THE WORKING GAL
Rainy days have a reputation for being a mood killer, especially when you've been looking forward to weekend plans. But here's the truth: a rainy day at home can be exactly what you need—a permission slip to slow down, get cozy, and focus on yourself.
Whether you're working from home and need background ambiance or you're staring at a gray Saturday wondering what to do, we've got you covered. These 15 rainy day activities range from productive to purely indulgent, ensuring there's something for every mood and energy level.
So grab that cup of tea, light a candle, and let's turn this rainy day into the best kind of stay-at-home experience.
1. Create the Ultimate Movie Marathon
Let's be honest—when was the last time you actually watched that "must-see" movie everyone's been raving about? Rainy days are perfect for settling in with a carefully curated film lineup.
Instead of mindlessly scrolling through streaming services for an hour (we've all been there), create a themed marathon: rom-coms that make you believe in love, powerful biopics about inspirational women, or those comedies that'll make you laugh until your sides hurt.
Make it an experience. Dim the lights, make popcorn, and commit to at least two films. Turn your living room into a personal cinema and fully lean into the cozy vibes.
2. Finally Tackle Your Reading List
How long has your Kindle been gathering digital dust? That stack of books on your nightstand isn't getting any smaller on its own. A rainy weekend is the universe telling you it's time to spend quality time with your books.
Whether you're into fiction that transports you to another world, self-development books that challenge your thinking, or leadership books that elevate your career, rainy days provide the perfect reading atmosphere.
The sound of rain creates natural white noise, candles add ambiance, and that cozy blanket makes the perfect reading nest. Set a goal to finish at least one chapter, but don't be surprised if you end up devouring half the book.
3. Learn Something New Online
Rainy days offer guilt-free time to invest in yourself. Why not use those indoor hours to upgrade your skillset?
Platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning offer thousands of courses on everything from data analytics to watercolor painting. If you're looking to boost your career with free Coursera courses, there's never been a better time to start.
Other learning ideas for rainy days:
- Language learning: Use Duolingo or Babbel to finally learn that language you've been putting off
- Photography skills: Master your iPhone camera settings
- Professional development: Take a course in project management, public speaking, or financial literacy
- Creative pursuits: Learn calligraphy, digital illustration, or video editing
The best part? Most platforms offer free trials or low-cost courses, making self-improvement incredibly accessible.
4. Capture Cozy Aesthetic Photos
Rain creates some of the most beautiful, moody lighting for photography. Those water droplets on your window, the soft gray light filtering through curtains, your perfectly styled coffee and book setup—it's all Instagram gold.
If photography is something you've been wanting to explore as a full-time hobby, rainy days provide the perfect low-pressure environment to practice. You don't need expensive equipment; your smartphone is more than capable of capturing stunning shots.
Rainy day photography ideas:
- Raindrops on windows with blurred city backgrounds
- Cozy flat lays (book + coffee + candle)
- Your home décor in natural rainy-day lighting
- Reflections in puddles (if you venture outside briefly)
- Steam rising from your morning tea
Challenge yourself to take 20 photos, edit 10, and post your favorite 3. You might discover a hidden talent—or at the very least, refresh your Instagram feed.
5. Experiment with New Recipes
When was the last time you actually cooked instead of ordering takeout or throwing together a quick meal? Rainy days practically beg for slow cooking, baking projects, and culinary experimentation.
Head to our Food section for recipes from around the world that'll transform your kitchen into a gourmet experience. Whether you're trying your hand at homemade pasta, baking that sourdough you've been intimidated by, or finally perfecting your grandmother's recipe, cooking can be both therapeutic and delicious.
Rainy day cooking ideas:
- Comfort food classics: Homemade soup, mac and cheese, pot roast
- Baking projects: Cookies, brownies, bread (your home will smell amazing)
- International cuisine: Thai curry, Italian risotto, Mexican tacos
- Meal prep: Use the time to prep healthy meals for the busy week ahead
- Fancy beverages: Perfect your latte art or mix creative mocktails
The rhythm of chopping, stirring, and tasting is meditative, and the reward is a delicious meal you created yourself.
