Homecation. For many people till this year it was a pretty unknown term. Be it constant need of juggling between many things: family, work, home, daily duties, friends, travels, entertainment among many. Or maybe as few of us, to some extent, tried to run away from home for one more customer meeting, one more important outing, long hours in office, never-ending friends’ gatherings. Meanwhile, this year it all has changed. In brief: we can’t run away far. And many of us have finally traveled back home. Extended stay. Homecation.
The best destination is HOME.
In English it is “East or West, home’s best”or simply “finally home”. In my mother tongue, Polish, we say “wszędzie dobrze, ale w domu najlepiej” (“everywhere it is good, but at home it is best”). Words that always ring in my head, reminding me my family home place. Touching doorstep after any trip, feeling the ambience of home, I could not miss to say these words aloud. Henceforth even today, back from any journey, and entering home – be it in Poland or India – these words get loud.
BACK HOME
After constant chasing life’s moments, we are finally back home. Currently, more than a third of the planet’s population is under some type of ‘@ home’ restriction. Instead of office, instead of outings, instead of vacation – it is homecation.
Last week I shared some thought and ideas for the Me Time, ensuring that both on ongoing basis and especially in all that is happening now – we manage to find a bit of time for ourselves only. But let’s admit it, most of us won’t be alone at home these days. Isn’t it full house in as never before? Nearly 24/7 feeling. For many of us it is a completely new situation.
Over two years ago I used to spend a lot of time outside of the house: office, travels, meeting family and friends. Over one year ago I was alone at home for big part of the day. Less than one year ago I was alone at home with Our Little One for big part of the day. All of a sudden it all shifted now: it is 4 of us, all the time together at home.
My life in practice: my corporate man = My Better Half works from home. Our Big Angel, who just turned 11, is now part of online school program and occupies half of the sofa with her books. And Our Little One, 9 months now, is at the stage of discovering all the nooks and crannies of the floor. In all this me and my maternity leave. With all this happening we still manage to find our time, smile together and make these moments very unique. Important: Just be positive and enjoy this homecation!
HOMECATION
I have just realized and questioned myself. Why do we call this time ‘isolation’? Is being with self and people we love the most in this world an isolation? Or on the reverse – it is finally: time together! Seems unlimited, so cool as it hasn’t really happened on this scale before. So remember, homecation is a time together: with self and / or people you love most, enjoying it at home as if it was your best holiday time!
You think I am too optimistic as you are still overwhelmed with all happening at home? Don’t worry. I understand, I am in it too. Just that as much as I love to go out, wander and roam around – I love to stay at home too. For this to happen there are 3 magical elements needed:
? love being with yourself
? love spending time with your family
? love your home
enjoy each moment
Going on holidays requires a bit of preparation. As a result, you would do your research & packing, prepare house to be locked safely and ensure your holiday mood is with you. Homecation is very similar. Obviously, a bit of preparation is needed too. As you are already locked safely at home, it is important to think about few logistics and mindset – to make it all happen.
FORGET THE OUTSIDE WORLD for a moment. If you can. If no one from your beloved ones is impacted. The way we should forget work when going on holidays, in this case forgetting all external factors or never-ending news can help.
SMILE. Most of us do an ongoing count and tracking of vacation days allocated for the year. And then once they happen – travels take the priority and time at home is always limited. Not only to do unceasing cleaning but especially to be at home and enjoy.
UNLOCK THE LOCK-DOWN. Your life isn’t locked. You aren’t locked. It is just our perspective. Don’t use lock-down as an excuse. You can still prepare a great dinner, do the birthday celebration or spend unforgettable moments.
ASK YOURSELF what did you always want to do but never had time for it. And I don’t mean ‘to read a book’, go deeper! Even if many of us will be still behind a laptop screen at home, trying to help children with homework or suddenly cooking for the entire family – this is a new situation to benefit from!
FOCUS & TEAM WORK. There are plenty of daily logistics at home that won’t disappear. For instance: cooking, cleaning, organizing things won’t run away. All in all, use your strategy right. If you are alone at home: focus. If you your family is with you: use your team power!
REVIEW YOUR BUCKET LIST, is there something hidden on your list that you could do during your homecation or maybe this is an ideal moment to plan for for the future!
DON’T FORGET ME TIME. Simply.
homecation – 30 ideas
Aim high. Aim higher. You are enjoying your time at home. After all, it is like a constant mini holiday. Therefore, make it very unique as not often such life scenarios can happen, even in dreams. If you knew in advance, for example 6 months earlier, that you will be on homecation for few months, let’s say. Would you prepare differently for this ‘journey’? Certainly, you have time. It is here & now. So benefit and enjoy your homecation!
- BE A ‘CROCODILE’ FOR A DAY
- MAKE SPECIAL DAYS MORE SPECIAL
- GO ON A HEALTHY DIET
- WRITE A BOOK
- MOVIE MARATHON
- TECHNOLOGY FREE DAY
- CREATE A GARDEN
- ACT OF KINDNESS
- CREATE HOME SPA CENTER
- ORGANIZE PYJAMA DAY
- HOME SPACE RENOVATION
- DELETE YOUR WORK EMAIL FROM YOUR PHONE
- PLAN FOR YOUR DREAM TRAVEL
- STAY UP UNTIL SUNRISE
- LEARN TO PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
- SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
- PRACTICE MEDITATION
- MAKE HOMEMADE PIZZA
- HAVE A DANCE PARTY
- FLY A KITE
- SPRING CLEANING / DE-CLUTTER
- DANCE (&KISS!) IN THE RAIN
- MAKE YOUR OWN BOARD GAME
- PLAY HIDE AND SEEK
- MAKE A BBQ PARTY
- REACH WEIGHT GOAL
- MAKE POPSICLES
- HAVE BREAKFAST IN BED
- STAY 24 HOURS SILENT
- CREATE YOUR OWN BUCKET LIST
- Bonus item: PLAY A DARE GAME!
Life goes on, and how, but in a completely different rhythm. I cleaned up the closet and took the read newspapers to the paper container. I replanted flowers. I picked up the bike from the repair. I enjoy cooking. My childhood images persistently come back to me, when there was a lot more time and it could be “wasted”, starring out of the window for hours, watching ants, lying under the table and imagining that this is the ark. Or reading the encyclopedia. Is it not that we have returned to the normal rhythm of life?
Olga Tokarczuk
Moments that matter, no matter “cation”.
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