Last updated on February 15th, 2021 at 08:53 pm

Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve had to go from living alone to moving in with family—all while trying to create space for myself and grieve what my life was before. This isn’t easy, but I believe in showing up for yourself no matter the circumstance.

And maybe you’re like me and have tried to give yourself extra self-care during this time. Or make the most of social distancing in the ways you can. But sometimes you just need to get away, to escape reality for a bit and live in your own utopia.

Look, we all need that from time to time.

A staycation is the perfect way to do so while still prioritizing your health and others.

Part of what was getting me so down these past months was feeling confined and not being able to travel. But this down time has allowed me to get creative.

Planning a staycation is another way to be a tourist in your own state without having to travel very far. If you’re in a suburb, I recommend going to a city and if you’re a city hit up a smaller town.

The change of scenery can be a relief. Here are some recommendations for a staycation:

Rent A Bike Or Scooter

Something about riding around on a different mode of transportation screams vacation to me. When traveling you don’t always use the same transportation as you would back home. Maybe you’re keen on taking the train, walking around more, or biking through a city.

Renting a bike or scooter is cost efficient, fun, and rewarding way to explore more of a city. I must warn you—your butt will probably hurt. It’s still worth it though! During my staycation I biked 8 whopping miles, but trying to cover that walking would have taken forever. And with driving you’d have to worry about finding parking.

Just go for it, it’ll be good for your mental to be active.

Try New Restaurants

The foodie in me lives for traveling. But most places—especially in the US—have a wide variety of food.  

There will always be new places to check out!

Make sure you are doing your part to fight for Black equity and support a local Black owned-business. Bon appétit has complied a list of restaurants organized by city you can check out.

Go To The Beach, A Lake, River, Or Somewhere With Water

Being able to relax near water is therapeutic within itself. But depending on where you live, you might not be close to the ocean. Don’t let that stop you—there are plenty of lakes, ponds, and rivers you can go to.

Do a quick Google search “nearest lake” and see what pops up. Grab your swimsuit and go for a dip in the water or set up a picnic for yourself and take in the scenery.

If you’re located somewhere cold, you can see where the nearest bath house is. I know in Ann Arbor, there is a hot tub garden you can go to for relaxation + a getaway. 

Book A Nice Airbnb

Whether you’re living alone or with people, getting away can be a much needed break during these times. All you got to do is choose the “entire place to yourself” option and then your paradise awaits for you.

I found a cool spot near downtown and other popular areas in Detroit. This gave me the chance to bike around, try restaurants, and be close to the Detroit river. Even though I’ve been there many times, exploring on my own gave me the same liberation as traveling to a new country does.

My Airbnb was industrial and sleek, making my stay that much more comfortable.

Sleep In

Because part of being on vacation is sleeping in and allowing your body to naturally wake up. Put on some relaxing music the night before, close the blinds, and sink into a deep sleep.

With everything going on, media consumption, and staying indoors—you could easily feel more tired. Sleeping in doesn’t just help you physically, but it allows you to rest mentally and decompress.

Part of having the perfect staycation is not doing too much, but listening to what you need at the moment. It’s as simple as getting outside, resting, having a change of scenery, and eating yummy foods.