THE ART OF THE STAYCATION
In 2009 the term Staycation was added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary. A combination of the words stay and vacation, they defined it as “a vacation spent at home or nearby.” With travel coming to a halt during the pandemic, staycations were a saving grace for travelers across the world, including myself. I was used to taking a trip whether small or large at least once every three to four months. Unable to board a plane, and stationed in a country 7,000 miles away from my family I began to feel stuck and claustrophobic. So I started to experiment with staycationing. A little over a year later, I now consider myself to be an avid staycationer and I’ve found that there’s definitely a technique to having a successful holistay! Keep reading to see my approach to a successful staycation!
STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR WHY.
We all have our own reasons for needing or wanting to take a trip. Knowing what that reason is prior to traveling gives us the opportunity to tailor our experience to our specific needs. Ask yourself why would going on a staycation be beneficial and what is your intention?
I decided to go on my last staycation because I needed a gratitude refresher. I was getting bored and overwhelmed with my daily routine and things that would normally bring me joy were no longer having the same effect. Taking a staycation allowed me to push the pause button on my day-to-day, recharge my battery and come back refreshed able to once again appreciate the small things.
STEP 2: SELECT YOUR DESTINATION WISELY.
The “stay” in Staycation does not mean you have to stay at home, but you also don’t have to leave home. There is flexibility in the term. The idea is to find a location that offers you vibes, convenience, scenery, food selection, access to activities or whatever it is that you deem important during your time off.
For this particular trip I only had two days to unplug and relax, so I focused on finding a place with upscale lodging that didn’t require extensive travel time. I chose the Wyndham Grand because it was a 10 min Uber ride from my flat, and the luxurious rooms offered a view that could set and maintain the vibe I was looking for.
STEP 3: JUST DO IT.
Once you arrive at your destination, the first thing you should do is revisit your reason for taking this staycation. Write down your intentions, take a few minutes to mediate and feel/establish the energy of a different space. After that in the words of Nike “JUST DO IT. ” Whatever it is that you came to do, do that and do it unhindered.
My “JUST DO IT” moment began with putting on my robe! Robes in hotels symbolize relaxation, so I walked into the room, put my robe on and I was immediately in an unplug mindset. I spent the rest of the weekend reading, resting, and eating!
STEP 4: ASK YOURSELF DO YOU FEEL FULFILLED?
So, I think by now you can see the trend of checking in with your intentions. It might seem repetitive, but if you go on a trip for a reason and the trip ends without getting what you needed, then what was the point? When you stay true to your why, then you’re able to accomplish the goal you initially set out to complete, meaning the trip was worthwhile. That is the last step, asking yourself if you feel fulfilled.
Although things are starting to open back up and vacations no longer have to be on hold, I believe staycations are here to stay! Vacations are a form of self-care and so are staycations. Not to mention they require less funds, less time, and less travel. If you have a staycay coming up, try my approach and let me know how it goes!