A Summer of Stillness: Discovering the Joy of Staying Home
As a family that thrives on adventure, packing our bags and hitting the road for the summer is our norm. From exploring new cities to discovering hidden gems, we’ve always embraced the excitement of travel. However, this summer, we decided to do something completely out of the ordinary for us—we stayed home.
It all started with our kids expressing a desire to spend more time with their friends. At first, the idea seemed foreign. A summer without travel? Unthinkable! But as the days turned into weeks, we discovered that staying home could be just as fulfilling and enjoyable as any trip we’ve taken... well, almost.
Leisurely Pool Days
One of the highlights of our summer has been the lazy afternoons spent by the pool. There’s something incredibly relaxing about having no agenda, no schedule to adhere to. We’ve spent countless hours swimming, playing pool games, and soaking up the sun. The kids have had a blast, and we’ve all enjoyed the simplicity of just being together. Plus, I get hours to just read and enjoy my books while they swim.
Local Adventures: Water Parks and Mountain Retreats
Instead of venturing far, we explored our local surroundings. Visits to nearby water parks like Raging Waters became regular outings. The thrill of the water slides and the joy of splashing around brought just as many smiles as any exotic destination could.
We also took short stays in the mountains at grandpa’s house. The crisp mountain air and serene environment provided a refreshing change of pace. Hiking, and storytelling on grandpa's front porch made these mini getaways memorable.
The Benefits of Slowing Down
While this summer has been a departure from our usual fast-paced adventures, we’ve discovered numerous benefits to slowing down. Here are some reasons why staying home has been great:
Quality Time with Friends: Our kids have relished the opportunity to deepen their friendships. Sleepovers, playdates, and neighborhood games have created lasting memories.
Less Stress: Without the need to plan and coordinate extensive travel, we’ve experienced less stress. No packing, no airports, no tight itineraries—just relaxation.
Cost-Effective Fun: Staying home has been kind to our wallet. We’ve saved on travel expenses and found that local activities can be just as enjoyable and much more affordable.
Exploring Local Gems: We’ve discovered attractions and activities in our own backyard that we might have overlooked otherwise. From parks and museums to local festivals, there’s always something new to explore.
Home Improvement Projects: With extra time at home, we tackled some home improvement projects that had been on our to-do list for ages. It’s satisfying to see the tangible results of our efforts.
Personal Growth: Slowing down has given us time to reflect, read, and pursue hobbies. It’s been a period of personal growth and self-discovery for all of us.
Welcoming the Boredom
Of course, there have been moments when staying home felt a bit boring. But even those moments have taught us the value of slowing down and appreciating the simple things in life. Boredom has sparked creativity and allowed us to reconnect in ways that our usual busy schedule didn’t permit.
A New Perspective
This summer has shown us that you don’t always need to travel far to have a fulfilling and memorable time. Staying home has been a wonderful change of pace, and it’s brought us closer as a family. As we look forward to future summers, we’ll remember the joys of this unique experience and the unexpected beauty of staying home. But I must admit, I don't plan to repeat this summer so fully again. Travel is and always has been a passion of mine, and the kids agree, next year, we will create a more balanced summer. A little travel, and a little time spent together at home.
Comments