10 Things To Do On A Rainy Day

As I mentioned earlier, I am currently enjoying a rainy day at home with tea, a book (or internet connection) and my cat. I have had quite a few of these lately. And while I love the rain to pieces, eventually it becomes difficult to find things to do. So here are my top ten favorite things to do on a rainy day.

1. Make hot tea over the stove. Note: This does not mean heat up some water in the microwave and add a tea bag. This means take the time to boil hot water in a kettle and pour the steaming hot water into an oversized mug. Mmmmm just thinking about this makes me feel warm and cozy.

2. Light winter-scented candles (shameless plug for Bath and Body Works here. I love their "winter" and "fireside" candles) Something about the scent of winter makes that rain far less menacing. Bonus points if you drink the tea while taking in the candle scent and warmth.

3. Go for a walk. Ever heard of "Singing in the Rain"? Of course you have, and there was a reason people love the title song so much. Few things feel quite as good as sloshing through puddles on a wet sidewalk while feeling drops of water kiss your hands and face. It takes you back to nature (which is something we all need every once in a while). It lets you be a kid again (since no one will actually judge you for the mud-stomping, and if they do, who cares?) Benefit: Walking is good for you, and the feeling of coming home to the warmth of your house will feel ten times better than usual.

4. Watch movies from your childhood. In the same way that sloshing through puddles is good for your morale, so is this. Even if it's just looking up your favorite clips from Beauty and the Beast on youtube. This is an almost guaranteed way to lift your spirits.

5. Call a friend who has moved away. We all have someone in our lives we don't talk to enough. Take advantage of the rainy day and play catch up. Even if it's been a long time and you think it will be weird to call. Odds are they'll be happy to hear from you.

6. Paint, draw, or write. Okay, so maybe I'm biased here, but I think rainy days are the best days to get creative. Something about the dark, damp weather tends to bring out the creative genius in all of us. We're just so used to watching TV or hanging out with friends that a lot of the time that genius gets squashed. So take some time to find it.

7. Learn something. You don't have to be in school to increase your knowledge. The internet can teach you anything! Interested in learning a language? Want to catch up on politics or the latest national news? Want to learn how to be a rubix cube master or impress a friend with your random trivia knowledge? Have a hankering to learn all the lyrics to Michael Jackson's songs or brush up on your Klingon? There's probably a website with your  name on it.

8. Get organized. You know all the things you keep saying you'll do one day? Organize the closet, clean out the car, catch up on the bills/mail, make a list of everyone's birthday so you stop forgetting them? You know how you always say you don't have the time? Ta da! Time!

9. Read a book. Wow this is so obvious I'm almost ashamed of putting it on the list. But sometimes the obvious answers are obvious for a reason; because they're good.

10. Go to the airport and people-watch. I love the feeling of sitting with a coffee, a book, and absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to go. I love that feeling 7 times more when I'm in an airport. Airports have such an air of possibility to them. Anything can happen in an airport. You could decide to fly to Vegas or Hawaii in an instant. You can eat delicious food and shop for interesting items. You can see people THRILLED to be home, or so sad to be leaving a loved one. You can witness raw human emotion in a way that is very hard tom find elsewhere. The best part is that most of the time, all this will cost you is the cost of parking, and possibly the hot mocha or latte.

So there you have it folks.

My very first published list for your enjoyment.

Sidenote: Have you ever noticed that top ten lists are so easy to make for items 1-9, but so difficult for item 10? Item 10 is the last chance. Whatever idea isn't selected will never be a part of the list. It's just so much pressure!

Live, Laugh, Love,
Rainy_Violet