Few of us appreciate cold, wind, and rain. But rather than wishing for sunnier days, why not explore some new ways to have fun, get creative, and reap a sense of reward?
There are plenty of rainy-day activities to try, and who knows, perhaps you’ll discover a new hobby you can keep up, whatever the weather. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of 13 things to do on a rainy day that we hope will brighten your mood.
From taking an interior design course to creating an inspiring vision board, we’d love to know if you do any of the activities below, or have any additional ideas to share with us.
Create a recipe book
If you have some of your own recipes (or recipes handed down to you from older relatives) that you love, why not pull them together into a recipe book that you can enjoy and gift to others?
How you decide to organise your recipe book – for example, whether that’s by starter/main/dessert or meat/veg/sweets, is completely up to you. You could fill an entire book or just a few pages with the idea that you or your family can add new recipes to it over the years.
There are several ways you can customise your recipe book, too. Some people prefer a more minimalistic style, while others may want to put extra time and thought into creating a recipe book that looks beautiful. You can also choose to handwrite your book or type and print it.
Take an interior design course
When you’re at home, your attention may turn to the smaller details of your living space – like the peeling wallpaper you’ve been meaning to replace, the empty sideboard that could do with some jazzing up, or the stack of lumpy throw cushions on your sofa that need replacing.
Spending time at home can be far more enjoyable if you’re in a space that brings you as much comfort, enjoyment, and relaxation as possible. So, if you’re looking to breathe some fresh energy into your home and you’re stuck for ideas, you could consider taking an interior design course. Whether you want to learn more about putting together different colour schemes, discover popular styles and trends, or find out how to create a space plan, there’s a course for everyone.
Complete a jigsaw puzzle
Not only are jigsaw puzzles an entertaining way to spend a few hours (or days!), but they’re also great for helping us relax and take breaks from technology while challenging our brains. When solving a jigsaw puzzle, we use both sides of the brain and make connections between them, which improves our ability to learn, understand, and recall things.
Plus, when we successfully place a puzzle piece, our brains release the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine has a positive impact on mood, memory, motivation, motor control, and our ability to focus.
Create an inspiring vision board
It’s easy to become so busy with everyday life that we forget to dream and ask ourselves questions like: what do I want to get out of life? So if the weather is keeping you at home, why not consider creating an inspiring vision board? A vision board is any sort of visual display that can act as a powerful reminder of whatever you want to be, have, or do in your life. It usually includes images, words, and/or quotes that represent your goals.
For example, you might use an image of a beach if you’ve always wanted to live by the sea, or a quote from someone you admire who has achieved something that you’d like to work towards. Vision boards are about hope, personal growth, and remembering what life’s all about. They’ll often grow and evolve as you do, so your vision board might look completely different from one year to the next.
Start a blog
Blogging is a bit like keeping a journal, except it lives online and is usually shared with others. You can share anything in a blog: thoughts, feelings, advice, experiences, or expertise – and it can be personal or professional.
You might choose to keep a day-in-the-life blog where you let people into the ins and outs of your life and allow them to really
get to know you. Or you could keep a blog about something you’re passionate about – such as travel, fashion, baking, or animals – to inspire others. If you’re a business owner, perhaps you could start a blog full of tips on how to set up a business… the list is endless.
Once you know what you want to write about, setting up a blog is pretty simple, and it’s completely up to you how often you create content for it.
Bake something elaborate
As a society that’s always in a rush, it’s easy to prioritise speed and convenience when we’re cooking and baking. But if you’re spending the day at home, why not take the time to bake something elaborate and learn some new skills in the process? If you’re looking for somewhere to start, you could try this Charlotte royale recipe from Mary Berry, this Swedish princess cake from ScandiKitchen, or this rosemary focaccia bread from Gimme Some Oven.
Or, if you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off, why not have a go at making some of the show’s bakes yourself? You can find a whole host of recipes from finalists on The Great British Bake Off’s website – and you could even apply for the show if you’re feeling brave!
Make your own bubble bath and face mask
There are few things better than having a nice hot bubble bath and a pamper session on a blustery day. But toiletries and beauty products can be expensive, and half the time we don’t even know what’s really in them.
So, if you want to save some money, skip the chemicals, and get creative, why not have a go at making your own bubble bath? The only ingredients you’ll need are castile soap, glycerin, distilled water, and essential oils and the process itself is quite straightforward.
Declutter and reorganise your home
Decluttering is a brilliant way to reduce stress by freeing yourself from things you no longer need. As human beings, we’re drawn to order and symmetry. So when our homes feel cluttered, our minds often feel cluttered, too, whether we realise it or not.
Decluttering and reorganising is also an opportunity to rediscover lost treasures and make daily living feel more manageable. After all, having something fall out of a cupboard every time you open it is a sure way to annoy you! Many of us like the idea of decluttering, but putting it into practice and parting with items we’ve grown attached to can be tricky.
If you’re wondering what to do with your clutter when you’re finished, you could consider donating good-quality items to your
local charity shop or even selling them to make some extra cash.
Explore fun things to do online
When you’re in the mood for some light-hearted entertainment, there are no limits to what you can do online. Whether you want to track sharks, check in with gorillas in eastern Congo, paint with flames, or explore the stars, the internet is a great place to turn when you need a distraction or something to make you smile.
For those who’d like to do something fun yet educational online, you could take a virtual museum or art gallery tour. Some of the places you could explore include the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in South Korea and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Work out at home
If the idea of exercising outside isn’t so appealing in the rain, this doesn’t mean that you have to skip your workout altogether. There are plenty of ways to get your blood pumping from the comfort of your home.
For those who love to dance, why not try an online class? There’s a huge range of styles to choose from, including ballet, African dance, and walking dance workouts. There are also plenty of other exercises you can do at home, such as Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, or lifting weights.
Plan a trip
A rainy day makes for the perfect opportunity to sit down and start planning your next adventure, especially if you’ve been itching to get away. The process of discovering and learning about new places can often be exciting in itself. So even if you aren’t sure when or where you want to go yet, there’s nothing to stop you from exploring your options.
Unleash your creativity
Nothing says ‘rainy-day activity’ like getting stuck into some arts and crafts and exploring your creative side. And the list of creative things you can do is endless. From painting and macramé to carpentry and origami – there’s something for everyone.
Learning a new craft is also just the beginning. Once you get to grips with the basics, who knows what kind of exciting projects you could immerse yourself in?
Get lost in a book or TV series
A good story can make for one of the best forms of escapism, and it’s amazing how many hours can fly by when you’re invested in a compelling book or TV series.
If you enjoy reading and need a few new book ideas, we have plenty of articles on our books, literature and writing section that might pique your interest, including 16 crime and mystery books that you won’t be able to put down, 18 of the greatest adventure books, and 15 inspiring self-development books.
For those who’d rather become engrossed in a good series, some of the most talked-about ones at the moment that you might like to try include Black Doves (Netflix), Bad Sisters (Apple TV+), and Man on the Inside (Netflix).
Final thoughts…
When it’s gloomy outside, it’s only natural that this might affect our mood – especially if we have to cancel plans. But there are plenty of things we can do to lift our spirits and fight cabin fever.
As a society, we’ve generally been led to believe that days spent at home due to bad weather are a negative thing. But in today’s fast-paced world, it can also encourage us to slow down and take some well-needed respite.
(Article source: Rest Less)
