Moment With Mel: The Perfect ‘Staycation’
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I had a few days of vacation left for the year, so I took them and had myself a ‘staycation’. It’s been a few years since my family gathered together to celebrate Hanukkah. We used to get together and have dinner and exchange gifts, but we haven’t done that in recent years, so I had time to myself. And I had a wonderful time!
I enjoy spending time alone. I think many of us do that more now due to Covid. When the pandemic hit, we all had to spend time at home, and some of us got used to it. I went out lots in my twenties, late thirties, and well into my forties. Now that I’m in my fifties, I’m all good staying home.
This ‘staycation’ was the first one in my life where I did a lot of nothing and didn’t feel guilty about it! As adults, we always feel like we should be doing something. There are always chores to do. And if we don’t do them when we have the time, we feel guilty. Most of us get upset with ourselves for not ‘doing more’ when we have the time. I’m no exception! I get mad at myself if I’m too lazy and don’t accomplish my ‘to do’ list.
I didn’t feel that way this time. There were things that I wanted and needed to do, and not all of those things were done. And for once, I’m totally ok with that. I actually relaxed for once and had zero cares! I spent my vacation time cooking new recipes, eating, watching movies, snuggling with my dogs, and napping. And you know what? Good for me!! Sometimes you just need to be lazy and do the things that make YOU happy. It’s ok to relax and do nothing. Most of us need that!
Usually, the guilt is overwhelming when I don’t do all the chores I have on my list. This is the first time I was ok with not getting everything done. I did finally get the bags of clothes that have been on my den floor for months to Goodwill. Some laundry, not all, was done. I vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, kitchen and dusted. But I didn’t clean my carpets as I’d planned. And it’s not the end of the world!
I spent my time stress-free. Every day I’d wake up with no plans, and just do what I wanted to do. My dogs wake me up very early, and some days I’d go back to bed after taking them outside. Other days I’d drink coffee and watch Dateline. I napped when I wanted to and instead of having meals daily, sometimes I’d just snack all day.
My ‘staycation’ was fabulous! It was free of stress and guilt. I did what I wanted and made myself happy. All of us need time like this, especially women. Schedule a ‘staycation’ for yourself in 2023! You will feel better, and you deserve it!
