Staycation all I ever wanted
Staycation not gonna get away…
The word “staycation” originally described exploring one’s home country. Maybe that makes sense if you live in Belgium, but for Americans, we have a lot of options! For a Floridian, going to visit L.A. or the Grand Canyon definitely wouldn’t involve much staying.
Nowadays, “staycation” is a bit of a different concept, and the definition is flexible. Some consider it a chance to explore their own city as tourists, opting to stay in a nice hotel and take in the area’s attractions. For others, staycationing means actually having some time off at home.
If you aren’t sure if a staycation is for you, consider the following:
- You’ll save hundreds of dollars on gas/plane tickets.
- Your pets won’t be sad.
- Your bed is by far the best bed.
Sold?
So… where do you start?
Have a purpose and stick to it!
Are you taking time off because you need to relax or because you otherwise can’t find time to finish your landscaping? Having a solid purpose (and sticking to it) will make you feel like the decision was well worth it. If you really need to relax, it can be hard to truly do that at home with all the chores and unfinished tasks begging for your attention. Similarly, if you take a week off to redo your bathroom and end up binge watching four seasons of Stranger Things, you may not be too happy with yourself when the week is over.
Don’t get caught up with work
One downside to a staycation is it may be harder to actually disconnect from your work life. You catch a glimpse of an email, and before you know it, you’re typing away. If you’re taking time off work, treat it like you were going on safari. Set that auto-reply out-of-office message and actually take a break!
Make an effort to branch out
Chances are, wherever you live, your town has something cool to do that you’ve never done before. Check out your local art museum, go for a nearby hike, book a spa day, or even rent an AirBnb if it’s in your budget!
Treat the time as special even though it is inexpensive
It’s sometimes easier to really appreciate something if it costs a lot. It would be really special to fly to New York ($250-$400), spend two nights in a hotel ($300 minimum), have dinner at Tavern on the Green ($100 per person), and go see Hamilton on Broadway ($200 each). Or… you could order takeout from a new local restaurant ($35), get into your comfiest pajamas ($0), and watch Hamilton on Disney+ ($7.99/month), but pretend like you’re spending hundreds of dollars for the evening. All that matters is that you have a nice time and don’t wreck your budget.
Make it a date!
If you’re in a couple and plan a staycation for two, make sure to build in a variety of activities to do together. Sleep in, explore your own city, and go on some dates, just like you would if you were somewhere else.
Here are more tips for creating the ideal staycation.
Whatever you decide to do, do it with intention. Enjoy your time off!