Never more than now has the term “staycation” meant so much to so many. Rather than feeling obligated to stay put, why not change the mindset to luxuriating at home. This invites the opportunity to curate your own uniquely satisfying staycation. It’s the little luxuries that lead to large psychic pandemic payoffs.
Just as you would want to explore every nook and cranny of a new exotic locale, tap into that same curiosity about your familiar surroundings. Reexamine your interior and exterior spaces with eyes of discovery and delight. Rather than taking for granted the old and familiar, relook with wonder and fresh appreciation at all that is part of your space.
Choose one room, and as you look around, enjoy the memories that accompany each object. As you take note, you might want to move and or remove some of what you see. It’s refreshing to experience what a new placement of a familiar object can do to reignite your appreciation for why it is a part of your surroundings.
For those objects that no longer delight you, embrace the concept of decluttering a la Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant who popularized the concept she calls the KonMari Method. Appying this method you can enjoy the process of sorting out and gifting /donating your treasures. You will feel a lightness of being and a renewed sense of calm, when your surroundings truly resonate with your inner self.
To further this “vacation state of mind,” go outside, breathe deeply and take a renewed look at what you see.
Knowing how vital nature is to our well-being, consider cultivating your garden. Feeling your hands in the garden soil which contains M. Vaccae, a healthy bacteria, that has been shown to increase levels of serotonin, will subtly add to your state of renewal. It might be as simple as potting a succulent or as ambitious as a vegetable patch.But whatever you choose, engage yoursenses in the miracle and beauty of the cycle of life that plants and nature call to mind.
Turn everyday essentials into luxurious indulgences. Ensure that the hand soap you are using (sometimes in great abundance) expresses who you are. If a certain brand or specific scent makes your heart flutter, get it.
Turn your daily shower or bath into a spa treatment. Linger longer, use essential oils and lighted candles to elevate your mood. Treat yourself to plush towels and listen to some soothing sounds as you apply your favorite, rich moisturizing cream.
Jazz up your pantry staples with Himalayan rock salt, tricolored pepper corns and exotic spices like ras al hanout. You can also replace the notion of eating three square meals with the luxury of dining in. Whether you order in or cook from scratch, make the pleasures of the table your nightly ritual. Use your best china, cloth napkins, placemats, candles and stemware and treat yourself to a cocktail, mocktail or other beverage of your choice. Toast with gratitude to another day of health and look forward to discovering further indulgences to add to your luxurious staycation.
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Feature image courtesy Pixabay
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