Autumn is in full swing which unfortunately brings wet weather, rainy days do really suck. However, rainy days can be fun and productive from inside your home. I like to think a rainy day gives me addition time to do productive things at home.
Seeing the bad weather you want to bury yourself in your duvet and get super cozy. Much like the weather for me today unfortunately. I had to venture out to run some errands, but when I got home it was comfy clothes time and got productive despite the weather.
Obviously going further into Autumn rainy days will be more frequent. So, I am learning how I can be productive on those days. So, whether it is a weekday or a weekend, you can tackle those tasks you may have been putting off!
Here are 17 ways you can be productive on a rainy day:
1. Read a book
Sit down get cozy and read a book on a rainy day. When you read a book it gives you immediate gratification. However, reading can also reduce stress levels, increase feelings or empathy, makes you more open-minded and creative. You may think is this productive? But for your mental health it really is. Need some inspiration? Check out these creepy book recommendations.
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2. Do a social media cleanse
Increased social media use has been linked to anxiety and depression. You don’t need that any day, let alone a damp and dreary one. Rather than spending your time mindlessly scrolling on social media, use your time to declutter your feeds. Remove the people you don’t want to have on your feed. Deciding to unfollow accounts that cause you negative feelings is so beneficial for your mental health. This will stop the negative feelings and content entering your life, you want to see positive accounts, encouraging, inspiring and motivating you.
3. De-clutter your wardrobe
Do you have a full wardrobe or over-flowing draws? Well, a rainy day gives you the perfect opportunity to weed out any unwanted items or any pieces that need to be recycled. Then you can organise all your clothes, I like to organise my clothes by type of garment, it makes finding an outfit so much easier.
4. Complete a puzzle
If you don’t have anybody to play a board game with why not try a puzzle? Puzzles cannot only provide you with hours of entertainment, but studies have shown that they can also improve memory, IQ and problem-solving skills. As well as having mood-boosting abilities, which is good on a dark day.
5. Take on a DIY project
Have you got a shelf you have been meaning to put up? Or you have a room that needs painting? Use the rainy day to tackle those tasks you have been putting off or can’t seem to find time for. You will feel accomplished for checking these tasks of your to-do list.
6. Pamper yourself
What makes you feel pampered? Is it a face mask, a foot mask or even just staying in the bed or on the sofa? Maybe a bubble bath with your favourite playlist? You do whatever makes you feel good! A rainy day is the perfect time to treat yourself. It was rainy today, so I did a clay face mask and a foot mask. I felt so relaxed and pampered!
Read: The ultimate list of 75 self-care ideas
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7. Get you finances in order
Are you still paying for subscriptions you keep forgetting to cancel? Or are you wanting to check in with your finances to try and save money? Take some time to sort out your finances especially with the rising of energy bills in the UK, work out your incoming, outgoing and a savings strategy.
8. Clean and organise your fridge and freezer
Your fridge and freezer can sometimes be the last one on the list when it comes to cleaning. But, use a gloomy day to de-clutter your fridge, check the use-by dates on your sauces and other products. Then clean all the compartments in your fridge. You can do the same for your freezer.
9. De-clutter your phone
When it is dark and gloomy outside, it feels nice just to sit under your duvet or a blanket and stay warm. You can do that and still be productive by taking to de-cluttering your phone. Our phones can get cluttered with photos, social media DMs, unused apps, app notifications, contacts you no longer need and music that you no longer listen to. Check out how you can organise your phone.
10. Work on a side hustle
You can use a rainy afternoon to start or work on an existing side hustle. Start a blog or start a small business from your skills for example, a jewellery business or offer your copywriting services. Learn how you can earn money from your blog.
11. Try a new recipe
Whether you want to try a new recipe for dinner or you want to make a new cookie recipe, do it on a rainy day. The smell of yummy food filling your home and making you feel happy and smile. It is even better when it is miserable outside that your home is cozy, filled with wonderful smells and you develop your cooking skills.
12. Clean
Life can get so hectic trying to balance all of your responsibilities, so sometimes cleaning can be the last thing on your agenda. Although, a rainy day can give you that much needed time to get your home clean and to do the laundry. You also get the added satisfaction when you have completed it all.
