There’s something extremely pleasant about returning home after a long journey - the familiar scents of coffee and laundry, the welcoming arms of your favorite chair. But there’s something even nicer about waking up in your own bed with a few unplanned days ahead of you. As far-flung travel becomes ever more within reach, we sometimes forget to enjoy the space we’ve worked so hard to obtain - our homes.
I’ve traveled to 25 countries and 3 continents, seen dolphins playing in the Indian Ocean and zip-lined through the jungles of Costa Rica. Yet since I was a child I’ve always looked forward to the joy of a summer vacation spent at home. Back then the joy came from knowing that school was out for weeks on end, and I would spent my days on an old afghan that I dragged out onto the lawn, reading novels and eating ice cream cones. Time seemed to slow down during those days, the summer sunshine lasting ’til long into the evening, daylight still creeping through the curtains long after my mother had attempted to get us to go to bed.
Later, while living in London, I used days at home to explore the city, the noisy markets and unexpectedly peaceful squares that appear suddenly around street corners, taking the tube home on hot afternoons to climb up onto the roof of my apartment with a beer and watch the birds - especially the bright green parakeets, descendants of escaped pets - flitting across the rooftops.
Since moving to Canada from my native England three years ago, I’ve had to reimagine the meaning of home to some extent. I’m living in a new city, a new country, so a staycation also means getting to know Montreal a little better, exploring neighborhoods that I don’t usually travel to, walking around taking in the different styles of architecture that slice through the city. And I can still while away an entire day with a good novel.
Via homeadore.com
I always begin an extended stay at home with a morning treat - fresh linens and breakfast in bed. I save an article from one of the Sunday Supplements to enjoy with a good cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant (the ones from Montreal bakery Mamie Clafoutis are to die for). Once I’ve been sufficiently lazy I like to tackle one of those small decorating projects that never seem to get done - switching up the photos in my favorite frames, or sprucing up my home office. This year I’m inspired by Pantone’s colour of the year, Marsala - a rich velvety red-wine shade - to try bring a more opulent touch to my dining room.
Via spheretrending.blogspot.com
And aside from revamping my space, I try to spend time just enjoying my home, something we should all do more often. Can you remember the last time you sat out in your garden for an hour, without weeding or mowing the lawn? We often feel guilty relaxing when we know there’s chores to be done, but a home is meant to be lived in, not simply maintained. With a week off, why not host a mid-week dinner for friends or relatives, or treat your partner to a romantic dinner at a restaurant you’ve been meaning to try.
Via dose.com
Yes, travel broadens the mind, but sometimes choosing to stay home gives you the chance to create new memories in an everyday setting, and find a new appreciation for the familiar. Surrounded by the creature comforts of home, you can fully relax and recharge. With no airports to contend with or precious time wasted simply getting to your destination, a vacation at home starts the moment you turn the key in the door.