The silly season has come and gone (is it really gone though?) so the way your bank account is set up…it might not be feasible for you to run off to Jamaica and get your groove back, Stella. So for those of you who haven’t had the chance to jet off to a tropical paradise last December, why not stay home this January (over a weekend if you’ve gone back to work) instead of looking for your nearest local getaway. No, I don’t mean hibernate, I mean have a Staycation.
_-_staycation.jpg)
These are a wonderful way to escape from everyday life without the hassle of travel or the expenses that go along with a traditional vacation. With just a little bit of advance planning, a change in routine, and an open mind, time off in your hometown can feel just as novel and carefree as a normal vacation.
Here are a few things to consider when planning your staycation:
Budget
No one is asking you to turn yourself into Suzie Orman this January but one of the main motivations for taking a staycation is to save money, right? That doesn’t mean that you should sit at home all day and night and miss out on all the fun. Making a budget ahead of time can help you figure out how often you will be able to eat out, what kinds of little luxuries you can treat yourself to, and what types of activities you should consider. If you’re on the tightest of budgets, it might be more practical to prepare food at home and find some free activities and really now, who doesn’t love a freebie? Staying on track with your budget will keep you on the straight and narrow for the remainder of your staycation.
Make all necessary work preparations
Be sure that you formally request time off from work. If you request the days off in advance, you won’t be tempted to take work calls or answer work emails during your staycation, and it will help you escape. Set up an “away from the office” automated email response, just as you would for a normal vacation.
Clean
Having to take care of chores on your time off is the fastest way to ruin the “vacation” feel. Before you start your staycation, sweep the floors, mop, and do laundry. Clean your home as you would if you were leaving for a week. You should definitely change your bedding, since nothing feels as good as a nice, clean bed. Cutting out all chores, like cleaning the kitchen, may be unrealistic, but keeping your tasks to a minimum will help the staycation feel like an actual break. PAUSE: Don’t be that person who thinks that it would be best to tackle long-term projects like home improvement tasks, unless this is honestly how you unwind. Honestly though? Is this how you unwind? There’s nothing worse than being frustrated or exhausted on your time off, and it’s an even worse feeling to return to work feeling like you need another vacation.
Get Creative
Chances are there are dozens of fun things to do in your city or hometown that you either never have time for, or don’t even think about because they are so close by. Research your town as if you were visiting a new place. Are there any parks, museums, concerts, plays, restaurants, etc., that you’d like to try? This is your chance to do all those things that you’ve been meaning to but that you’ve never had the chance to try.
Splurge a bit
This is the time to treat yourself nicely, so you should build a few luxuries into your vacation. If you have the money, schedule a massage or get a pedicure. Think about what makes you the most relaxed and the happiest on vacation. If it’s the chance to take a long bath, consider splurging on some new fluffy towels – Cape Town citizens… maybe not you guys. We’re all about saving water. If it’s the chance to shop, set aside some money for a treat. Even if you are on the tightest of budgets, you should still throw in a few little luxuries; buy yourself a new soap, some nice tea, or fresh flowers. While you may not be able to fully indulge your desires, you should still plan on treating yourself a little bit nicer than you normally would.
Relax and Enjoy
For most people, the hardest part of trying to “relax” at home is letting go of the all the everyday obligations and distractions that bombard us in our own homes. But the key to having the best Staycation ever, is to do with the activities you choose, but with your own attitude and commitment to making your week a time of fun and relaxation. Laugh, tweet, do it for the ‘gram- create memories that you will cherish for a long time. This is your time…..make the most of it!
