It can be so easy to feel down because of a gloomy day, but there are so many different things that you can do to either relax or make the most out of it!
1. Read a good book
I love reading, but I find it so hard to muster up the motivation to do it while I have so many other things to read for class. However, when it’s raining or snowing outside, it creates a perfect atmosphere to get cozy and open up a book that you’ve been meaning to read. My favorite thing to do is gather all of my blankets, make myself a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and then climb into bed. If you’re wanting to counter the gloomy vibes of the day, you can pick up a fun romance or contemporary. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to get immersed in a whole new world, you can start a new fantasy series. My personal favorite thing to read on a rainy day is “Harry Potter”; the magical feeling I get while reading really lifts my spirits.
2. Start a new show on Netflix
Everyone loves Netflix, and rightfully so. It’s a great way to unwind and relax if you’ve been feeling stressed about schoolwork or life in general. A rainy day is a great time to start a new series and binge a bunch of episodes. There are so many different genres that you can explore based on what you’re feeling. Sitcoms are great if you need a little pick-me-up and want a good laugh. My favorites are “Parks and Recreation” and “New Girl.” If you’re wanting something a little more serious, you can choose a drama. I’m currently binging “Grey’s Anatomy” for the second time, but you could also opt for a crime drama like “NCIS” or “Criminal Minds,” or a romantic or historical drama.
3. Get crafty
Being artsy is another thing I always want to do but never have the motivation to. So, a rainy day is a perfect time to start that project you’ve been meaning to. The best thing about crafting is that there are so many different avenues that you can explore. I love painting, which also has many different kinds of styles and materials that you can use. There is also knitting and crocheting, as well as embroidery, which I have been trying to get into myself. Journaling is another great way to feel creative. If you’re more of a writer, you can answer prompts or write about whatever you’re thinking about, but you can also use a journal to college or capture your life in artistic ways.
4. Get ahead on homework
I know this is not the most exciting activity to do on a gloomy day, but there are many reasons that I think it’s a good option. First of all, we’re all swamped with homework and it feels even worse now that everything’s online. So, it’s always nice to get ahead and relieve some of the stress that comes along with assignments and due dates. Another reason getting ahead on homework is a good option is because sometimes gloomy days are accompanied by laziness, which is not a bad thing, but it can make us feel unproductive. doing at least a little bit of homework can make us feel like we’ve accomplished something.
5. Catch up with friends
Being busy with school and other activities makes it hard enough to squeeze in social time, and social distancing makes it even harder. Having a chill rainy day can be the perfect time to text or FaceTime that one friend you haven’t talked to in a while, or have a group video chat with all of your friends. There are a lot of activities that you can do with your friends virtually. Netflix Party allows you to watch something with other people on Netflix simultaneously, which is great for a movie night. You can also play games online as well. My favorite game to play with friends is Jackbox Games. There are a lot of different games on it and it’s a great way to spend time with friends and keep it exciting!
It can be easy to feel down on a gloomy winter day, but there are so many ways that you can make it feel exciting or productive!