Staycation /steɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ noun: A vacation that is spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s home environs have to offer.

 
When I first learned that there were people who actually took time out of their lives to stay at home and do nothing, I thought they were all mad. Why wouldn’t you go out and explore?! – Utilise your spare time experiencing something new. The idea of a stay-cation had never really appealed to me. Any time that I got off was spent going somewhere new and experiencing life and the world with a new set of eyes.
Oh how things change.
Fast-forward some time, to a time where the unfathomable “real world” has made itself uncomfortably comfortable in my every life and has so perceptibly changed the ways in which I view so many things. This year has seen the introduction of the mundane 9-5 slog, which combined with other life-happenings leaves me with little time to myself at the end of each week. So by the time the weekend rolls around, my body feels like it enters a non-conforming state to my active, wanting-to-wander mind. Typically, the mind trumps the body, but for the first time in my life EVER, I let my body win the battle this past weekend. And boy did it feel good!
Everyone has that list of things that they want to get done, but never finds the time (or makes the time) to do it. Enter the stay-cation. Whilst it may seem like the most Nanna-activity ever, once you’ve made the decision to let lazy win, you won’t be disappointed! I put my gallivanting mind to rest for one weekend and had a blast! My first day of freedom was spent doing things around the house that I had never had time to do. I went to a yoga class, potted some succulents and moved the TV into the bedroom (just for the weekend – I swear!) and binged on chick flicks. Day two of the stay-cation was a little more active and saw me head out to my favourite local markets, explore the greenery at Minnamurra Rainforest and indulge in some hot chips at my favourite diner in cute seaside town Kiama.

 

Nature in all its glory at Minnamurra rainforest

 

 
Whilst past me would be horrified to hear of present me’s actions (or lack thereof) this past weekend, it did make me realise how important it is to put aside some time for a little TLC every now and then. If you’ve been contemplating taking some time out, telling all your friends you’re busy and doing sweet FA, I’d advise you to do it! Bask in the gloriousness that is contempt laziness in this fast, routine world! If my little revelation hasn’t convinced you, let these 5 points ice the cake for you:

5 reasons why taking time out for a stay-cation is great

 

1. Been eyeing off a cute pair of pj’s at the shops lately, or just been hanging out to wear your favourite onesie again? This is the perfect opportunity! When disembarking on a stay-cation, remaining in your pj’s is like the number 1 unbreakable rule.
2.  Drinking wine in bed, eating chocolates and watching endless chick flicks is ok – Hoorah!
3. Perfect op to research the crap out of where your next big adventure will be …. After you’ve rested up that is.
4. You’re only going to be at home all weekend, so any reason for wearing make-up, showering or even getting out of bed is diminished.
5. Remember that time, before life got busy when you actually had hobbies? Now’s the perfect time to rekindle that love for crocheting you forgot you had.