
At the end of this post I share a free printable of ten activities to do to have a staycation for writing, fun, and relaxation.
But first I share how I plan to have a fun staycation as a writer.
I am looking forward to the upcoming week. I am sure it will benefit my writing to have a staycation for writing and relaxation when I return to my writing working hours later in August.
Writing outside
I prefer to write in a notebook when writing outside to avoid the screen reflections from the laptop. A change of location does something to my writing because I become more alert and present. When I sit with a cold drink and the scent of sunscreen surrounds me, every cell in my body relaxes.
A week without TV
As a devoted Netflix binger, this is a tough one. However, I know I will enjoy a week without the flicker from a screen. I still remember how it felt as a child when we went camping for a week without TV. It somehow makes the day feel lighter. And I just finished season two of Succession so, I anyhow need a new show to watch.
Hiking
I love my daily walks, but they aren’t longer than an hour, and I miss the feeling of walking the Camino. So I will retrieve my backpack, set aside a day, and walk until I get tired feet and a happy heart.
Games
Time for Scrabble, and when nobody wants to play, I will sit with a crossword. When I went on vacation at my grandmother’s house, we would sit on the porch the whole afternoon solving crosswords while eating strawberries and ice cream.
Come up with a writing challenge
First, this one felt like more work. But when writing this blog post, I landed on an idea that got me excited. In addition, to write and send a postcard, I will get five or seven postcards and write one to myself every day of this staycation. It will become a little keepsake from this week, and it is a manageable challenge that I will think is fun every day.
Back to school supplies
The thing I miss most about being at school and university is getting new back-to-school supplies. I love the smell of new crisp pencils and the feeling of an unused notebook. Before buying anything new, I will stock up my pencil case with my favorite pens and start a new Moleskine notebook. I already bought some highlighters, a glue stick, and some lined sticky notes. Then I will begin a wish list for the rest.
Order 5 books
It doesn’t have to cost any money. I will browse the library, and put in a reservation for five books I will read in August. To make it fun I will either find five books on a specific subject, or books by the same author, or novels set in the same country. I think I will theme it about Russia. That way, I get to travel a bit this year after all.
These are a few of my favorite authors.
Visit a lake
I could combine this one with my hiking expedition. I live by a beautiful lake and I could walk around it. I will make sure to bring my notebook and take a break by the lake.
Hammock time
It will take a bit of preparation because I don’t have one yet. I also need to find two trees in the garden where I can tie and set up the hammock. However, I can’t wait to lay down and look up into the sky and perhaps even the stars in the night.
Send postcards
Even though I am staying home this vacation, doesn’t mean I can’t find some postcards and write a flash of the day paragraph and send it as a greeting to someone I care about. I will do this on the last day of the week as a way of wrapping up what I hope will be a great week of relaxation and fun.
How would a staycation for writing, fun, and relaxation look to you?
I made this checklist as a PDF printable for anyone who wants a week of writing-related relaxation and recharging activities. (for best result print as A4 borderless)

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