Discover the joy of a staycation
By Gwenn Voelckers
At the end of July, I signed up for a Finger Lakes winery tour.
By myself.
I’ll admit, I hesitated for a moment before clicking “Register.” Would everyone else arrive with a spouse or a group of friends? Would I feel out of place?
Not at all.
I had a fabulous time.
Throughout the day, I sampled wonderful wines, chatted with interesting couples and fellow solo travelers from around the region, laughed with people I’d just met and soaked in the beauty of the Finger Lakes.
As I drove home, it struck me: I could have been anywhere in the world, yet I was only a short drive from home.
That’s the beauty of a staycation.
It isn’t about how far you travel. It’s about stepping away from your everyday routine, saying yes to a new experience and seeing familiar places with fresh eyes.
If you’re living alone after a divorce or the death of a spouse, perhaps you’ve quietly stopped thinking about vacations. Maybe it feels too difficult without a built-in traveling companion. Or perhaps you’ve convinced yourself you’ll take that trip “someday.”
If that’s you, I have good news.
Summer isn’t over yet.
In fact, August may be the perfect time to slow down, try something new and discover that one of the best vacations you’ll ever take may be waiting just down the road.
Vacation, Redefined
As someone who has traveled solo for many years, I’ve discovered that a vacation isn’t necessarily defined by airline tickets, packed suitcases or hotel reservations.
It can be something much simpler — and in many ways, just as meaningful. Better yet, it’s often much more affordable.
A staycation means treating your usual surroundings like a destination and your everyday routine like a blank canvas. It’s an opportunity to take a break from the familiar and predictable, even if you never leave your home or your town.
Years from now, we may forget the restaurants or attractions we visited. What stays with us are the moments that delighted us, taught us something new or reminded us that we’re still very much alive.
Start Small
If you’re recently living on your own, I understand why taking yourself out for the day — or away for a long weekend — may feel a little intimidating.
After years of having a built-in companion, even simple outings such as a concert in the park, lunch at a favorite restaurant or a solo road trip can feel different.
Strange.
The first time I walked into a restaurant by myself, I was self-conscious. The second time was easier. Before long, I realized something: no one was paying nearly as much attention to me as I imagined.
They were simply enjoying their own day, just as I was learning to enjoy mine. In fact, I began noticing how many other people were doing exactly the same thing.
I discovered that confidence didn’t arrive all at once. It grew one outing and one adventure at a time.
Start with a cup of coffee on a cafe patio, a walk along the Erie Canal or finally visiting that photography show you’ve been meaning to see.
Small adventures have a wonderful way of leading to bigger ones.
And remember — you don’t have to go it alone.
Choose a Staycation Companion … or Not
One of the nicest things about a staycation is that you get to decide what kind of experience you want.
Invite a friend to lunch or dinner. Ask a neighbor to join you at a local festival. Meet your sister for a day of antiquing (one of my favorite things to do!). Take your grandson to the zoo.
Or don’t.
Some of my favorite outings have been with friends. Others I’ve enjoyed entirely on my own.
One of my favorite summer outings is going to a nearby lake with a dear friend. He swims laps while I settle into a lawn chair with a good book. It’s heaven.
We spend the afternoon together, each doing what we enjoy most and somehow we both come away feeling as though we’ve been on vacation.
Living alone doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself. It also doesn’t mean you have to wait until someone else is available before you begin living.
That’s one of the unexpected gifts of this season of life: the freedom to choose.
Be Curious!
Think about how you feel when you’re on vacation. You’re curious. You notice things you might otherwise miss. You strike up conversations with strangers. You linger longer over meals. And you wander around without feeling guilty.
You return home not only refreshed, but with a broader view of the world — and perhaps of yourself.
Why not bring that same spirit of curiosity to your staycation?
Become a tourist in your own neighborhood and community. Visit the historic village you’ve driven past a hundred times. Explore a nature trail you’ve never walked. Spend an afternoon at a museum or local farmers market. Stop for ice cream simply because it’s a beautiful day.
The goal isn’t to stay busy.
The goal is to see familiar places with fresh eyes — and perhaps discover something new about yourself along the way.
Say Yes to Your Life
The older I get, the less interested I am in escaping my life. I’m much more interested in fully living it.
Whether your staycation takes you to the next room with a good book, to a nearby lake with a friend or to a town you’ve never explored, remember this:
The destination was never the point.
The point was saying yes to your life.
So, before Labor Day arrives, choose one day — or one afternoon — that belongs entirely to you. Try something new. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Invite a friend along or discover the quiet satisfaction of your own company.
The summer isn’t over yet.
Neither is your opportunity to discover something wonderful.
Living alone doesn’t mean waiting for life to happen. It means learning that you can make life happen . . . even in your own backyard.
Gwenn Voelckers is a certified life coach (CLC), columnist and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. She welcomes your comments, questions, and inquiries at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com