In the winter months it seems most individuals need a break from the holiday rush, the New Year expectations and resolutions and the grey, dreary days that seem to linger on. People often choose winter getaways to escape their regular routines, experience a change of scenery, take a break and enjoy some much-earned time to relax. But, does your getaway have to be ‘away?’ Is it possible to enjoy a break from our day-to-day at home?
Ultimately, a winter getaway is a personal choice. It can cater to your desire to be somewhere warm and salty with your toes in the sand, somewhere cold and frosty where you giggle when the snowflakes hit your face (or a snowball comes from some unassuming family member), but it also can be cozied up with your pup next to the fireplace just taking time for yourself and a break from your everyday activities.
A ’staycation’ is a term used to describe a vacation or time off from work that occurs at home or nearby as opposed to traveling to a distant location. Instead of going to some far away land, some choose to opt to explore local attractions, engage in leisure activities and simply relax at home. Staycations have become increasingly popular for a multitude of reasons. Cost savings, convenience, and a desire to explore some of the local attractions and activities in your community are just a few reasons some value their time at home versus hopping on a plane.
I have embraced the idea of a staycation in recent years as I have filled my inner travel bug with trips overseas, across the country and island hoping in the salty seas. I love to travel, but I have also realized as I work more and more hours each week that I value time to enjoy my home, my friends and want to explore all that can be offered right around the corner. I spent many years traveling for work and pleasure. Although I still love to go away for a few days, I have found I miss my family, miss my friends and miss my fur babies more and more. Being home, I can load them up in the car, drive to the ocean or a number of different cities, wine country, ski resorts or a friend’s home and still feel the comfort and joy of taking a break from the responsibilities of daily life.
The past few years we all experienced our world flip on its ears as we figured out how to navigate through a pandemic. Whether we wanted to be home or not, we had to adapt to a new way of experiencing daily life as we knew it. Although the adjustment was ‘weird,’ ‘strange’ and sometimes taxing learning to adjust without having a choice, I decided to embrace the time I was able to have at home. Time with my family that I didn’t have beforehand. My husband and I would joke about our constant work travel. We’d meet for coffee in the airport as he was arriving and I was departing. All of the sudden we were able to be together more, enjoy our new home and spend time as a family instead of feeling sad someone was always leaving. The simple things became more valuable. Walks in the neighborhood, a nap on the back porch, planting new flowers in the garden or taking a drive to the beach all made this crazy time of Covid seem to help connect us in a way we took for granted before. We found ourselves no longer wishing we could travel to a place far away but started to find places we wanted to see locally and enjoy this time together. This was our version of making lemonade out of what seemed to be a world filled with lemons.
So why tell you the story of my family’s time during Covid when this newsletter is about vacations? Well, My Dears, it comes down to something very simple. Do you have to be far, far away to enjoy time feeling relaxed, stress-free and amazed by the beauty of your surroundings?
Some individuals prefer tropical locations to escape the cold, while others welcome the snow and the low temperature destinations known for their winter weather and activities. On the flip side, staycations allow for relaxation and recreation without the stress or expense of long-distance travel. To me, there is value in any of these opportunities, as long as you take time to re-charge, do something that is important to you and your family and bask in the happiness of your time off from work and your everyday responsibilities.
How do you like to unwind and recharge? Are you a world traveler or a ‘staycationer?’ Where is your favorite place to travel? As the weeks roll by and I gather more viewers, I’d really love to hear from you. I have enabled the comments on my posts each week when I upload to The Sophisticated Corgi website (www.thesophisticatedcorgi.com). Leave a comment, let me know what you think. This platform allows us to connect and grow our TSC community. I’d love nothing more than to spread the happiness, ideas and insights of our readers by sharing among them.
As Always, Happy Weekend! Take the time to enjoy your surrounding this weekend, no matter where in the world they may be….
Nicole
I know you’re wondering…What do I like to drink when I’m on a staycation? Well, My Dears, here it is!
“The paloma is less of a composed beverage found on a glitzy bar menu and more of a casual, easy sipper more commonly enjoyed at home.”
Ingredients
- 1 cup grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 simple syrup (half part water and half part sugar)
- 1 cup tequila
- 1 cup club soda
- Optional Garnishes: kosher salt, grapefruit slices, lime slices
Instructions
- In a small pourable container, combine the fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila. Stir to incorporate well. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
- Fill 4 glasses with desired amount of ice. Divide Paloma cocktail into the glasses. Top off with club soda and garnish as desired. Serve immediately.