Out of the Box and Budget-Friendly Vacation Ideas for Families (Episode 240)

 Well, this is the biggie.  What it takes to do what we did isn't to win the lottery. It isn't to get a huge inheritance or anything crazy like that. It can really be boiled down to two key aspects...and if you can shift these two, a "vacation" can become a norm in your life.

It's harsh, and I can go off an a thousand bunny trails of exceptions, excuses, and reasons why we are living in the lives we are living right now.  But the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.  Unless we are willing to step away from the shore, we will never see a new horizon.  (Can I throw in any more cliches?)

Let's get down to brass tacks - what can you shift? What is really important in your life? And what out of the box vacation ideas are there that may spark something different in you?

Vacation - An Escape to Recharge

This doesn't mean everything is ridiculous expensive. It's that powerful shift I've talked about so often, and that's moving from "can I afford this?" to "is this a worthwhile investment?" Nathan lived in a world where when you worked, you worked hard. And when you played, you played hard and invested just as much on that end. Pay attention to not only where you're spending your time and money, but where your recovery is along the way. Really look at what is truly a recovery for you. The stereotypical one-week vacation may not really be this. 

Are you really accomplishing the feeling you desire by pursuing this path? Is this a worthwhile investment due to the quality it offers you, and the feeling you have when you invest in it?

 Don't let budget limit you in your pursuit of happiness - we'll share plenty of ideas on how we stay budget-friendly. Vacations don't always involve travel.

You can stay at home and simply plan for a day, weekend, or even longer to take time off.  We do it for maternity leave and justify this as acceptable. I don't know about you, but my need to show up as a mother isn't just in infancy. There are many times in our lives taking some devoted time to connect with our kids can be way more valuable than just knocking out an additional work week. How many times do we let vacation days roll by without taking them, always striving to make the extra dollar?  Or not utilizing them simply because we didn't plan (or budget for) anything? Or trapping ourselves into so many extracurricular commitments that we have zero down time to allow for any space?

When you are so drained, how can you afford NOT to take a break? Beyond a big Disney trip, there are a multitude of out of the box vacation ideas as well as amazing budget-friendly staycation opportunities that allow you to rest and recharge without a huge ordeal. 

Intentional Planning

Last episode was all about financial intimacy in your home. Yes, in order to make something happen, you do need to have an understanding of what is financially possible. It doesn't mean you need a ten thousand dollar budget in order to relax. We have had plenty of vacations that cost us absolutely nothing. Simply going into "vacation mode" and staying under your own roof can be an out of the box vacation idea. The key is that you have to plan ahead here. You can't simply show up and it's all laid out. 

What things cause a spark of joy in you, and what things allow you to relax? I know that, for me, no technology is a key element of relaxation time. So when I want to be intentional about down time, no computers are out. I too quickly fall out of relaxation and get stressed due to lack of time management (getting glued to a screen) or hopping into tasks and to-dos with computer clean up. Having location-independent work, I'm online a ton. No one is leaning over my shoulder telling when to start and stop work. And so, I have to get very clear and set boundaries around my rest just as much as my work. 

Don't get trapped

We can get trapped into our lives by not allowing for any free space. We had a whole year where our word was "unhurried spaciousness" - and it was amazing what we were able to add by just creating more space in our lives. Be careful about extracurricular activities. One sport for one child can suck a whole family into no breaks with games and practices every night and weekend. Pay attention to what is worth it. There are seasons in life for a reason - and yes, there are times a family will completely pivot to support a specific child desire that requires more dedication. 

Yet when the focus shifts to all of these as what completely runs your life...make sure you're remembering the people behind the extracurriculars. What all are they experiencing of life beyond their one focus? Who else may be tired of sitting on the sidelines and accommodating around one person only? How can you get creative to allow for fun opportunities without committing to a grueling schedule that doesn't allow for down time? OR...how can you add a little vacation fun for everyone even if you're following a sport or drama or whatever schedule that takes up a lot of time?

Vacation is A Mindset

Our trip to Costa Rica was absolutely magical. Staying over a month there completely allowed us to really shift out of the day-to-day and experience rest beyond the prep and hustle. We had enough time to really create that space to just be. 

This is key. What we realized on that trip was just how complicated we make things just to have a moment to relax. What stops us from stepping outside in the middle of the day on a glorious afternoon to feel our feet on the ground and take a deep breath of rest and recovery? Why don't we stop and pull out the family games or play tag during the week vs. that only being on vacation? 

What feelings do you want to feel when you're relaxing? What does a vacation even look like for you? Think about the feelings you desire. How can you incorporate a feeling just like that today? Maybe you can't teleport yourself to the beach, but you can close your eyes, feel the sunshine on your face, and transport your mind there for a moment. While you're in that space, soak in gratitude for the good feeling it produces in you, and recognize you just had an out of the box mini-vacation. 

Out of the box vacation ideas

Not only is this an incredible way to give back, but it creates amazing lessons for your children and allows them to see ways to help and look beyond themselves.

When you start to look for and see opportunities all around you, you'll find many opportunities to shift into "vacation mode" without ever leaving your home town. You can cover these in a variety of ways. Think about these ones for not only your own hometown, but other ways to see other areas as well - 

Food Hacks

Our Challenge: