One of the flip sides of a busy business and a packed calendar is that taking a vacation isn’t always possible. We love what we do and we do try to take mini-breaks every now and then, however, a full-on, two week summer vacation is definitely not on our cards this year.
Does that mean we’re not going to have vacation fun?
Umm, no!
While the idea of a staycation may seem quite ordinary and even, done to death, there is no doubt that it is a fantastic and fun way to make the most of the summer season.
Here are some simple ways to have a relaxing, enjoyable and stress-free staycation this summer:
1. Have a Turn-off Time for Technology
This is first on my list.
Starting today, I’m turning off the ringer on my phone and switching off my laptop every Sunday and everyday at 5 PM. I’m also not working during the day these days since our daughter is home from school, but I do work early in the morning and then, when she naps. She wakes up around 5 PM and that, therefore, is ‘switching off work’ time and ‘switching on fun’ time.
2. Try New Things
Make this summer vacation at home at time for trying out new things. We enrolled our daughter for tennis lessons!! She loves them. I’m planning to start swimming lessons or at least experimenting with cuisine and my DIY beauty routine. Yes, strange combination of activities, but it is my staycation, right?!
The idea is to do something new, something experimental, something fun with no strings attached.
3. Have a Flexible, Fluid Schedule
I’m a schedule freak. Period. If you aren’t like me, lucky you! Your summer days can be naturally lazy and languid. However, if you are like me, you can start by being more relaxed about your schedule. You know, let the kids sleep in late even if you can’t . Have breakfast for dinner or ice-creams every other day. Just go with the flow and let the relaxation seep in.
4. Spend Time Sightseeing at Home
As much as we’d love to visit the local sights and sounds, the heat over here (46 degrees C!!) will positively fry us all. So, we plan on doing our own sightseeing via television and books. Not the same thing, maybe but still good enough to see some place new and hear or read about interesting cuisine.
Other great ways to do a bit of tourist-y stuff at home:
- Have a vacation reading marathon.
- Cook up cuisines from different parts of the world. Experiment, like I said in #2 above.
- Listen to happy, vacation music. Peps you up like nothing else. I know there isn’t a niche labeled ‘vacation’ music. It’s basically music that puts you in a happy, sunny space.
- Have your own holiday film festival. Our daughter’s list includes Sound of Music, Bambi, Cars2, some odd Barbie flick and a few others. We have our own grown-up list as well. So, bring out the popcorn and settle in for some holiday film viewing.
Check out Jessica Fisher’s Summer Survival Guide for some great staycation activity ideas!
5. Get Things Done for You
Finally, since you are saving money on the actual vacation, why not take some of it and indulge yourself?!
Get things done for you that you normally do on your own – housecleaning, cooking, manicures, hair coloring, you know! You don’t have to hire fulltime help to cook or clean, just getting dinner delivered or your house cleaned once a week can also be a big blessing. Or you can have someone who does housecalls for massages or manicures and have them come in once every two weeks. Or you could hire a babysitter for a few hours every week. Bliss!
Will you be enjoying a staycation this summer season? What are your tips to have holiday fun at home when the days are hot and long?
Speaking of summer, the pre-order sale on Summer Sanity Savers for the Work-at-Home Mom ends tonight. I will be sending out pre-order copies tomorrow. So, if you want to enjoy and organized, productive and planned summer as a work-at-home mom, grab your copy today for just $3 and get fun bonuses from me, Plan to Eat and The Busy Hedonist!
Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt
I remember over spring break how much my kids enjoyed being home and having time to play with their friends.
I love the idea of doing a movie afternoon. A Sunday afternoon spent making ice cream sundaes or hand-churned ice cream would be fun, too.
This year, we’re hitting the free historical sites in our area, Philly, as part of my 6 year old’s Flat Stanley project. I’m looking forward to exploring parts of the city I haven’t seen in awhile.
And, thanks for the reminder about ordering your book! I’m catching up after a crazy week.
Barb @ A Life in Balance recently posted..menu plan monday 6.4.12
Hi Barb! Lovely to hear from you. I think its great that you’ll be visiting the historical spots in your area. I’d have loved to do that, but the heat here is killing. Am sure you’ll have a great summer!