Summer is here, and it’s time to embrace the season and make the most of your time outside the office. If you’re a newly single empty-nester like myself, vacations abroad, long-distance travel, or even a road trip might not be feasible. This is where the staycation comes in and makes perfect sense! You can use a staycation to unwind, relax, and enjoy a breather right in your own home. Below I will share some ways to get the most from your staycation and make it feel like a true vacation:
How can I get the most from my staycation?
Staycations offer a chance to recharge and explore your local surroundings. You will also be using your own space as home base.
- Clear the decks: Reduce the likelihood that you will be pulled into handling chores you have been avoiding by making sure to tackle those to-dos before your staycation starts. If you have a college-aged kid or two home for the summer, have them pitch in or pay them to take over the bulk of the chore list.
- Plan ahead: Treat your staycation like a real one by creating an itinerary of activities or outings you would like to experience. Or, if you are more of a homebody like me, make a list of books you would like to read, movies you would like to watch, and local shops or restaurants you would like to visit.
- My number one recommendation for your To Be Read (TBR) pile is the four-book Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. So many rich characters you will not want to be without the next books once you finish the first one.
- Unplug from work: Do your best to trust your team. Disconnect from work email and notifications so you can power down your brain’s work mode and engage the relaxation mode.
- Try something new: If there is a hobby or activity you have wanted to try but just had not found the time to do so, now is the time! Maybe you even have an annual pass or membership to the museum, a zoo, or aquarium–now is the time to visit!
How do I make my staycation feel like the real deal?
The key to success is being creative and doing what you can to make your home feel like an oasis.
- Transform your space: Create a vacation feel by rearranging some furniture, adding some summery accents, and setting up cozy outdoor spaces.
- Explore local cuisine: Treat yourself to delicious meals by trying new recipes or ordering takeout from local restaurants your friends rave about but you have never tried.
- Pamper yourself: Set aside time for self-care. Take a soothing soak in a bath product like Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Bath. You could also indulge in a DIY spa day including a Pedi in a Box.
- Dress the part: No hard pants! Slip into something comfortable like a cute, patterned duster robe that makes you feel a step above your day-to-day black yoga pants.
How can I include my family or friends in my staycation?
I have one college-aged daughter who is home for the summer and my older daughter is in nursing school in a nearby city. When they are both home for an evening, it’s great to spend time together in our backyard.
- Disconnect digitally: We are all so reliant on our phones, but making a pact to limit our screen time and be present in the moment makes a huge difference.
- Create an enviable outdoor space: Invest in an outdoor wood-burning fire pit. There are so many types to choose from, but I love the ones that include features like a removable cooking grill. While you are thinking outdoor and cozy fires, why not include some telescoping marshmallow roasting sticks to make sure s’mores are on the menu.
- Avoid unwanted guests: Nothing ruins a s’more making evening like bugs. Ugh! Rather than hoping for the best, why not add some citronella candles in decorative pots to your patio?
Take Time For You
A staycation can be as rewarding and rejuvenating as a traditional vacation, especially when you take the time to create a vacation-like atmosphere and engage in new experiences. The tips above are a great start, but I’d love to hear your ideas and staycation experiences in the comments!
