Ahhhhh, the fall. We are so happy you’re finally here. Cooler weather, crisp nights, bright-colored leaves on the trees and steamy hot, frothy pumpkin lattes. Well, that’s if you’re not in humid South Florida like we are. But all jokes aside, regardless of where you are located, the fall is the perfect time to plan a staycation for some much needed “me time” to celebrate and take care of you. It’s also a great time to have a little weekend fun with your family and friends without having to go very far. Most people only think of taking a vacation over the summer, or during the holidays and spring break. But, a quick weekend get away, or a day or two of playing hooky from the office, during the fall is a great way to recharge your battery right before the busy holiday season and help bring your stress levels down.
As fun as they are, regular vacations can be stressful. From requesting your time off of work or trying to take a break from running your business, juggling dates with the kids’ school schedule, booking your airfare and lodgings to planning your meals and itinerary, vacation planning is a delicate, costly, and often times anxiety inducing affair. Enter the Staycation: a modern, minimalist approach to vacationing that (the travel averse will love this) doesn’t involve any airfare. You may be thinking a vacation that doesn’t involve any travel is hardly a vacation at all. And you’re partially right, because it’s a staycation and we’re going to show you how to do it right.
LEAVE YOUR HOUSE
Chores don’t exist during a vacation. Therefore, getting you out of your home is the only way to ensure you don’t get sucked into your day to day responsibilities and spend your time folding laundry or reorganizing your junk drawer. Book a weekend at that chic hotel on the other side of town that you would otherwise have zero reason to stay at. If the suburbs are your home base, try trekking to a high end city center you’d normally only visit for a night out? The point is, there are always neighborhoods and districts to explore, and we’d be willing to wager there’s already one on your mind. Go there.
NO WORK, ALL PLAY
This is your staycation, so treat it as you would any other. If you need to say you’re out of the country in your out of office response whether you are taking your staycation on the weekend or during the work week, do it. Turn off your notifications and for the love of all things do not check your inbox. This is your time. Have fun, and please don’t stress about your work stuff. The work will be there when you return.
CONSULT YOUR HOMETOWN TO DO LIST
Because we all have a running list of restaurants we’ve been meaning to try but never have, museums we want to check out, sights we’ve yet to see, stores we’ve yet to stalk and so on. Make your staycation feel like vacation by rounding up a rousing list of fun activities and adventures you’ve never previously had time for. Book a res at the brunch spot you’ve been eyeing, go art gallery hopping, take a paint, sip & wine class, go boating on a lake, try a bike ride, anything that strikes your fancy. Whatever it is, you’ll be exploring something new and unknown, and such is the essence of vacation.
TREAT YOURSELF
It wouldn’t truly be vacation if you weren’t feeling a little bit spendy. And if you’re coming down with a case of buyers’ remorse just reading this, think about this: you’re saving hundreds you would otherwise be spending on airfare. That means you’re afforded a pinch more in funds to be used towards shopping, spa day, eating out, etc. Don’t let it go to waste.
Before we part, here are a few words of wisdom to take with you on what’s sure to be an awesome journey: take lots of pictures, get plenty of sleep, and don’t forget to take your makeup off at the end of the night. With these tips in mind, you’re bound to have a memorable staycation while celebrating you, or spending time with your family and friends. Cheers!
