Looking ahead and seeing nothing on your calendar can feel like a dream come true. Whether you have time off from work, school, or are on a permanent vacation in retirement it is easy to get stuck in a proverbial rut. Keep reading for ideas and inspiration for what to do with your free time.
Get Away From It All
Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you really need. Getting away from your home base and all of the responsibilities that are seemingly staring you down every day is in order. Book a room at Bird-in-Hand Village Inn & Suites to experience something new.
Find a destination with fun offerings like hot air balloon rides over lush and beautiful landscapes. Mix that with historical tours, amazing experiences, and delicious food, and you will find yourself relaxing and having fun in no time at all.
Connect with the proprietor of your lodgings in advance of your stay. Ask them if they have any recommendations for local activities or excursions. Share your interests with them and see if they can offer anything related for more fun during your stay.
Before you depart for your vacation, take a little time to research the place you will be visiting. Learn about the history and what drives the area today. Understanding your locale can help you when going on tours and make the experience richer.
Plan A Staycation
Living in your city does not always mean you know your city even if you have lived there for years. With the responsibilities of life, work, and family, you will often miss out on the fun that your hometown has to offer.
Are there things you know of in your area that you have always wanted to try or do? If so, this is the time. Book a hotel you are interested in trying out but have not done so simply because you live in the same city. Give yourself the gift of a little luxury and do something you would not otherwise take advantage of.
One of the great things about a staycation is that if you forget something at home, you can just go home and get it! You will not need to spend money on overpriced toiletries or last-minute charging cables.
Another thing to note about staycations is that you do not actually need to book a hotel. You can use your home as a true home base from which to start your adventures with no packing involved. One thing to note: Do not allow yourself to be pulled into daily responsibilities while on a staycation. Relax and do what you would do on vacation but from the comfort of your home. And, if you have pets, you can still care for them without the expense of boarding or pet sitters.
Here is a video with tips on how to plan a successful staycation.
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Volunteer Your Time
Giving back to others is always time well spent. If you want to combine your wanderlust with the spirit of volunteering, then volunteer vacations are a great way to combine both of those ideas into one rewarding experience.
There are many ways to give back during your travels while still finding excitement and adventure. Search for things that you enjoy doing. If you have a love for animals, perhaps you can assist researchers in protecting sea turtles during their hatching cycles.
If you have professional experience in education, it may lead you towards teaching English in another country. Building homes in areas hit by natural disasters is always needed, and if you have construction skills, your services will be appreciated.
Tackle Your To Do List
It may seem counterintuitive to advise staying home to complete tasks around the house. If these things are weighing on your mind and will distract you on a vacation, then staying home will serve you best. Just make sure you enjoy the work you are doing instead of grumbling about missing out and becoming resentful.
Make a plan to check off your tasks so they do not pile up and overwhelm you. Get everything organized and in order beforehand. This way, you will have time to order supplies, and schedule repairs if you are working with tradespersons, etc. Planning out your jobs also means you will not stress yourself by trying to do too much at once.
If you have a partner, friend, or other family members willing to help out, enlist their services and make the whole affair social and fun. Perhaps you want to add some landscaping features or paint your house. While this is a lot of work, it can also be a wonderful bonding time when everyone is having a good time.
Writing as a hobby
Writing can be a wonderfully enriching hobby to pursue during your free time. Whether you're penning short stories, journaling your thoughts and experiences, or even crafting poetry, it's a creative outlet that allows you to express yourself and explore the depths of your imagination. You don't need to be a professional writer to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of putting words on paper or screen. Moreover, with the convenience of modern technology, you can explore various writing apps available for Android devices, which can serve as a valuable tool for honing your craft. You can enhance your productivity by exploring the best free voice-to-text app for Android to make note-taking and communication even more efficient. So, if you find solace or excitement in weaving words together, consider dedicating part of your free time to this creative pursuit. It's a hobby that can be both personally fulfilling and a means to share your unique perspective with others.
No matter what you decide to do with your hard-earned and much-deserved free time, make it something you will enjoy. Working hard, not working at all, helping others, helping yourself, going away, or staying home - it all has value and will all be memorable. Your time is your own, and your free time and travels will be successful based on what you make of it. Have fun with whatever you choose to do!
