Inspiration for indoor days: Lockdown and rainy days in 2021

Every rainy day divides the world into two groups: the happily cosy or puddle-jumping camp, and the moody splash-haters with ruined plans. Heavy downpours can nix doing anything out and about, and though for introverts sheltering at home isn’t a problem, for extroverts it can be purgatory. If grabbing an umbrella and making the rain the destination of the day doesn’t sound like fun, the best thing to do is to embrace the time indoors. Nowadays, most days are “rainy”, whether the weather says so or not, and a lot of time is necessarily being spent housebound. In any case, indoor days can be rescued with a range of at-home activities including playing games or simply reading a book.

Here are five easy ideas to make the most of staying in.

Prepare a special meal

This applies to those who have culinary skills, and of course anyone without who’s feeling adventurous. There are endless resources online for beginner chefs. For those who just can’t face the kitchen, there’s always takeout, and nowadays the range of options is impressive. The rain doesn’t have to ruin the day or night; homebodies can set the mood themselves.

Preparing or ordering a special meal is even better when it’s shared. It’ll be complemented by some soft candles and drinks for a special occasion. When the cooking (or ordering!) is done, it’s time to set the table with thoughtful touches. Scented candles can make the experience even more memorable – just be careful not to overwhelm the food flavours with aromas that are too strong – and a bespoke playlist will add an extra dimension to wash away the rain and any ruined plans.

Pick up a book

Bookworms and dabblers can pick up a book and disappear to another world while it rains. Grab a blanket, put on some snuggly clothes, and curl up on the couch or in bed with a book in hand. No physical books in supply? There are a lot of free eBook resources to download online. It’s a great time to read the backlog of books saved and left in the dust from months back.

A great book engrosses its reader in the power of its words and imagery – any blues induced by the rain will fade right away.

Watch a movie

For those who aren’t fans of reading books, this is a better option to escape. And who doesn’t love movies? Just like a book, a good movie is capable of entertaining and transporting its audience to another world. Netflix’s list of popular movies is a great place to start, and there are movie channels on most TVs to cover any mood.

Movie marathons are even better if there’s some prep in place: popcorn, snacks and drinks should all be nearby, along with a nest built on the couch or in bed to keep viewers cosy for the long haul. It’s even possible to invite friends and neighbours to watch at the same time from their homes with various apps and extensions.

Play games

Staying indoors because of a heavy downpour doesn’t have to be boring or antisocial. There are lots of games that can be played conveniently from the comfort of home. Board games are brilliant in person with two or more people, and there is a range of gaming entertainment to play online with friends old and new.

Common board games to play at home include Monopoly and Scrabble, and without a physical set, it’s easy to download them and start a multiplayer tournament with family or housemates.

Social networking

Enforced indoor days are a great time to connect with people who’ve been out of touch for a long time. Instead of spending the time sulking on the sofa and fuming at the weather, this can be an opportunity to connect with friends and loved ones.

Even better, today there are so many ways to connect, from social media accounts to Houseparty to the old faithful chat on the phone. What better time to make those calls that have been pushed to the bottom of the to-do list?

Pamper party

Though there are a lot of lovely things to do on a rainy day, it’s also okay to stay in bed all day long. The whole idea is to find comfort, and that doesn’t have to be full-on fun. Rainy days present the perfect time for some R and R, and there’s no harm in throwing in a face mask or foot soak to seal the deal.

The editorial unit