Posted by
Emma Reddington
Wednesday, August 1, 2012 4:11 PM EDT
A few years ago, friends of mine decided to take a staycation in the city. They had been putting away money all year for a summer vacation but when the time came they realized that:
a) they didn’t really have enough money to go where they wanted to go.
b) that their work schedules didn’t allow them to take the time off.
Instead they decided to take the money they had saved and use it in their hometown. Throughout the summer they spent weekends in five-star hotels, went for dinner at restaurants they wouldn’t normally visit, and attended concerts, art exhibitions, sports events and festivals. They made picnics and visited parks they had never been to and took day trips to small quaint villages. When I bumped into them they were positively glowing with reports of how wonderful our little neck of the woods is.
John Cullen
When we take a vacation to an exotic location it’s easy to be intoxicated by its novelty. Everything is new and it’s a feast for our senses. The trick to a successful staycation is being able to see your old stomping grounds through fresh eyes.
- Travel Pendant & Vintage Postcards - Mrs. Huizenga
- Scarf - Club Monaco
- Saffron Maya Bracelet - Matta New York
- Vintage photographs - Post & Beam Reclamation
When I travel, I tend to pick up things I’ve found along the way; everything from bus ticket stubs to maps to rocks from the beach. These found objects often mean more to me than the souvenirs I buy from local shops. Compiled together, they offer a snapshot of my vacation with each item triggering memories. An item can bring me back to a fabulous meal out or to an unforgettable excursion.
Doing the same in your own city can make you look at your everyday surroundings in a refreshing way. Teaching yourself to see things in a new light is an invaluable tool. It can be applied to so many areas of your life including the decoration of your home. All of a sudden you can see that the rug that you placed in your hallway actually looks better in your bedroom, or that painting your kitchen a new colour and adding some new cabinet hardware will give it a whole new look. In fact, why not take one day of your staycation to re-imagine your home and bring some new life to it. You might just be surprised by what you discover.
Are you staying home this summer? What’s the best discovery you’ve made about your own neck of the woods?
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