13. Catch up on your correspondence
Catch up with any unread emails, letters and paperwork ensuring it is all filed away correctly. Or take sometime to write a relative or friend a letter checking in and just making sure they are well. I love sending hand-written letters to family and friends, I think it is super personal and shows a lot of effort.
14. Journal
If the gloomy weather has you feeling pensive, take to writing down your thoughts in a journal. Experts say that practising journaling reduces stress and anxiety, but in addition enables you to slow down and prioritise self-reflection.
You don’t need to feel any pressure to write anything profound, just let your thoughts come through on paper. Or you could even take the opportunity to create a bucket list.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
15. Batch cook
Do you have a busy life and struggle to make meals at the end of the day? Why not try batch cooking your meals for the next week or so? Whether the batch cooking is for lunches or dinners, it can make meal times hassle free. Even pop them in the freezer to keep the food from spoiling.
16. Start a new hobby
Is there a hobby you have always wanted to try? Sewing, crocheting, painting or even paper crafts? Whatever it is give it a try!
17. Re-organize something
Do you have a cluttered desk? A random dumping draw? Or want to organize a particular room? A de-cluttered and organized space can make you feel relaxed, more productive, calmer and more organized in general.
A gloomy rainy day doesn’t have to be a wasted day of feeling glum. You can use that day to be productive, gets tasks done and work on your physical or mental health. These are 17 ways to be productive on a rainy day but, there are so many other tasks you could do including:
- Reflect and plan ahead
- Book your next trip or holiday
- Exercise
- Pick up an old hobby
- Make a savings goal and plan
- Make new goals
- Book needed appointments eg. doctors appointment
- Make cards or gifts
- Take a nap
I hope this list helps you to be more productive on the next rainy day you have.
What is one productive thing you like to do on a rainy day? I’d love to hear in the comments.
I have just had a new kitchen and am using the rainy days to clear out and recycle things where I can. Great suggestions.
Oh wow! That’s awesome! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love the fact you have a mix of domestic chores and fun things to do. I love jigsaw puzzles, so puzzles it would be for me
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Love these tips, especially things like batch cooking! It can be so therapeutic and smelling things we like is a mood booster too!
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Days like this are so good for having a declutter and a deep clean. That’s what I tend to do if I’m not working and it’s too rubbish to go outside!
They definitely are. Thank you for reading and commenting Jenny. X
I love doing stuff I’ve been putting down during rainy 🌧 days. Especially the creative stuffs..
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Great things to do and I used to love doing the DIY crafts and want to go back to it. I will keep these in mind to try them. Thank you for reading!
That’s great you have things you can do on a rainy day. Thank you for reading and commenting.
i only love rainy days when i an staying and home and have a time to read, because i love reading and rain combo hahaha! also, i love to organise my phone, so I’ll definitely use the next rainy days to do that!
p.s. i just posted my first blog post, so if you haven’t already, it would mean a world to me if you check it out!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
On a rainy days, I love to listen to romantic songs, read a book, bake something. I am always on the move as a dancer, so rainy day is a welcome change to rest and enjoy the stillness all around.
They sound like good ideas also. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Rainy days are sometimes the best days to exhale, de-stress, and re-calibrate. These tips are great! I hope people read and use them. I know I will!
Definitely. Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope this list gives you some ideas for your next rainy day.
I like the ideas you have shared, for me, I use the time like this to plan for new tasks or what I would like to do in future.
That’s great! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I do a lot of productive things on rainy days, but recently, I’m trying to adopt the blogging habit into my time and space.
Reading more blogs, writing and editing my blog, styling my blog, etc…
That is great. I hope you manage to continue the blogging habit. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Cleaning up my phone and filing is my boring but necessary one. This is a comprehensive list, thanks!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Love this! I’m currently sick at home and it’s been raining. Normally I like to be out in the forest when it’s like this, but there’s a lot of nice cozy things one can do when it’s raining, too. 🙂
Hi. I like to paint with watercolour on a rainy day. I really like your idea of keeping a journal. I’m going to buy one and get started 😊
I definitely recommend checking out the journals I have reviewed on my blog as they are super affordable too. Thank you for reading and commenting.
De cluttering is something I think I’ll do on the next rainy day in! De cluttering my phone is a great way to improve mental health! Also my wardrobe needs the same treatment!xxx
I hope you get to do those tasks on your next rainy day. Xxx
Usually when it a rainy day I mostly spend my day napping (and catching up with corresponce).
