10 ways to get a vacation vibe going today
Vacations can be so magical. Whisking you away from your daily routine to sandy beaches or rugged mountains, or somewhere in between, so you can recharge, have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Ever thought about how you can keep just a teeny weeny bit of your vacation vibe when you are back at home? Here are a few ideas:
Eat outside
There’s something about dining al fresco that breaks the monotony, no? Enjoy basking under the sun with hopefully a slight cool breeze while enjoying your meal. Think Deejai Thai, 300 East, these other patios before it gets cold — or maybe even a self-made snack on Edna’s Porch.
Don’t jam pack your day
Meetings on meetings on meetings can be a routine that we get in the groove of but think about scheduling fewer meetings and taking it a bit easy on yourself.
Use your “special occasion” dinnerware
It’s all about presentation. Don’t save the pretty plates for company, a holiday or some other moment. Save it for you—on a Tuesday with your chicken breast.
Upgrade your bedding
Hotels + Bedding= Love. Make a small investment in high thread count sheets and plush pillows that remind you of your resort stay. Have you browsed Anthropologie since it opened at Atherton Mill?
Downgrade your beauty routine
Some trips call for fresh faces and flowy ‘fits. Consider a less “done” vacation look while at home on an average day. Of course, you may not want to do that for a big client meeting but for a trip to the grocery store? Why not! Try it, you may feel liberated.
Create comfortable mornings
Vacation mornings call for sleeping in (see upgrade your bedding above) and lounging over breakfast (usually made by someone else) and coffee. Perhaps you could plan your meal the night before or purchase a coffee machine that automatically starts coffee for you in the am so breakfast is more enjoyable? Maybe even change your alarm clock’s ring tone so you aren’t jarred awake. Could you try starting your day with exercise or meditation if that makes for an easier morning for you?
Take time in your (vacation) happy place
Do you gravitate to beach getaways for your vacations? Try appeasing that desire with a short drive to Lake Norman or Lake Wylie. Mountains more your thing? Take an afternoon hike at Crowders Mountain or a stroll on one of Charlotte’s greenways to enjoy nature.
Be less connected
Consider putting your phone in “airplane mode” the night before so you are not waking up and checking it immediately. Make a rule to check your email at a certain time in the morning instead of habitually every few minutes.
Eliminate screens
We talked about phones but what about our other devices? Think about actually flipping the pages of a magazine or a book instead of swiping your finger. If you were on the beach, would you really have your laptop or iPad there? Or should you? Also, consider less TV time.
Take time for fun
One of the reasons we love vacations so much is that they are so much fun. We research the best hotels, restaurants and pick tours and other activities. Seems fun, right? Try doing those same things at home. A tourist in your own city, if you will. Have you checked anything off this list of 110 things to do in Charlotte?
Photo: Sandis Helvigs
This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "10 ways to get a vacation vibe going today."