6. Declutter Your Space
We've talked about how important decluttering is, and rainy days remove every excuse for not tackling it. Nobody likes living in a messy home—clutter affects your mental state more than you realize.
Start small to avoid overwhelm. Pick one area: your junk drawer, bathroom cabinet, or that one shelf that's become a dumping ground.
Decluttering projects for rainy days:
- Declutter your fridge and pantry: Toss expired items, organize shelves
- Beauty products: How many half-empty mascaras do you really need?
- Closet audit: Donate clothes you haven't worn in 6+ months
- Digital declutter: Delete old photos, organize files, unsubscribe from emails
- Paperwork: Shred old documents, create a filing system
The Marie Kondo question still holds: Does it spark joy? If not, thank it for its service and let it go. You'll feel lighter by the time the sun comes out.
7. Create a Home Spa Experience
Self-care should be a top priority every week, not just rainy days—but somehow it always gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Well, the rain is your sign: it's spa day.
Transform your bathroom into a sanctuary with candles, calming music, and your favorite products. Make a homemade face mask, draw a luxurious bath, give yourself a manicure, and try that easy homemade foot scrub you've been meaning to make.
Complete home spa routine:
- Start with skincare: Deep cleanse, exfoliate, and apply a face mask
- Hair treatment: Apply a nourishing mask and let it work its magic
- Bath ritual: Add essential oils, Epsom salts, and bubble bath
- Body care: Exfoliate, moisturize, and maybe try some weird beauty hacks you've been curious about
- Nail care: Shape, buff, and paint your nails in a fresh color
- Final relaxation: Gentle stretching, meditation, or simply lying in your robe
Play relaxing music, light candles, and completely unplug. This is your time to nourish your body and mind.
8. Plan Your Dream Vacation
Remember those trips you're always talking about but never actually planning? The ones that stay perpetually in the "someday" category? Rainy days are perfect for turning those dreams into actionable travel plans.
Grab your laptop and coffee, and start researching. Maybe an affordable European destination is exactly what you need, or perhaps a quick getaway to the West Coast would satisfy your wanderlust this fall.
Complete travel planning checklist:
- Choose your destination: Research cities, read travel blogs, watch vlogs
- Create a budget: Flights, accommodation, food, activities, shopping
- Build an itinerary: Must-see attractions, restaurants, hidden gems
- Book accommodations: Compare hotels, Airbnbs, hostels
- Plan activities: Museums, tours, outdoor adventures
- Practical logistics: Passport check, travel insurance, packing list
By organizing your trip on a rainy day, you'll have a fully detailed plan ready. When it's time to actually go, you'll just need to hit "book" rather than scrambling last-minute.
9. Discover New Podcasts
Podcasts are an excellent way to learn, be entertained, and stay informed—all while doing something else simultaneously. Whether you're decluttering your closet, cooking dinner, or just lying on the couch, podcasts provide the perfect rainy day soundtrack.
Podcast genres to explore:
- Career & business: Strategies for climbing the corporate ladder
- Personal development: Mindset shifts, productivity hacks, goal-setting
- True crime: Because we all secretly love a good mystery
- Comedy: Lighthearted conversations that make the day brighter
- Wellness: Mental health, self-care, work-life balance
- Culture & society: Deep dives into current events and social issues
Put on your headphones, press play, and let yourself be informed or entertained while you tackle other rainy day activities. Multitasking has never been more enjoyable.
Check The Working Gal Talks on Spotify
10. Unleash Your Creative Side
When was the last time you did something creative just for the joy of it? Not for work, not for social media, not for anyone else—just for you.
Rainy days are perfect for low-pressure creativity. Write that novel you've been plotting in your head, sketch in a journal, try your hand at watercolors, or write lyrics that capture your current mood.
Creative projects for rainy days:
- Writing: Short stories, poetry, journal entries, blog posts
- Visual art: Drawing, painting, digital illustration, collage
- Crafts: Origami, knitting, scrapbooking, DIY home décor
- Music: Learn an instrument, write songs, create playlists
- Photography editing: Finally organize and edit those vacation photos
The goal isn't perfection—it's expression. Let yourself create something imperfect, messy, and entirely yours.
