How to Go on Vacation
Josh and I are both taking vacation time in August. I need a break, or I’m going to burn out, but it also feels silly to take a lot of time off right now when we’re not going anywhere. Then again, that isn’t going to change any time soon. So I’m taking five days and trying to figure out how to take a vacation without going on vacation.
Because it’s too easy to fall into Saturday habits of going online, which leads into “let me just clean up my email” and finally devolves into “let me just take care of this thing and this thing and this thing.” At the same time, stating that computers are off limits doesn’t feel relaxing. I don’t want more restrictions than I already have.
There are spots along the river that are currently empty if you’re willing to pee in the woods. (I am willing to pee in the woods.) We’re thinking about bringing our beach chairs to the river and reading. It will be hot. And probably buggy. But it will be easy to bail and move somewhere else outside. So that’s in the plans.
I really love the blog A Strong Sense of Place, and they have recommendations for taking a vacation when you can’t go anywhere. They have two rules: you must have anticipation, and you must deliberately savour.
The savouring part will happen in the moment, but I’m trying to plot out my reading list for that week so I can get excited. Making a schedule. Planning fun foods to bring with us. It feels kind of less-than, and, at the same time, I am so looking forward to sleeping in and reading.
I am trying to come up with more on the anticipation front—ways I can get excited about the sort-of vacation. Ideas?
5 comments
Could you come up with outdoor, social distancing friendly activities near by that would change up the feel? We have a local state park that also has horses and kayaks and other things with inexpensive preplanned activities people can do as family groups (STEM hikes, meditations, kayak trips, etc). If my DH didn’t get migraines from being in the sun in the heat, we’d have done some of those things.
Instead, ours consists of movie marathons and puzzles that have been gathering dust.
Are there no outdoor spaces you can visit that would keep you away from people but give you a break from your house, your routine and screens? That’s what I would do if I were in your shoes. I would find a nearby secluded beach, or forest, or similar place and spend at least my daytime hours there.
I understand your need to have a break. It is only sensible, to give yourself some time to recharge, and be able to face the rest of the year. Though it is sad that five days is seen as a vacation in the US – unless you mean five week days, which should turn into nine days with weekends on both sides.
I’d add another thing to the staycation rules – don’t follow your usual routines. Do something completely different – whether that’s sleeping in, or taking early morning rather than late night walks, or maybe just spending a day on the couch with all those wonderful books you’re looking forward to finishing.
One of my fond memories of lazy, low-tech (camping) summer holidays when I was a kid was lazy, TV-less (ie no screens) evenings spent with my family. Playing cards or board games or going on late walks. Do you guys like games (not computer games)? Maybe you could get a new one to enjoy in the evenings after dinner. Whatever you do, it sounds really nice. And I hope you’ll have a lovely, relaxing time.
Invite the extended family to bring their beach chairs and books and come along on the adventure!
You don’t have to make computers off-limits, but you can certainly make work off-limits. That will take willpower, though.
Dh & I have gone for gelato a couple of times now when we need a pick-me-up. It’s one of the few not-really-necessary places we’ll go, and it’s funny how such a little thing can boost the spirits. We usually go on a weekday afternoon (less busy), and wear masks into the shop (they’re required anyway), and we’re only in there a few minutes, just long enough to order, pay & pick up what we want. Then we take it outside to eat. They have tables & chairs outside, but it can be hot out there if it’s sunny. If so, we’ll just stand along the wall or go back to the car. So, maybe a (relatively safe) treat of some sort like that?