It most certainly has been a wet winter here in Southern California, and at this point, many of us surfers have made our way through all of the “must-watch” shows and movies on Netflix. San Diego is known for its reasonable climate and various options of outdoor activities, so when the clouds roll in and dump copious amounts of water onto the Earth, we don’t exactly know what to do with ourselves. Not only does rain limit us to the realm of the great indoors, but it also seems to cause every San Diegan to forget how to drive. My general advice is to stock up on snacks, stay off the streets, and enjoy a little bit of time under your own roof. Although it sounds like torture for anyone who generally enjoys spending time in nature, being stuck inside isn’t so bad, if you’re creative and well prepared. Of course, there’s plenty of rain-friendly activities to do out in the world, if you dare get onto the I-5, but the following list is specific to the potential ways to pass the time at home, sans Netflix.

1. Home Improvement

This is definitely the most boring item on this list, but potentially the most productive. While yucky weather can give us all a case of the lazies, it does make sense to knock all of those home-related chores off the list. When it’s finally nice and warm again, you’ll be so happy that you already took care of all those monotonous-but-necessary jobs, and can just focus on enjoying the sunshine.

2. Art

Whether or not you consider yourself an artist, creating a fun doodle is always enjoyable. Drawing or painting are great fun, whether you’re alone or with a buddy, and can be a very meditative experience. If you turn on some music, let go of your thoughts, and allow the pen (or paintbrush) to take over, you might not necessarily create a Louvre-worthy piece, but you’ll probably be feeling pretty zen afterward. Plus, if you want a bit of a confidence boost, you could always send a photo to your mom - she’ll tell you it’s the best drawing she’s ever seen.

3. Baking

On a hot summer day, slaving away in the kitchen in front of a preheating oven is the last thing on most people’s minds. However, when the weather is chilly and you’re hanging out in your PJs all day, it is not uncommon to get an urge to channel your inner Gordon Ramsay, and whip up a delicious treat. If your house is not stocked with standard baking materials (mine never is), you can easily find recipes on the web for “healthy” alternatives involving staples like canned beans and bananas. However, this may require scrolling through some random midwesterner’s six page story about making these black bean brownies for his wife’s best friend’s cousin’s birthday, before you get to the actual instructions.

4. Playing games

In the digital age, it’s easy to forget about games that do not require any form of computer. Board games still exist in all their glory, and are a great rainy day activity. Think about Monopoly - if you do it right, you and a couple pals could be occupied for an entire day... and maybe destroy your friendships in the process. In addition to board games, if you have a dog, you have endless fun. Teaching your fur-child a new trick could take hours, but if you’ve got a whole day to kill indoors, you might as well give it a whirl. As a bonus, they’ll have a way shake out their sillies that doesn’t require you to take them for a very wet walk.

5. Online Shopping

As one of my favorite activities whether its raining or not, I highly recommend a little retail therapy the next time you’re hiding out from the weather. The modern convenience of browsing your favorite stores while lounging on the couch is always to be appreciated, and actually has been proven to release endorphins - even if you don’t end up buying anything. While you could treat yourself to some new clothes or accessories, you can also shop for pretty much anything else online, including home necessities, gifts, and even your next meal!

6. Read a Book

Be honest with yourself. When was the last time you read a book? A rainy day at home is the perfect opportunity to sit down with a nice cup of tea and dive into a book. Whether its your all- time favorite series, a memoir you’ve been meaning to read, or that hot new novel your mom keeps bugging you to check out, it’s no secret that getting really into a good book can keep you busy for hours on end.

These are just a few of the activities I’ve been getting into on the days off where going outdoors is not an option, but I feel that they are both satisfying and entertaining. I know that this rainy weather can be a bummer at times, but at least our state is getting some much needed hydration. However, if you can make your way to the mountains, forget everything I’ve listed, grab your snow gear and tire chains, and GO... this season has been absolutely bananas.