After a 3 year hiatus, I’m thrilled to say my “Summer Staycation” is back! This is a little tradition I started several years ago where I take the entire 4th of July week off of work to:
a.) Host our annual 4th of July Party.
b.) Do anything else I want.
It’s an opportunity to take time off for no reason at all. No illnesses, no airports, no appointments, no worries.
It’s my time to recharge my batteries and find my center. For some that might mean a week of rest and relaxation, but for me – this year, at least – it means getting stuff done.
If you follow me on Facebook you’ve been seeing all the fun I’m having getting ready for our 7th annual 4th of July party, and after that my priority for this week is to get my house back in order – ooh, I’m giddy just thinking about it!
I have barely organized anything in our house (other than corralling toys) since getting pregnant in 2009 – which means that for the last 3 years things have been coming into our house, and nothing has gone out. Our house is now bursting at the seams and I can’t take it anymore! This week I am kicking off the Summer of Purging. I am going through every closet, every drawer, and every cubby in this house and getting rid of anything and everything we no longer need, use, or love. I plan to purge this house of at least one-third of its contents when all is said and done. We might have a garage sale, we might try to sell some things on Craigslist, or we might just donate it all to Goodwill and call it a day. I honestly do not care where it goes or how we get rid of it, as long as it’s all out of my sight!
Other things on this week’s wish list (I’m calling it a “wish list” instead of a “to-do” list because I get “to do” anything I want on my Staycation; those are the rules) include working on Kate’s Big Girl Room, finishing up a couple of home projects, doing some writing, continuing my half-marathon training, picking out tile for our kitchen backsplash, test driving cars…and, of course, taking a little time to slow down and enjoy the view.
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| Photo taken just prior to my 8 mile run through Madison’s Arboretum on Day 1 of my 2012 Staycation. |
Thinking about taking some time off for yourself, too? What would your Summer Staycation goals be?
Interested in seeing how much of my Staycation “wish list” I get accomplished this week? Like All Things G&D on Facebook – where I’m posting daily pictures and status updates of my fun and productive days – to find out!
Oh I used to love, love, love my arboretum runs when I lived in Madison! Enjoy your staycation! Can’t wait to see how the big 4th of July party turns out!
Staycations are the best!!! We get Wednesday off for July 4th and that will be my cleancation….crazy I know but can’t wait to scrub everything down in my house and re-organize. Enjoy yours!
P.S. – Unrelated question, I can’t view any of your pictures, they all come up as a box with a little red x in the left corner. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.
~Gabriella @ Our Life In Action
Enjoy your week D! I love the Summer of Purging theme, I am thinking that is going to be our new theme too!,
Enjoy your staycation! Purging is the best feeling ever!
A staycation sounds delightful. I always love when I take a few days off to enjoy where I live in Charleston!
Happy Staycation! Hope you’re able to get lots accomplished this week. Can’t wait to see your purging tips and tricks-your 1/3 goal is inspirational. I’ve been trying to purge for the last month and only have a small box filled with items for Goodwill (so, 1/3000!).
Oh there is nothing like a good purge. Good for you!
I love stay-cations. You can get so much done AND relax at the same time. Calling your to-do list a wish-list is very smart.
Have a fun party too!
jbhat
This sounds wonderful! Do you still send Kate to daycare while on your staycation? I find that whenever I get time off, I immediately pick my daughter up instead of going home and getting things done…ugh, mommy guilt.
I hope this means there will be some organizing/purging before & after posts!
Enjoy your week off!
I do love a staycation! If I took one right now I would finish the purging that I started the other weekend, tackle my Where the wild things are-esque garden, finally sit down and learn how to work my DSLR and make 17 meals and freeze them! This is how I know I am officially a grown up at 32…no longer just want to sit in my hammock and read 100 books–I want to get stuff DONE!
Thank you for your comments everyone!
@Gabriella: Love your “cleancation” idea. I need one of those too, hahaha!
@Alison: Hey, it’s a start. Good for you!
Thanks jbhat!
@Anne Marie: Yesterday was the first day that I’ve ever sent Kate to daycare and I stayed home. It was SO WEIRD being in my home alone – that never happens for me anymore! Luckily I was so busy getting ready for our 4th of July party that I didn’t have much time to dwell on it. She was home with us today and goes back to daycare tomorrow and Friday. It’ll be strange being home without her, that’s for sure!
@Jules: I’m also 32 y.o. – it must be the age, hahaha. Love your list of priorities. I just posted a code for 30% off a Shoot Fly Shoot intro to using your DSLR class on my Facebook page (I took their session when I was at Haven and it was amazing)! You should check it out! The 30% off code expires today.
great idea — enjoy your time and i hope you accomplish whatever you want out of your wishes!
Thank you so much Amy!
@Gabriella: I just realized I missed the part of your comment about my pictures not showing up – I’m so sorry about that! I’m not sure why they’re not showing up other than maybe Photobucket is blocked on your computer? That is the website I use for all of my pictures.
I did a staycation last year for the week of July 4th and it was perfect this year we went away which wasn’t bad but there was something nice about having a week off and doing nothing!!
@Nat: Another 4th of July staycationer! Hopefully both of us are able to do it again next year!