Rainy Day Clichés and HSPs

As we settle into Autumn, many of us HSPs enjoy some rainy, cool days where we are invited to cozy up at home! When it rains here in San Diego, most everybody grumbles about getting wet, or how terribly San Diegans drive in the rain, but they also acknowledge, “It’s good for us to get rain.” Rain is a mixed blessing for our environment and lifestyle, but what is less talked about is how weather affects our thoughts, feelings, and activities.

I remember an episode of “The Office” in which the staff members bet on how many “Rainy Day clichés” Phyllis would use in one day. 

Here’s the list of phrases that Phyllis uses on her rainy day:

1. It's raining cats & dogs out there. Holy Moly.

2. Nobody knows how to drive in the rain

3. The roads are actually slickest in the first half hour

4. The plants are going to love this

5. I actually sleep better when its raining

6. This weather makes me want to stay at home curled up with a good book

I am admittedly guilty of using many of these rainy day clichés (and I bet you are too). At one point, Phyllis notices: “I actually sleep better when it’s raining.” Weather, as well as our environment, has a profound effect on our state of mind and mental health. The sensory experience of rain is all-encompassing. We see dark clouds roll in, droplets form on our windows and on plants, and the landscape changes color as it gets saturated with water. We smell wet pavement, the scent of the earth, and wet plant matter. We feel water drip down our bodies, cooling us off. Finally, we hear the calming sound of rain on the roof or the ground, and even perhaps the occasional sound of thunder. For me - and I suspect, for many HSPs - the rain encourages us to be mindfully present in our environments. We return to bodily awareness as we notice and experience the rain falling outside or on our bodies. This can feel really lovely, and return us to a state of connection with our bodies and with the world around us.

Phyllis’s sixth phrase is “This weather makes me want to stay at home curled up with a good book.” I feel you, Phyllis - both my tea and book consumption increase significantly in cold, rainy weather!! As HSPs, we know that our environments can profoundly impact our mood, bodily sensations, and choice of activity. Perhaps you prefer sunny days to rainy, or love cloudy or snowy days. Every person’s preferences are unique, but I do encourage you to notice how the weather impacts your mood, energy levels, and how you spend your time. As a Highly Sensitive Parent, you might also notice how your child(ren) are impacted by different seasons or environmental factors. Can you celebrate the changing seasons with them? Does a change in weather encourage you to try new activities, or return to old favorites?

Whatever “Rainy Day Clichés” resonate with you, I hope you are encouraged to simply notice and be mindful of how you (and your child) are impacted by your environment, and even the weather!

This post is adapted from a blog I wrote for my other website, Inner Nature Therapy. You can view the original here. For more resources and support for Highly Sensitive and Empath parents, visit Highly Sensitive Parenthood’s Resources page.

written by Amy Lajiness, HSP Parent Coach and Educator