There is nothing like taking off work to escape to a tropical place full of palm trees, white sand, and clear water. You stay in comfy beds and wonder how hotels keep their sheets so white and fresh. It makes you consider how much it would cost to order one of these fluffy clouds to be delivered straight to your bedroom at home. You spend the week sipping on ice cold drinks, eating delicious meals, listening to live music, and not having a care in the world. You think about what it would be like to live there and where you would work. However, when all of the fun and adventures come to an end, you cannot wait to get home to your pups greeting you and lay in your OWN bed.

Taking time and investing your money into trips like these is important for your soul. I truly believe it. Request that time off and put aside the money for a trip like this at least once a year and you might find yourself feeling happier and ready to tackle whatever chores and work you left behind along the way. On the other hand, it is also important to take time off to JUST STAY HOME.

If you’re like me, you stress out about all the things you have to clean but feel too busy to do it all. Your mail and laundry are piling up. The dishes are never-ending. Your fridge has nothing in it but a bunch of condiments and old milk. Your pets are almost out of food and you don’t know when you’ll have time to make it to the grocery store again. You resort to fast food and your diet goes to crap- then you think about your health and weight and FEEL like crap. In return, your self-esteem goes down. You’re stressing about bills and the debt that’s hanging over-head (cough, student loans). Put it all together and you get utter exhaustion with a side of cranky to the max.

If you feel like this, you are not alone and it is time for a STAYCATION. This is where you take time off from your job just to stay home! No fancy trips or blowing money for this time in particular… but instead, some days to catch up on life!

Here are some things you can do:

• Make a to-do list
• Clean your house and car
• Wash your sheets
• Purge on items you don’t need: sell and donate them
• Organize your mail
• Pay all your bills
• Get your oil changed and inspection updated
• Take your dogs to the vet
• Sign up for recycling and start doing it in your home
• Clean out your purse
• Catch up with family and friends
• Change your air filter in your house
• Get those repairs done that you have been putting off
• Put a fresh coat of paint on your walls to lighten things up
• Go to the gym or go for a scenic walk!
• Catch up on episodes of your favorite shows
• Make your own bed super comfy and lay in it
• Take naps, cook some of your favorite meals
• Order food for delivery

Take a Staycation where you stay home and do whatever YOU want to do. I promise that you will finish the week feeling refreshed and ready (or not) to return to work.

This is the perfect thing to do if you find yourself miserable at your job you once loved. Is it the job or are you just tired? Is it the job or are you just burnt out and stressed? Is it the job or do you have so much going on at home that it just annoys you to be anywhere else? Take the time off, clear your head, organize your life, and then return to work and see how you feel!

Love,

A Girl Who is on her Staycation