As per my last article talking about alternatives to retirement, last week I took a week off.
To be honest, it feels more difficult and unnatural for me to take time off. I’m someone who likes to stay busy, have a routine, and check things off my to-do list. But what I’ve learned for myself is that discipline isn’t just being able to do the things I want to do, it’s also doing the things I need to do but have a hard time doing, like resting.
For me, scheduled rest is a spiritual discipline.
The problem with rest for me is the lack of structure and expectation. I don’t know what to do with myself, and because of that, I end up resorting to mindless binge watching of tv shows or scrolling my phone for hours watching short reel after reel. After that I feel more drained than I do restored.
If you’re anything like me and you thrive on days that have some structure and expectations,
Figuring out what to do on your staycation is a lesson in getting to know yourself better
I’d ask yourself the first question-
What are your three favorite activities of all time?
I ask this to all my friends! I also asked this of myself. Of all the people I’ve asked, no two people have said the same thing. Here are my top three things in order
- Getting massages
- Eating out with friends
- Watching a romantic comedy or drama
Because I knew this about myself, I made it a top priority to schedule all these three things in my week. That gave my week some structure and some things to look forward to. I scheduled a foot massage, a lunch date with my brother, and watched a new movie.
Asking yourself what your top favorite activities are of all time might seem like such a silly question, but everyone I’ve ever asked has had to stop and think about it. We don’t know ourselves as much as we think we do.
Another thing I knew about myself is that I also love exercising with friends. Because I knew this about myself, I scheduled a hike with a friend and hot yoga with another friend. We also sat at Starbucks and enjoyed a hot tea while we caught up on life.
I also thrive on deepening my relationships. That brings me so much joy since quality time is one of my top love languages and I’m 100% extrovert. Nate and I got some Cuban food and had a date day while the kids were watched by our neighbors.
I also love board games so I played a lot of Catan with my family (my favorite family game) and Dutch Blitz with Nate, which by the way is my favorite 2 person game! Lost Cities is a close second.
I am a big foodie, and with so much free time, I made a lot of food! I made Arroz Caldo.
The toppings are everything you guys!
Hard boiled eggs
Green onions
Fried garlic
Cilantro
I also made a salmon bang bang bowl that was a hit with my family…
I also roasted two whole chickens, made chicken noodle soup, and made beef ribs. I made steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus.
I made fried fish with a lentil rice.
I made our favorite pancake recipe from the kid’s book “Nate the Great.”
I made chicken pot pie since we had so much roasted chicken! I cooked a lot.
I also did some beauty stuff since I’m into all that girly stuff including paint my nails with my favorite color and dye my roots.
I also went to Nordstrom Rack and browsed clothes and shoes and got a much needed pair of combat boots to replace my worn pair.
I also listened to this cute book on tape-
And lastly, I took a lot of guilt free, any time of the day, naps.
Have you ever taken a staycation? What did you do during that time? How long did you do it for? I’d love to know!