What would happen if you permitted yourself to take a mini-vacation every day this year? Here are simple ways to create mini-vacations.
What if you could take a vacation every day for the rest of your life without spending too much time away from home or going broke? It sounds impossible, right?
Well, in December, I visited the Taj Mahal, watched snake charmers on the street, got a glimpse of Japanese culture, and heard the bells ring from a century-old church. I also stuffed myself with fresh bread from a German bakery, savored a cup of peppermint mocha tea, and still had time for a nap.
So how did I do it all for under $20 in just over three hours? Inspired by psychologists Fred B. Bryant and Joseph Veroff (2007), who pioneered the concept of taking a “daily vacation,” I set aside 20 to 25 minutes each day for seven days to do something I enjoyed.
From the moment I decided to try this experiment, things changed. You know that anticipation you get when you start packing your suitcase or booking an airline ticket? I had that same tingle of excitement as I got out my journal to make a list of the mini-vacations I would take the next week. Like any travel, the anticipation is half the fun.
Take a mini-vacation by spending a few minutes creating the vacation vibes each day. Photo by Daniel de la Hoz via iStock by Getty Images
Taking a Trip Back in Time
In 1999 I took a trip to India. I had been thinking of that trip lately, so on the first afternoon of my “vacation,” I made a cup of Chai tea and got out the bundle of old photos held together with twine. Women herding goats across busy streets, snake charmers with flutes, carts pulled by camels–the memories came flooding back. Some I had forgotten about, like the ladies dancing with baskets of fire on their heads at my cousin’s wedding.
Remember a favorite vacation of the past. For me, it was my trip to India. Photo by R.M. Nunes via iStock by Getty Images
I had set the timer for 20 minutes, and when it beeped, I was reluctant to return to reality. I wanted to stay in India. Does the air still smell like smoke? Are the camels still wandering the streets? I wondered what it was like now and savored the memories for a few more minutes. Then I kept one photo of me out in front of the Taj Mahal, and I put it on my desk as a talisman, hoping to return to India one day.
Dreaming about the Future
The next day I gave myself time to look through an article written by fellow Wander with Wonder writer Erin Coyle on what to do in Oman. Before I read her story, I couldn’t find Oman on the map. I was daydreaming about hiking through wadis and snorkeling in the Arabian Sea. I fired off questions to Erin on Instagram about the best time to travel and a proposed itinerary. Instead of spending time working, I was dreaming about an exotic trip, a bit like a naughty schoolgirl skipping class.
Jayla village heritage tour. Photo by Erin Coyle
Taking Time to Savor on Vacation
When I woke up the next day, my husband asked, “Where are you going today?” The tone of his voice suggested there was some important appointment I’d forgotten about. “I’m not going anywhere, just on a bike ride,” I answered. “No, I mean on your vacation,” he said. I loved how he supported me.
I had errands to run and felt pressed for time. But I committed myself, so I stopped on the way home to check out a local gift shop. To my surprise, a wellness bar was tucked in the back that served healing teas and smoothies. I chatted with the owner and lingered over a cup of peppermint mocha tea. There was a deck of conversation cards on the coffee table, so I drew one. It read, “If you could go anyplace on earth for one week, where would you go?” I had time to ponder while I relaxed with my tea.
When you let yourself slow down, it’s amazing the tiny gems you find in your own town. Photo by Kirsten Harrington
The next day, bomb threats at my son’s school, heavy rain, and tornado warnings interrupted my travel plans. Unexpected things happen when you travel sometimes. So, I did what any sensible person would do. I took a glorious 20-minute nap. That’s what vacations are for, right?
Wandering on Vacation Leads to Sweet Surprises
Eight days before Christmas, I had presents to wrap and cookies to bake. I didn’t want to take a mini vacation. Just a quick walk around the neighborhood, I told myself, and I left my AirPods behind to keep all my senses open. I took time to look up; puffy white clouds were stuck to the sky like cotton balls. I let my feet pull me forward to admire pink begonias, kumquat trees, and scarlet bottlebrush flowers.
Taking a vacation can mean slowing down to see the beauty of nature around you. Photo by Kirsten Harrington
The bells chimed as I turned the corner and walked past the church. How had I lived here two years and never once heard church bells? A block past the church was a Little Free Library. I opened the small hutch, and 14,000 Things to be Happy About greeted me. I smiled, tucked the book under my arm, and started home.
Discover something that makes you happy every day. Photo by Kirsten Harrington
My vacation was running overtime, but I couldn’t help myself. I examined weeds along the sidewalk; they looked like shamrocks. The perfumy scent in the air drew me to a purple-flowering tree. I had to stop and sniff. It was like someone had removed the blinders from my eyes.
Experiencing a Vacation to Japan and Germany in my Hometown
Every good vacation requires some time with a book. On day six, I curled up with Pico Iyer’s A Beginner’s Guide to Japan, where I learned girls in Japan are trained to put the right earring on with the left hand because it looks more attractive, and strangers routinely fall asleep with their heads on strangers’ shoulders on Japanese trains. So many fascinating things I didn’t know. Now I want to go to Japan and see for myself.
On the last vacation day, I stopped at a German bakery that had just opened. I was heading to the gym but buying a still-warm loaf of organic sourdough felt like a luxurious detour. The gym would still be there, but the bread might not be.
A loaf of German bread from a local bakery took me away to Europe. Photo by Kirsten Harrington
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Benefits of Daily Vacations
If you find yourself thinking, I really don’t have the time for this, stop and make time. These daily vacations awakened my curiosity, revealed the beauty I had missed, and led me to new places. I savored the past and dreamt about the future, all in 90 minutes, about the same amount of time you would spend sitting at the gate waiting for a flight.
What would happen if you gave yourself permission to take a vacation every day this year? Maybe the dishes would sit in the sink one night, or a few emails would go unanswered. But I bet you would dream bigger dreams, discover new places, and savor the sweetness of life. Give it a try. Your life will be so much richer. Let Wander With Wonder be your inspiration when planning your next virtual vacation or wellness escape to improve your health and overall outlook.
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