Get ready for some not boring self care inspiration! When it comes to vacations or staycations, overthinkers and overdoers are usually the ones booking the hotels, planning the ride, or writing down the packing list. Have you ever put in that type of energy into a true self care staycation? Staycations are a solid not boring self care tool for overthinkers and overdoers because they are accessible, can occur in half or full days, and are budget friendly.

To get you inspired, here are 20 self care staycation ideas!

Relax

• Spa Day: Listen, spa days are popular for a reason! Make a home spa kit or book your favorite treatment at a local spa. A Nine to Kind favorite is getting a facial to relieve tension in the face.
• Hallmark Journey: What the heck is a Hallmark journey? Find a small town within 1ish hours from where you live. Research the town square and spend the day browsing the shops and sipping coffee in the cafe.
• State Park Camp or Glamping: If you are near a state park, check out their lodging (some are actually nicer than you think) and activities like golfing, canoeing, or hiking.
• Library or Book Store: Write down a list of books you have been saving on #BookTok and spend the day in a quiet library or a local book store.
• Sleep Retreat: Have a day dedicated to rest and sleep. You can try a sensory deprivation chamber or request for a quiet area of a hotel. Equip yourself with all the cozy things!

Reignite Creativity

• Be a “Tourist”: Try a few local museums or activities like the zoo, some even offer in-state discount days!
• Art or Dance Class: Research drop in dance or art classes. Let the novel behavior get you more comfortable with being a learner and tap into a side that you might have forgotten about.
• Vision Board: Spend time making a vision board virtually (with a program like Pinterest or Canva) or physically (magazine clippings, photos, drawings, etc). You choose the theme and let your creativity take you on the journey!
• Solo Movie Date: At home or at the theater, pick a movie you have been wanting to see or a classic you want to revisit. Grab some popcorn, sour gummies, and a fountain diet coke for a full on throwback movie experience.
• Craft in Peace: Take your knitting, painting, or embroidery kit and give yourself unlimited time to be in craft mode.

Disconnect to Reconnect

• Phone Vacation: Put your phone in DND the entire day (or in sleep mode where you can get calls if needed)
• Move Your Body: Try a golf driving range, exercise class, or a physical activity where you cannot have your phone. You can use a free trial of classpass or call the studio about single class options!
• Media Break: Grab some puzzles, playing cards, coloring books, or other mundane activities to stimulate and relax your brain. It’s about being engaged without overstimulation.
• Thank You Notes: Grab some notecards or stationery and write letters of appreciation for the people in your life…including you.
• Connect to a Higher Power: If you are comfortable, some churches, temples or meditation centers have ours where they are open to the public.

Recalibrate

• Annual Review: Take the day to review the previous year’s goals. Write down things that you are proud of and areas you want to continue improving on.
• Boring Self Care Day: Spend part of the day dedicated to an appointment or task you have been putting off. Ideally this would be more odds and ends type of things (returning clothes, etc).
• Reset Your Space:Pick a room (or a few) and give it a refresh. Change out photos, rearrange the room, get new curtains, light that fancy candle!
• Therapy or Therapy Intensive: Some therapists have an option of an extended session to focus on a specific topic. Also group intensives are a great option!
• Tackle the BIG project: Take 1 big project you have been avoiding (starting investing, completing a school application, refreshing your resume) with some not boring self care scheduled for later in the day. Coworking spaces often have a day pass where you can access coffee, printing and more!

Don’t forget, these ideas are a template for you to put together like a good meal. What is self care to you might be something completely different to someone else. The main goal is to block off a day or two that is completely determined by you. Enjoy!

Want more self care inspiration? The Nine to Kind Possibility Planner has an index of all types of self care for each season. Not only that, there are weekly reminders so that self care becomes an incorporated part of your life. Take a look inside HERE