Have you ever felt drained? Whether it’s socially, emotionally, or mentally — sometimes we’re just in need of some time away or some “me” time. I used to use ALL of my consecutive days off to go somewhere, even if it was just for a weekend. Recently I had a trip planned but I wasn’t ready for those types of travels just yet (stay tuned, it was a fun one) and I still needed some time to myself. I decided to plan my first staycation ever. I made a small list of things I wanted to do and decided to treat it as if I was away. I’ll share them with you in case you need some inspo for your next staycation! 

Stay at a hotel. If you’re looking for a change of scenery even if it’s just for one night, book a stay at a local hotel. When booking a local hotel for a staycation you can look for a cool boutique hotel or even a nearby resort. Use their amenities. Go swimming, use the gym, play pool if they have it, check out the bar or room service. I stayed at NYLO Las Colinas. I tried a new drink, ordered pizza, and roasted s’mores by the fire. My overall favorite part was sitting by the fire on a brisk morning. Give me alllllll the fall vibes. 

Splurge on one new cool experience. Sometimes we only think to try new experiences when we’re away traveling somewhere or if we see it all over Instagram. Look up local things to do in your area. Your location might be someone’s dream destination. I splurged a little and brought myself right to Italy with a gondola ride. When I say it was worth EVERY CENT, I mean it. I truly felt like I was transported internationally. The gondolier even stopped mid way and sang a song. It was one of my favorite experiences. So start looking up that thing you’ve been meaning to do at your dream destination and see if it’s in your area or if there’s a similar experience and book it! 

Treat yourself to a meal at your favorite restaurant or try a new place! I know brunch can be packed on the weekend so try breakfast at your favorite brunch spot on a weekday. I went to The Biscuit Bar on a Tuesday and it was pretty empty. My food was ready before I even sat down, I’m not even kidding. I even tried an apple cider mimosa for the first time and it was perfect for this season (again, all the fall feels.) I also tried a new restaurant for lunch called Flower Child (pictured above) and it was AMAZING. They give you a seat number while you’re waiting in line and they have so many healthy options. They also have drink options but I tried the refreshing kombucha they had on tap.

Try to make your way through your to-do list. it can’t be all fun and games. Adulting is ehhhhh, I know. But when you have a few days off try to make your way through your to-do list even if that means just crossing off a few small things. I knew I didn’t want to go back to my busy day to day schedule with a to-do list I could’ve worked my way through. You’ll feel so much more refreshed when you do what you need to do on your own time rather than having to squeeze tasks in before or after work. 

Do a DIY. If you’ve been following me you know I’ve pretty much been doing DIYs all year. From painting my place, to pressing flowers, to re-doing mirrors. Pick a project you want to do and get to it. I bought a few vases for $5 or less to repaint for decor and repainted a frame for above my bed. Blast music or put on a movie and do a project, you’ll find it relaxing. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, get some rest. Don’t forget why you took some time off for yourself in the first place. Have some screen-less days or lazy days where you lay in bed and binge watch Netflix all day. And set aside enough time to actually feel recharged. I took two whole days to do nothing and I loved every minute of it. 

Keep in mind, all of this can be done on any consecutive days off and on a budget. Whether you just add an additional day to your weekend or take a few days off mid week. Remember to take time for yourself outside of your busy day to day schedules. It’s important to take time to recharge and reevaluate. 

Comment your favorite staycation ideas below. I’d love to hear them!

Safe travels, 

Theknowledgeableother