FOR the average working-class Filipino to be able to squeeze in a perfect travel getaway in the middle of the year and actually enjoy it, four things must align perfectly: The right airline promo seat sale with available flights on the target date, the government’s go-signal in declaring the target date as a holiday, the employer giving his approval for the vacation leave, and last, securing food, accommodation and travel logistics.
But what happens when one of those four things don’t work out as one hoped for? Most probably, the almost-vacationer ends up staying at home instead.
But who’s to say home is a place for the dreary? Assuming that neither budget nor time is an issue, here are five things one might want to consider doing to make his “homecation” a good one!
PLAY WITH FOOD CHOICES
Whether one is a master chef or someone who can’t even fry an egg to save his life, choosing the day’s menu from hundreds of restaurants from around town can provide one some sort of foodie experience. Consider this thought: One’s choices from home through his favorite food delivery mobile application will be more varied than standing in the middle of a food market or a mall food court. Sometimes, real estate does not allow two competing brands to set up shop beside each other. From home, you can get a bucket of Chickenjoy and McDonald’s Hot Fudge Sundaes in one go.
PAMPER UP
Some people get their nails done; others drop by a spa for a full body massage. Whatever one’s trip is when it comes to pampering his body, there’s a huge chance these services can be availed of from home. The internet is a friend; the discerning mind, the police. One just has to scour the web for reliable companies which offer these services and call away. Imagine enjoying a massage from your own room when the rest of the world is dealing with their jobs in offices.
HONE CREATIVITY
The urgency with which life grips you can sometimes wake you from your dreams. Many a time, a passion or love for a hobby or craft gets lost in the mix of career and life choices. The aging adult owes the curious child inside him a favor. Once in a while, dabble in the things of the heart. Try to learn new things. Better, pursue old loves. The extra 24 hours on this day is enough to challenge a person to be a better version of himself tomorrow.
ABSORB KNOWLEDGE
It’s a very nerdy way of putting it, but listening to music (old favorites and new tracks from up and coming artists), reading a book (a good fiction piece or a powerful non-fiction title) or watching a movie (a classic film released before one’s date of birth or a controversial documentary) are ways of treating the brain to a multimedia feast at your own pace.
DO NOTHING
A clean room, the right temperature levels, a firm mattress, fresh pillows and the silence only brought about by a weekday—this here is a supreme snoozefest waiting to begin. This could mess up one’s body clock however, should one choose to sleep the entire day and end up staying up all night. But if a person believes he has been devoid of sleep for years, then he should grab this opportunity by the horns. Sometimes, the uneasiness one gets when in silence, is a sign of an inner storm that needs to be calmed. Meditate.