"I need a vacation."
If you’ve muttered this under your breath 100 times this year (before noon), same. There’s just something about life on vacation that feels easier, breezier, and infinitely more fun.
Maybe it’s the thrill of waking up in a new place, where the biggest decision of the day is which bikini to wear. Maybe it’s the fact that your email notifications are blissfully silenced, and your biggest responsibility is making sure you don’t get a sunburn. There’s a certain magic to being out of office—and we want in on it.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need a boarding pass to tap into ‘vacation energy.’ A getaway isn’t about geography; it can be a state of mind. And the good news? That state of mind is entirely within reach.
Ahead, we’re dreaming up ways to kindle that ‘just-landed-in-paradise’ feeling in your everyday life—no PTO required.
Just Add Water
You don’t need an infinity pool or a tropical breeze to justify breaking out your swimwear. A trip to a sauna, hot tub, or even a candlelit bath at home can deliver that spa-like sense of relaxation. Throw on your favorite swimsuit, pour yourself something refreshing, and embrace the art of intentional unwinding. Bonus points for a plush robe and a post-dip nap.
Put Your Phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’
There’s an unspoken rule to vacationing: unplugging from devices. Your phone is for snapping sunset pics and ignoring work emails—not doomscrolling.
One of the best parts of being away is the built-in excuse to unplug. So why not embrace it over a weekend? Set a social media timer, mute notifications, and maybe—just maybe—consider leaving your phone in another room for a while.
Give your brain a break from the endless scroll and let your mind wander somewhere sunnier.
Set the Mood
What does vacation feel like to you? The scent of saltwater? The sound of waves? The weightless joy of floating in a pool with a piña colada?
Whatever it is, try to recreate it. Light a candle that reminds you of vacations-past. Create a playlist that screams “sunset cocktails.” Upgrade your shower with fragrant eucalyptus and pretend you’re at a five-star spa. Trick your senses into believing you’re away, and your brain will follow.
Play Tourist in Your Own City
If you had a weekend to explore your city like a first-time visitor, where would you go? We’re willing to bet it’s probably not your usual coffee shop.
Check out the spots you always mean to visit but never do. That new restaurant everyone’s raving about? Book a table. The museum you haven’t stepped foot in since a school field trip? Give it a go. Farmers’ markets, hidden-gem bookstores, guided tours—lean into the novelty of discovering something new, even if it’s been right under your nose.
Move Your Body (but Make It Fun)
On vacation, exercise usually happens by accident. You don’t go to the gym; you dance all night. You don’t schedule a workout; you hike to a breathtaking view because it sounds like an experience.
Recreate that effortless movement by making exercise feel a little less like something to check off your to-do list. Try something that excites you—an aerial yoga class, a salsa lesson, a long bike ride just because. The goal isn’t a workout; it’s adventure.
Eat Like You’re on a Food Tour
One of the best parts of traveling? The food. One of the worst parts of coming home? The realization that your fridge is 90% condiments.
Make mealtimes feel more exciting by getting a little experimental. Try a cuisine you’ve never cooked before, hit up a new-to-you restaurant, or plan a themed dinner night inspired by a place you wish you were visiting.
Find a Change of Scenery
There’s a reason staycations are a thing. Sometimes, all you need to feel refreshed is a change of surroundings—even if it’s just a different part of town.
Book a night at a cute boutique hotel. Rent an Airbnb with a clawfoot tub and no obligations. Or go ultra-simple and just swap out your usual spot on the couch for a coffee shop, park, or cozy corner you’ve never spent time in before. Small shifts can do wonders for the soul.
Be Open to Meeting New People
Ever notice how you’re somehow 20% friendlier when you’re on vacation? A stranger compliments your outfit, and suddenly, you’re bonding over cocktails.
Channel that energy at home. Strike up a convo at your favorite bookstore, actually chat with your barista instead of nodding politely, or compliment someone’s outfit. Human connection is part of what makes travel feel exciting—turns out, you don’t need a foreign country for that.
Romanticize Your Alone Time
On the flip side, vacation is also prime time for unapologetic me-time. No errands, no to-do lists—just pure, indulgent relaxation.
Sleep in. Take a ridiculously long shower. Go get a fancy massage. Stroll through a park with no destination in mind. Let yourself be delightfully unproductive for a little while—because that, more than anything, is the essence of vacation.
Vacation You Would Approve
Here’s the thing—vacation energy isn’t about the destination, it’s about how you move through your day. A little looser, a little lighter, a little more willing to indulge.
So go ahead, wear the swimsuit (pool or no pool), order the fancy drink, and romanticize the hell out of your daily routine. Paradise, as it turns out, is a mindset.