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Let’s face it, this summer has been weird. Normally this is the time of year when we would be taking vacations, but most of us are stuck at home. My family and I were bummed when we realized we had to cancel our vacation. After being in lock-down, we were itching to get out of the house, so I developed a plan to make a memorable staycation. Here are four tips I used to make the most of our staycation.
Unplug
First and foremost – unplug. This should go without saying, but I know how easy it can be to check emails even when you are miles and miles away on vacation. It will be doubly tempting when you are on vacation, but close to home. Make a vow to yourself that you are going to unplug during your staycation. If you must check-in, designate one or two times a day that you get in touch, and then don’t worry about it for the rest of the day.
Plan Your Perfect Day
What is your perfect day? My perfect day would be sleeping in, eating brunch at a quaint restaurant that has excellent coffee, followed by browsing small shops, taking a walk in a nice park, eating dinner somewhere unique, and ending the day by watching a movie in my PJs. If I were on vacation anywhere, that is how I would spend at least one of my days, so I looked for a cool town within a reasonable driving distance and planned my perfect day there. It matters more that you are doing what you love, rather than where you are doing it. Let each person in your family plan their perfect day during your memorable staycation and you are sure to make some great memories.
Think Adjacent
You may be thinking, “but my perfect day looks like getting up and going to the beach, reading a book all day by the ocean, followed by seafood for dinner.” If you are like me and don’t live anywhere near a beach – your perfect day seems impossible. Instead of the beach, start thinking adjacent. What could you do that is similar to the beach, but within reasonable driving distance? Maybe there is a lake close by or maybe you have a family friend with a pool? Follow your day on the water by trying out a new seafood restaurant or maybe make your own seafood boil. It won’t be the same, but it will still be relaxing and a break from routine.
Create the Atmosphere
The road trip is part of the adventure when it comes to vacations. I have certain road trip snacks that I will only eat while on long car rides. Think about that snack you grab in the gas station in the middle of your trip. While you are driving to the next stop on your staycation, eat and enjoy it. My dad always blared Jimmy Buffett on the way to the beach. It was annoying, but it also made our trip special. What would be on your vacation playlist? Make a staycation playlist and blare it as you drive from place to place. Don’t forget the road trip games! Regardless of how long you are in the car, play one. Your kids will love it!
Making the most of your staycation isn’t difficult. You only need to do what you love, with the people you love! That’s what you really need to make a memorable staycation.
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I really need an UNPLUG staycation. That sounds lovely. I hate being soooo plugged in sometimes.
I am dreaming of an unplugged staycation!! That would be amazing.
I hate that unplugging is so hard for me sometimes. I love taking a trip up to my parents lake house in WI because they don’t have a good internet signal there. It forces me to actually relax and enjoy the moments!
The unplugging part would be hardest for me for sure! It would be necessary, but hard!
Well right now, it is indeed a movie watching week in my pjs. Next week I will be delving into books. So even if it is an unwanted vacation now, I am trying to make it a hopeful staycation at our most charmed stay. Home. But soon the break from this break will also be needed. ☺
A staycation sounds most desirable after reading your tips. I would love to sit by the pool and read my newest book.
Unplugging is so difficult. Technology and social media touch every part of our lives and keep us connected. But, we all need to reset sometime.
Thanks for sharing this I really want unplugged staycation. And I am waiting for the time when this pandemic is over.
From all your points, I think creating the atmosphere really stands out to me. Thanks for the tips.
We don’t stay unplugged since we use phones for photos. But we still have a good time! We’ve gone to some local spots and had a blast.
Definitely disconnecting from the world and staying in a place to enjoy its atmospheres and vibrations is my definition of vacation.
After all this covid-19 gets over and I get to get back from my home I really need a unplugged staycation with my guy. It actually helps..
I need a staycation…. I think I’d probably do a lot of re-organizing and purging of things in my house.
I will be doing quite a few road trips this summer, in my own country. I am looking forward to them, staycations can be as nice as trips abroad if you approach them with the same enthusiasm.
I definitely can’t unplug right now but I am planning a trip to the mountains with my kids. We are excited to be going anywhere after all these months.
Unplugging is the first thing I do. These are all amazing tips. I can’t wait to go on my next staycation, I need it.
My staycation was filled with work! Now I try to go out as much as possible, hope that the pandemic situation won’t get worse here in Poland. 🙂
Great tips for a staycation! I have a list of ice cream places I am dying to try, I want to knock those out this month!
These tips are surely helpful! Glad you shared this with us, thank you!
Nice tips! Staycations are usually short so making the most out of your sked will be great!
I agree that this summer is definitely shaping up differently to how I was expecting it to be but a staycation is a good idea. It definitely is important to unplug.
I would love to have a staycation right now, anything to get out of the house after being lockdown for 3 months!
This article is perfectly timed! I had to cancel two trips abroad since the lockdown started and self-isolation is starting to wear on my last nerve. I have a staycation planned for the end of this month and will definitely use your tips to make it more memorable.
Staycations are always fun to do, I try and do camping close to home when I can so i can get outside and enjoy the weather.
I have never been to a staycation but would love to go one day. Ps thanks for such interesting info
Unplugging is so hard to do when you are at home.
I love the advise of creating my atmosphere. It is very important that we surround ourselves with inspiration, motivation, beauty, and peace. Life is not a walk in the park.
Unplugging is for sure a must whether you’re doing a staycation or away from home on an actual vacation. It’s better to be able to have time to yourself or whoever you’re with instead of focusing on work or social media.
As someone who runs her own business, it’s almost impossible to completely unplug. However, as you suggested, I have learned that designating specific times to check in allows me to still stay on top of what is going on without sacrificing that feeling of being free from the stresses of work while on vacation. I am getting ready right now to head off on a camping trip this weekend and have already discussed my ‘work times’ with my husband so that he can hold me accountable for it.
My family loves to take staycations, and unplugging is always important. Thanks for the tips!
Now I am wishing we could do staycation now. We can only do a staycation at home and I think I can also unplug… for a day, why not? Thanks for the tips.
I have always been baffled by the concept of staycation but you have made some great points in favour of it! I will give it a shot soon.
Planning for vacation and then within each day truly add to the memories and the effect each staycation can have on us.