I spent 57 hours on Amtrak trains from Montana to New York City and never got bored. Here's how I made the 2,000-mile journey fly by.

I don't require much to stay entertained — I can keep myself busy for hours with a book, journal, or just my thoughts. But as I got closer to leaving on my cross-country train trip earlier this year, the reality began to sink in: I was about to be stuck on a train, with limited access to fresh air or the outside world, for 57 hours.

That's seven business days or roughly 57 episodes of "Succession." Either way, it's a long time to be confined to a 20-square-foot room.

So before boarding my Amtrak train in Whitefish, Montana, I ensured I had everything I needed to keep myself busy. From reading a good book to watching downloaded Netflix shows, here's everything I did to make my three-day trip fly by.

I've been blessed with the ability to fall asleep anywhere, a skill that came in handy while on my three-day trip across the country. When the scenery became mundane, or my eyes got heavy from reading, I'd pull my seats into a bed and settle in for a nap, which I did at least once daily.

The bed, which came with pillows and sheets, was comfortable enough. But having my creature comforts, like the sleep mask and soft blanket, made me feel more like I was at home and less like I was on a foldable bed that innumerable other travelers' butts have been on.

I found that the WiFi on Amtrak's Empire Builder train, which I took from Whitefish to Chicago, wasn't particularly reliable. When the WiFi wasn't working, I used my phone's hotspot to connect to the internet and get work done.

On Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, which I took for the second half of my journey from Chicago to New York, the WiFi worked consistently, meaning I got to work on a few stories — like the one you're reading now.

Because I wasn't sure how stable the internet connection would be on each train, I downloaded several hours' worth of Netflix shows — namely every episode of "Selling Sunset" — before I left.

This was crucial when the WiFi was spotty and got me through most of my journey. I recommend downloading as many episodes and movies as possible before embarking on such a long trip.

As a kid, coloring and drawing were my favorite hobbies. I could spend hours doodling mindlessly, a pastime that's harder to make time for now that I'm an adult with a job. With nowhere else to go and nothing better to do, my train trip seemed like the perfect time to pick it up again.

I brought a coloring book my parents bought me and spent hours scribbling away. I also spent hours reading and found that both activities were made infinitely easier with the help of motion-sickness medication.

I'm prone to getting car sick, so I packed enough medication for the trip. I'm glad I did because it allowed me to pass the time coloring and reading without getting nauseous.

For the first time in what felt like ages, I had nowhere to be except right there in the moment.

I didn't have to do anything or talk to anyone. Though I mingled with passengers and employees in the train's dining cart, I spent much of my time sitting in my room, relishing in the solitude. For nearly 60 hours, I had all the time in the world to do nothing, and I cherished every minute.

In adult life, stepping back and enjoying what's right in front of you is hard. It feels rare to truly take a break, to be alone with your thoughts. I found that spending three days on a train was the perfect time to reconnect with myself and to be truly alone.