Rainy days can feel dark and gloomy. With very little sunshine and a lack of motivation to leave the house, it can be tempting to stay in bed and scroll through social media all day. Fortunately, a rainy day is the perfect time to check in with yourself and your to-do list. Let’s get into it!

How To Be Productive On A Rainy Day

There are plenty of ways you can stay motivated and boost your productivity levels, despite the nasty weather. Here are 15 ways you can make a rainy day more enjoyable and productive.

how to be productive on a rainy day

Try a new recipe.

Is there a recipe you have been wanting to try, but haven’t had the time? Thanks to the rain, you have the time now! Even better if you can find a recipe that uses ingredients you already have. Whether it’s a delicious homemade dinner or a delectable dessert, try something new!

Here are some of my favorite recipes you can give a whirl:

Go through the clothes in your closet.

When was the last time you went through the clothes in your closet? There is a good chance there are some clothes in there that you haven’t worn in quite a while. Why not use this rainy day as a chance to weed out your closet and get rid of items you no longer need to hold on to. Consider selling or donating clothes that don’t fit or that no longer match your style. 

Reorganize your pantry.

Speaking of things you haven’t done in a while, when was the last time you organized your pantry? There might be canned goods or boxes of food that are well past their expiration, lingering in the back of your pantry. Use your extra time on a rainy day to sort through your pantry and get rid of any expired food. And, while you’re at it, consider donating any canned goods that you’re unlikely to use. 

Journal.

Even if you aren’t familiar with the practice of journaling, it’s worth trying. There is no right or wrong way to journal. You can spill your thoughts onto the page by writing everything you’re thinking and feeling. You can doodle or sketch as a way to release pent up emotions. Or, you could even combine scrapbooking and journaling as a creative outlet. However you want to journal, you can journal, you just have to get started. 

Catch up with an old friend.

As we get older and our lives get busier, it becomes harder to keep up with friends and family. Is there a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while? Has a friend reached out to you and you’ve yet to respond? Take some time to catch up with them. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good a friendly conversation can make you feel. 

Schedule appointments or checkups.

Pick up your phone and schedule some appointments. Whether they’re overdue or coming due, there’s no better time than now to schedule them. Go ahead and schedule your next checkup with your doctor and your next dental cleaning with your dentist. Maybe even schedule a hair or nail appointment while you’re at it. 

Enjoy an old hobby. 

Is there an activity you enjoy but haven’t done in a while? Our lives often become so busy that we don’t have as much time as we would like to partake in a hobby. Perhaps you like sewing or sketching. Or maybe you like to do yoga or paint. A rainy day is the perfect time to pick up an old hobby. 

Curl up with a good book. 

There’s nothing like getting lost in the story of a great book, but it’s hard to find the time to do just that. Try setting aside some time during a rainy day to cozy up somewhere with a warm cup of coffee or tea and a good book. You just might be shocked by how time seems to fly by when you’re reading. 

how to be productive on a rainy day

Plan your next vacation.

Did you know that planning a vacation can make you happier? Of course, going on vacation does too, but research actually showed that people who are planning a vacation are happier than people who aren’t, because of the anticipation. 

Consider starting a side hustle. 

Is there a specific skill you have that could be turned into a lucrative side hustle? It turns out, if you turn your hobby into a side hustle, you could earn an extra $8,000 or more per year. Just for doing what you love! Plus, you’ll be partaking in a hobby that you love, which gives you a creative outlet, making you feel happier overall. 

Tackle a DIY project.

Pinterest is full of great DIY projects. From flipping furniture to upcycling candle jars and everything in between. Whether you go big or small, a rainy day is a great time to tackle a DIY project that has been lingering on your to-do list.  

Do a jigsaw puzzle.

Not only are jigsaw puzzles a fun form of quiet entertainment, research has shown that puzzles improve your memory, IQ, and problem-solving abilities. Whether it’s a 100 piece puzzle or a 1000 piece puzzle, challenge yourself by working on one as the rain falls outside. 

Pamper yourself.

Use a rainy day as a chance to pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a beauty mask or DIY facial. Paint your nails. Dye your roots. Soak in a bubble bath. Do whatever makes you feel good, that you wouldn’t ordinarily have time to do. 

Take a nap. 

Remember, we’re talking about being productive, so we don’t mean laying in bed all day. Instead, give yourself some time to relax and recover with a nap. Getting a couple of hours of undisturbed sleep can work wonders to make you feel rejuvenated. Then, you’ll be ready to get to work and get more done. 

Put on your rain boots and raincoat and go dance in the rain!

What better way to enjoy the rain than to dance in it? Take a few minutes away from the tasks at hand and slip into your raincoat, slide on your rain boots, and go play in the rain. It may seem silly, but you’d be surprised to discover just how good it can feel to dance in the rain without a care in the world. Plus, the kiddos will love days like this. 

How to be productive on a rainy day

What are some of your favorite things to do on a rainy day?

What’s your secret to staying productive on a gloomy, rainy day? I would love to hear some of your productivity hacks! For more lifestyle tips, head on over to the blog!