Hello, everyone!
Spring is finally in the air in Virginia, and it’s got me thinking about our next vacation! With blue skies, the first sign of flowers, and warm temperatures outside, it’s getting really hard to focus on my work.
I’m sure many of you can relate, especially when you consider all of last year’s missed travel opportunities and the long months of winter! However, I know that a good number of people are still hesitant to travel–at least until you can get your vaccine. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t take a vacation!
Many people got on board with the staycation idea last year, and it’s still a fantastic option. Especially if you live in a busy area that you’ve never fully been able to explore, why not save some money and vacation right from home?
It’s a great idea–if you can do it right. So for this week’s post, I’m teaming up with Quill to bring you everything you need to know about planning your perfect staycation! Be sure to read their full post here and save & share their graphics at the bottom of this post!
How to Plan the Perfect Staycation
Pick a date and ask off of work.
Like any regular vacation, your staycation has to start with some initial preparation. Figure out a week or a period of days that work well for you to be away from work–ideally with good weather! If you live in a small town, I recommend taking less time off and saving those additional vacation days for later. However, if you live in a big or activity-centric city, take the week to explore as much as possible!
Create a staycation budget.
One of the great perks of a staycation is saving money on hotels, travel, and eating out. If possible, consider pouring all that extra cash into your activities budget for your staycation. And don’t forget to allow yourself a nice allowance to eat out and take a few breaks from cooking! However, avoid taking a free-spirit approach, and be sure you do set a few limits so you don’t regret it later.
Do your research and make a schedule.
Don’t look at your staycation with a “wing it” mentality. If you do, you’ll likely spend every day catching up on household chores or watching Netflix on the couch. There’s a time and place for those, but don’t use your vacation time for them!
Make a list of all the cool stuff your city has to offer and circle your favorite ones. Then, narrow them down by your time and budget constraints. Once you’ve got a good selection, create a schedule of activities, and be sure to include plenty of time for sleeping in, travel, and meals.
Important: Don’t be afraid to break out of your comfort zone and try new things! And if possible, schedule activities that you wouldn’t typically be able to do on a regular weekend, so they feel more special.
Turn your bedroom into an oasis.
Just because you’re not at a hotel doesn’t mean that your bedroom can’t feel like luxury! Set aside a few bucks to transform your bedroom into a cozy retreat. Get some high-thread-count sheets, a crisp white duvet cover, and a few twinkle lights. Your mind will naturally associate these things with vacations, making it easier to relax.
Clean!
Don’t ruin your retreat vibes with a messy house. Set aside an evening before your staycation starts to tidy up and clean your home and maximize that hotel-like atmosphere. Or treat yourself completely and work a housecleaning service into your budget, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Tuck work away.
If you’ve been working from home for the past year, you might have gotten into the bad habit of checking your work emails all the time (guilty!). But this is your vacation–don’t let work interfere! Tuck your work laptop, phone, and project materials into a closet, or somewhere they won’t tempt you to log on “real quick.”
Treat your staycation as if you were in some remote part of the world where work can’t contact you, so you can dedicate your time to full relaxation.
For more staycation information, including 23 unique staycation ideas (including budget-friendly options) and all the benefits of a staycation, be sure to check out Quill’s full article.
If you happen to be a Hampton Road’s resident, you’ll want to check out my Ultimate Guide to Hampton Roads post for the best local activities you can find in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, and beyond!
While you’re here, please take a moment to save and share this post to help all your vacation-deprived friends plan a good staycation! And if you haven’t already signed up for the blog, you can do that below for free!
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Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you visit us again next week for a new adventure. In the meantime, please peruse the rest of my travel articles and stay safe out there!
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