11. Build Your Professional Skills
Not every rainy day needs to be about relaxation. If you're in a productive mood, use the time to invest in your career growth.
Professional development activities:
- Update your resume and LinkedIn: Refresh your profile with recent accomplishments
- Build your portfolio: Organize work samples, case studies, or creative projects
- Network online: Engage with industry leaders on LinkedIn, join professional groups
- Research your industry: Stay updated on trends, read industry publications
- Practice interview skills: Record yourself answering common questions
- Learn a technical skill: Excel, coding, data analysis, graphic design
Even an hour spent on professional development can pay dividends in your career trajectory. Think of it as building the consistency that leads to long-term success.
12. Organize Your Digital Life
Your physical space might be organized, but what about your digital clutter? Rainy days are ideal for tackling the digital chaos that accumulates over time.
Digital organization tasks:
- Email inbox: Delete, unsubscribe, create folders, archive old messages
- Photos: Delete duplicates, create albums, back up to cloud storage
- Desktop: Organize files into folders, delete what you don't need
- Passwords: Update weak passwords, use a password manager
- Social media: Unfollow accounts that don't serve you, update privacy settings
- Subscriptions: Cancel unused streaming services, apps, or memberships
A clean digital space reduces stress and makes finding what you need infinitely easier.
13. Practice Mindful Movement
Just because it's raining doesn't mean you have to be completely sedentary. Gentle, mindful movement can boost your mood and energy levels.
Indoor movement ideas:
- Yoga: Follow a YouTube class or do your own flow
- Stretching: Release tension from sitting or working
- Dance: Put on your favorite playlist and move however feels good
- Strength training: Bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, dumbbells
- Walking meditation: Pace slowly around your home with intention
The key is movement that feels good, not punishing. Listen to your body and honor what it needs on a rainy day.
14. Connect with Loved Ones
When's the last time you had a real, meaningful conversation with someone you love? Not a quick text—an actual, in-depth catch-up.
Rainy days are perfect for rekindling connections:
- Video call a friend you haven't talked to in months
- Write letters or emails to people who mean something to you
- Play online games with long-distance friends
- Host a virtual hangout: Watch a movie together, have a coffee date
- Reconnect with family: Call your parents, grandparents, or siblings
Human connection matters, and rainy days give you the perfect excuse to prioritize it.
15. Simply Rest and Recharge
And finally—sometimes the best thing to do on a rainy day is absolutely nothing.
We live in a culture that glorifies productivity, but rest is productive. Your body and mind need downtime to recover, process, and rejuvenate.
Permission to rest looks like:
- Napping: Guilt-free, as long as you want
- Lying on the couch: No phone, no TV, just being
- Staring out the window: Watching the rain, letting your mind wander
- Doing nothing: Literally just existing in your cozy space
This isn't laziness—this is necessary self-preservation. You don't need to earn your rest. Rainy days are a gift, and sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply accept that gift.
Is it okay to do nothing on a rainy day?
Absolutely! Rest is just as important as productivity. If your body and mind need a day of simply being—napping, relaxing, staring out the window—that's not only okay, it's necessary. You don't need to justify or earn your rest. Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing at all.
How can I stop feeling guilty about staying inside on a rainy day?
Reframe your perspective: you're not "wasting" the day by staying inside—you're honoring your need for rest, creating cozy memories, and engaging in activities that nourish you. Rainy days are nature's way of giving you permission to slow down. Fighting against it creates more stress than simply embracing it.
The Bottom Line on Rainy Days
Rainy days don't have to be disappointing. With the right mindset and a few ideas up your sleeve, they can become some of your favorite days—a chance to slow down, focus inward, and do the things you never seem to have time for.
Whether you spend your rainy day being productive, creative, restful, or all of the above, the most important thing is that you do what feels right for you in that moment. There's no "correct" way to spend a rainy day.
So next time you wake up to gray skies and the sound of rain tapping on your window, don't groan—smile. You've just been given a gift: time, permission, and the perfect excuse to be exactly where you are.