I’m pretty excited for a week of full of rain so I can find the perfect excuse to take a small rest.
Michelle| http://www.brokebutflawless.com
I hope you have some productive rainy days ahead. Thank you for reading and commenting.
What a fabulous list! There truly is nothing like a gloomy day to get me thinking about what I can get done inside. I love cleaning, organizing, or just relaxing with an episode of my favorite show. 🙂
It sounds like you have some great ideas on a rainy day. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great suggestions Lauren! I love listening to music or an audiobook while I’m cleaning to pass the time a well.
I listen to music too when I am cleaning because it motivates me. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Love these tips! I recently purchased two motivational books and am currently watching The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 😀 The perfect combo to be productive on a rainy day x
That sounds great. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Lovely ideas here. As a family, on a rainy day, we will sometimes come together to watch a film whilst drinking hot chocolate
That sounds lovely. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Hi Lauren! I enjoy picking a room to re-organize. I recently did this in our family room by moving some chairs around and it is now much more spacious. Thought I would love to have the expert eye of an interior designer, this will have to do for now. 🙂
That sounds great that you have more space. Definitely look on Pinterest for interior ideas! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Wonderful tips Lauren! It’s already snowing in Canada and reading has helped a lot with being productive during the gloomy weather. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be using some of these tips this week!
Oh gosh really? Not sure if we will get any snow in Bournemouth we usually miss out on it. Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad this post have given you some ideas for this week x
These are some awesome rainy day activities. Playing games or sleeping are 2 of my rainy day activities. For some reason, rain always makes me hungry, so making a quick meal or snack is often the center of all activities. Nothing is more relaxing watching and listening to the rain drops.
That sounds great! I love being all cosy inside listening to the rain. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Love all of these, and completely agree with each! Puzzles are something I’ve got into recently – a really nice, mindful activity for a rainy day. Thanks for sharing!
That’s great! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Tons of great advice here! Instead, I’ve just sat in bed the last few days and played video games. But there is so much I could do – it’s just getting the motivation at the moment to look after myself.
No but that is productive. Self care and relaxing, taking time out is productive for your health. Thank you for reading and commenting.
These are some great tips for rainy days. Decluttering and cleaning projects you have wanted and needed to accomplish are wonderful to implement on these days for sure. Also getting extra rest and taking a bubble bath sound awesome too. Thank you for sharing this post. 🤗
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
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As the weather starts to get like this it’s nice to have a list like this!! Great suggestions here I especially love the decluttering part (because let’s be honest, it’s always a good idea!) and the self care part. I need to take a ‘me’ rainy day and do this soon. Thanks!
Definitely make time for yourself it is so important. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I usually really enjoy rainy days exactly because I get to do activities like this; they are a great way to slow down and enjoy spending time on things like reading, batch cooking, etc. Great idea — they make me look forward to the next rainy day!
These are some really great things to do on a rainy day. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I really have to declutter my house since my boyfriend is moving in, but I haven’t found the motivation to do so 🙈 decluttering is definitely on my list though!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love to read books and do crafts on rainy days, especially with a lovely smelling candle too! x
That sounds like a lovely relaxing day! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Rainy days are always a good opportunity to have a good declutter and organisation! I like to read a book on rainy days too x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
That’s good you already know what to do when you have a rain day! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love all these ideas on how to be productive on a rainy day! It’s usually so tempting to just be lazy, but sometimes I need the motivation to be productive too!
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you enjoyed this post.
I love having a good clear out of these sorts of days, especially having my six year old. He sometimes helps which can be challenging but he loves clearing out his toys he no longer plays with to see how much mummy can sell them for 😆
Aww that is sweet. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love listening to music while doing the house hold chores during rainy days. Plus reading a book while having a cup of coffee.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you have found rainy days helpful. Can you link your blog so I can have a read?
These are great productive things to do on a rainy day! I do enjoy reading a book on a rainy day & also having a pamper day.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
This sounds boring but on rainy days I often turn to cleaning since I can’t get outside. Thanks for the other ideas!
There are other things you can do on a rainy day. That are productive but still fun too. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great suggestions, Lauren. Lots of rainy days here in the UK to make the most of!! 😂
Caz xx
Definitely. Thank you for reading and commenting.