A wonderful Wall Street Journal article caught my attention this week, on Wednesday to be exact. It is a story about some families that have decided this year that a vacation away is too expensive, and they have applied their creativity to a vacation at home, dubbed by one interviewee 'staycation'.
One woman was unable to take the trip to Japan she had planned due to the exchange rate, cost of living, cost of airfares -- basically what we are all experiencing. So, she decided to visit Japan at home by shopping at a traditional Japanese market, ordering in Japanese, watching Japanese films. The concept here is brilliant.
Another family is pitching a tent in their living room. I am not sure I would go that far, and yet there was one summer when the kids were younger that we pitched a tent in the backyard, and it was there practically all summer. The kids slept out many nights, invited friends in the neighborhood. And the comforts of home were closeby too. I slept a little less well. My choice to worry a little more than if they were safetly tucked inside the house, and yet that was my choice to worry. The sheer joy that they experienced was incalculable.
So, I think the 'staycation' has something going for it. And it may even go beyond saving money. The study of neurobics says that we can keep our brains healthy by doing things differently every day. There is even some evidence to link Alzheimers avoidance to keeping our brains neurobically fit. Brushing our teeth with the left hand (if of course you are right-handed). Driving to work by a different route.
If we take this neurobics concept into the 'staycation' realm, what possibilities lie in 'staycationing' not just for a week or two but often, and continually. As a way of life. Thinking of things that we would like to do and see, and applying creativity to bringing them here, instead of going there.
I know I love to travel. It thrills me, shows me what is possible in the world. Exposes me to new cultures, people who are different and exciting.
The 'staycation' opens up a big question for me. What is 'in here' as opposed to 'out there' that I want to do right now to 'travel' more often?
Off to do some traveling here at home!
Ohhhh, the possibilities are endless.
PostScript:
When taking a staycation, discipline is very important. And by this I mean, the discipline to shut down email, turn off Blackberries, to get away mentally. The good thing about going far away is that the destination enforces the discipline. If you are in remote mountains without cell service or in Europe, for instance, it's inconvenient to 'check-in.'. The ability to 'check-out' is quite high.
So, another good thing about a staycation is the practice it will give in the discipline of getting away. While being here. Something to think about.
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