Monsoon is here and with it has come a swirl of emotions. From the lazy mornings to the soothing feel of having a cup of tea in the evening; enjoying the cool breeze to getting irritated with wet floors and clothes, the rainy season makes us both joyous and annoyed. There are many things we love and many things we hate about the monsoon but the fact is we can’t live without it. 

This year the Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted 101 percent rain across the country. What this means is that most parts of the country will receive normal to above normal rainfall. You need to start planning to make the most out of this monsoon and there are a lot many ways to do that.

While stepping out might be a luxury, staying at home can also be turned into a retreat (if not a luxury!). You only need to know the ways to do that. Here are a few things that can let you have a pleasant monsoon, from the comfort of your homes. 

Secure the Doorways 

As we mentioned earlier, there are some things about the rainy season that certainly annoy us. The biggest being wet floors, especially near the entrance of your home. The balcony and window areas are also a concern. Keeping water-absorbent door mats near all the entrances - balcony and the main doorway will make sure no one can get in with wet feet. This will keep your floors dry.

You also need to keep a bucket or vase at the entry point. Anyone who comes in should put their umbrellas inside the vase. You can paint an old bucket or vase to make it look more inviting. This will ensure anyone who comes home will notice the dedicated spot dedicated to keeping umbrellas! Once you take care of wet floors, your monsoon will indeed become dearer.

Make Your Home Smell Fresh

The smell of the first rains might be mesmerizing but too much of it can get unnerving. Fungal build-up around wet areas further aggravates the problem. Overall, the humid air can create enough bad odour that needs to be dealt with. You can either purchase perfumed sprays to make your home smell good or use natural substances. Lemon, rosemary, water and vanilla extract can be mixed and kept in a glass jar. You can add the mixture to a spray bottle and spray it occasionally. This homemade recipe will provide a fresh smell and keep your mood happy. 

If you are a romantic kind, you can even use scented candles. These are affordable and easily available at local stores. Lit them up during the evenings or when the bad odour becomes intense. They will instantly transform the smell.

Keep Food in Air-Tight Containers

The cool breeze during monsoon days warrants an obvious lip-smacking food time with your family members. You can make spicy Pokaras, Ghugni, Begun Bhaja, Rolls or Jhalmuri. While Kolkatans love having them throughout the year, there is something special in having these lip-smacking food during the rainy season.

Whether you order food from outside or want to cook yourself, make sure to keep the food only in air-tight containers. Food spoilage is a common problem because of the high moisture during the monsoon. 

To make your dining area and kitchen look appealing, get bright and texture air-tight containers. These will secure your food from moisture and also make your home look better.

Enjoy the Rain

The temperature during the rainy season is slightly lower than in the peak summertime. This makes it a great time to restart and rejuvenate yourself. Pull out the curtains, open the windows and get your chairs near the balcony or windows. Sit with your family members and just enjoy the rain. 

You can watch the flowers blossoming or birds shaking their feathers to release water. Don’t mind if children become curious and start asking questions. They just love exploring. 

If you like reading, this is the perfect time to pick up a novel and start diving into the story that you have been waiting to read. You can even play music and relax during the pleasing weather. There are many fun activities that you can do during the rainy season.

Grow Your Garden

For those who love gardening, the monsoon arrives as a blessing. The rainwater does not contain chemicals, added minerals or salts. This makes rainwater an excellent resource for plants, and you can expect your plants to surprise you with bright colours and better blossoms. It is a good time to make additions to your small garden. You can start growing fruits and vegetables. 

If you don’t have a garden, you can consider starting one. Several species of houseplants can be bought. Fancy and colourful vases can be bought to spice up the decor. A few minutes of gardening can be an excellent stress-buster.

Hang DIY Windchimes

Monsoons have truly become unpredictable. It might be sunny one moment but can get cloudy the very next moment. If you want to be greeted by a pleasant sound every time the winds blow, hang a windchime at your window or balcony. The wind chimes will add a whimsical feel to the monsoon. 

It can be a great exercise for families with children to get them involved in making DIY wind chimes. Many videos on YouTube can help you create a wind chime from spoons, metal pieces or bobs lying around in your home. A similar and even more fun activity could be to make a DIY fountain. These can be made from plastic bottles and can add a charm to your home.