Let’s get a grip and learn how to live with the rain | Emma Beddington
TWe’re complaining a lot about the weather at the moment and I understand, it’s humid. Here in York, the river is once again overflowing its limits and the council has fenced off the park’s large puddles for health and safety reasons, leading to widespread mockery. Things currently leaking include the mailbox (yesterday the postman told me with manic laughter that he was leaving for the Philippines), the chickens, my shoes and our car which is growing moss around the windows. Inside.
But does it deserve all the moaning? I’m not talking about the farmers, for whom this is a disaster, the flood victims or the poor people of Cardinham, North Wyke and Astwood Bank, who have endured 40 consecutive biblical days of rain. They are allowed to tear their clothes and herd their pets into boats, two by two. But maybe the rest of us, just because it’s “pretty wet,” might get the hang of it again. When life gives you rain, make rain (don’t drink rain; it’s full of eternal chemicals)! After all – okay, it’s not the most cheerful idea – it might be as good as it gets in the future, given accelerating climate breakdown. At the very least, these wet periods will likely occur more often, so we need coping strategies. Here are mine.
Romanticize it
Romanticism is commonplace – we are constantly exhorted to bring the energy of the Byronic title character into the most mundane corners of our lives. And it’s easy to romanticize rain: moody skies and whipping droplets are inherently romantic! Lean in – wear something ethereal, slip on some Sigur Rós, and stare enigmatically, like an unreliable narrator in a Netflix mystery miniseries.
Use it as a wellness hack
In 2024, the BBC explained that negative ions created by rain could “help relieve stress and even increase our energy levels,” which sounds like what an influencer holding a small microphone would say about a cleansing juice they’re trying to sell you, but rain is free. Add this to your gratitude journal.
Write a rain song
There are some great rain songs: from Prince, Eurythmics, Garbage, Rihanna… But why not make the weather your muse and compose your own? Rain has some great rhymes – bane, pain, slain, vein, arcane – we’re already halfway through a 70s prog rock epic! Also take a moment to be grateful that it’s not raining men – we’ve had enough.
Be smart
Japanese teru teru bozu dolls are DIY charms traditionally hung outside doors and windows in an attempt to manifest good weather. They look really easy to make – it’s basically white tissue paper tied with red string with a face drawn on it. It can’t hurt, right?
Contemplate the CPE
This is the Carnian pluvial episode, when it rained for two million years. OK, it’s not, but it was a period of significant global warming where it rained a lot. plot. Much more than now. If sauropods managed two million years of CPE, we could probably sustain it for a few more weeks.
Invent a rain ritual
We’ve been trying to ward off bad weather for millennia: one Roman anti-hail ritual involved crucifying an owl (please don’t do that). Less worrying, Japan mizudome-no-mai the anti-rain festival consists of playing conch shells; Balinese rain caps pray, meditate and burn incense. Up to you.
Re-evaluate your rain wardrobe
People say there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. But what does this mean, concretely? Maybe a poncho that makes you look like a slice of watermelon or a giraffe would help? Or maybe it’s time to dance naked in the rain, according to the ’90s dance track Blue Pearl (maybe it’s not).
Treat rain as an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) at will buffet
People love tapping sounds and right now you enjoy unlimited tapping on your windows without targeted ads.
Revolt
Think of water companies discharging raw sewage into waterways (181 alerts as of Monday) because they have not invested in infrastructure to deal with rainfall. Will this prevent them from declaring a drought this summer? Probably not, because they haven’t invested in infrastructure! Then think of Donald Trump who triumphantly returns to American policy on climate change. Think carefully, then take to the streets. Maybe also bring an umbrella.
