Recently I discovered the benefits of vacationing in my *own* home town. Why? I had a lot going on, my apartment was a mess and I didn’t have time to clean. I was feeling overwhelmed by my to-do list, was struggling for clarity, and needed to press the “reset” button.

We had a bunch of hotel points built up, and vacationing in my own home town seemed like a good way to destress and get some clarity.

I love taking mini hotel vacations, and it turns out, taking one in your home town has a lot of perks – maybe even more than traveling long distances to get away.

Novelty and the “Reset Button”

When you’re bogged down from things on your to-do list, feeling overwhelmed and stuck, I believe it’s more than a psychological phenomenon – it’s also energetic.

Sometimes getting out of the physical energy in which we’ve been immersed can go a long way. Especially if the energy is heavy, or stressful. It’s refreshing to put yourself in a lighter, fresh energy with no negative association.

This is why we love novelty. It’s a new energy, new experiences that help us separate from the past – even if the past is just yesterday.

Clean, Organized, and Minimal

I don’t like living a minimalist lifestyle in my every day home. But I love the benefits of being in a minimalist environment every once in a while to clear my mind.

A hotel room has nothing but the bare essentials of what you brought, the bed, a TV, a mini fridge, etc. It’s extremely clean, no clutter, no reminders of your every-day life.

And isn’t it the best feeling when you sink into a fresh, clean hotel bed at the end of the night??

Seeing your City with a Fresh Pair of Eyes

Taking a mini-vacation in your home town gives you a new perspective on where you live. It might take some intention and a little effort, but pretending to be a tourist in your town can really help you better appreciate where your town.

I like to get really present and ask myself, “what if I was from Minnesota or something, and this was my first time visiting? Isn’t this place kinda cool?” It’s a great exercise in gratitude.

The Convenience of Not Traveling

Let’s face it – travel can be stressful. Either by car or plane, something about the process is draining. The reason travel is worth it is that the experience of going somewhere new is energizing enough to counteract the drain from the physical travel.

So imagine if you eliminate the travel itself!

Also, because you’re a local, you already know the best spots to go out at night, and you have insider knowledge on how to maximize your time.

The Pool-cation

This is probably my favorite part of any get-away. Something about the pool puts me in “easy mode” – even if I’m bringing my work there.

Even if it’s too cold for the pool, you’ll find me in the hot tub.

Spending at least part of the day at the pool can help me get present, and get outside in the sun – which does wonders for my mood.

Hassle-free Breakfast

It’s so nice to wake up and not have to cook breakfast! Double points for not having to do dishes! I don’t have that distraction and I can go straight into setting intentions for the day, and whatever I want to focus on.

Eliminating these tasks from the get-go helps you get into your zone straight away and can give you so much momentum for the rest of the day. I usually roll out of bed, put on a hoodie, and bring my notebook to start writing about intentions at the breakfast table.

And if there are servers, it’s a nice feeling to be treated to service of filling up your coffee – right away in the morning! It’s the best feeling to be in that flow.

Treating Yourself

Taking a quick mini-vacation in your own home town is one of the easiest ways to relax and press the “reset button”. Even if it’s not the fanciest place, it’s a great way to feel luxurious and refresh the energy while eliminating the hassle of travel.

Most women in America need more “vacation time”, so I hope you’re able to find clever ways to fit this into your lifestyle, and discover the perks of vacationing in your home town as well!