shell, fringe, chuck, dr who... eh.. it's a long list, so if you think there is something good out there that I missed I'd love to hear it.

My suggestion is to start reading webcomics. Lots and lots of webcomics. Some of the more popular and older comics have enough of a backlog to keep you busy for months depending on how many pages you read a day.

Any recommendations?

make a webcomic.

You know what, I think I will.

 

[Fijiman]

My suggestion is to start reading webcomics. Lots and lots of webcomics. Some of the more popular and older comics have enough of a backlog to keep you busy for months depending on how many pages you read a day.

Any recommendations?

But of course.

Spoiler

http://www.thezombienation.com/
http://www.nerfnow.com/
http://sailorsun.org/
http://jefbot.com/
http://awkwardzombie.com/
http://collectedcurios.com/
http://www.goblinscomic.org/
http://www.sdamned.com/
http://darkencomic.com/
http://www.weregeek.com/
http://www.widdershinscomic.com/
http://waywardsons.keenspot.com/
http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/
http://romanticallyapocalyptic.com/
http://www.lfgcomic.com/
http://airships.paulgazis.com/001/FlyingCloud001.htm (this one's not exactly a web comic, but I still recommend it)
http://twokinds.keenspot.com/
http://sincomics.com/
http://www.runesparkcomic.com/
http://legendofbill.com/
http://www.accurseddragon.com/
http://thedevilspanties.com/

And that should tide you over for a month or four. Though I should mention that some of these comics I've not been keeping up with for a long while now so I have no real idea how some of them my have changed if at all.

make a webcomic.

You know what, I think I will.

If and when you do make your own web comic I would love a link.