At Silver Dollar City on the 4th of July
During the whirlwind that was Love Finds You in Charm the movie, I did a LOT of media and public speaking. For several weeks straight, between my day job, a deadline, and movie promotion interviews and such, I barely had time to breathe. It was very exciting, but there has been something wonderful about the quiet that followed the June movie premiere.
Although I’m currently on a deadline for a new book, I’ve also been able to have some downtime this summer. And let me tell you–downtime is so important! If you’re busy (and aren’t we all?) there is something so rejuvenating about taking some time away from your hectic life.
This summer, a real vacation wasn’t in the cards, but I’ve managed to have a couple of long weekends that have made all the difference.
So here are 5 suggestions on sneaking in some down time even if you can’t take off for a week-long vacation:
1. Take off work a couple of hours early one afternoon and treat yourself to something you enjoy. Maybe an hour alone to shop at Target or a mani/pedi. Just a little something that helps you to feel pampered.
2. Morning coffee and a good book in a quiet spot. I have a great patio in my backyard. There are certain times of day (either early morning or just before the sun goes down) when it is a perfect place to relax.
3. Something that makes you feel like a kid again. My husband and I spent a long weekend in Branson at Silver Dollar City, riding roller coasters and eating salt water taffy. Even though I was only gone three days, I came back totally refreshed.
4. A classic date night of dinner and a movie. Is there anything better during a hot summer than sitting in a cool theater and being swept into a story? We hardly ever go to a movie (we’re kind of Netflix junkies) but we went to see Jurassic World and had such a great time.
5. A laid back Saturday spent going to yard sales and flea markets. This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this is one of my all time favorite ways to relax. My husband and I love looking for furniture that we can fix up and restore.
There you have it! These have been some of my favorite ways to sneak a little “vacation” into my busy summer.
If you have any other ideas for quick (and cheap!) summer activities, let me know!
Annalisa Daughety writes contemporary fiction set in historic locations, including the Walk in the Park series, Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina. She lives in Arkansas and is hard at work on her next book.
Annalisa, I have summer-envy as we’re in the middle of a week of single digit (celcuis) temps where I live in Australia. I can’t wait for Spring to arrive (and a trip to ACFW in Dallas next month)! Enjoy your summer :)
We’ve gotten out camping a few times in our RV trailer. Sitting by mountain streams is great downtime for me!
Great ideas! You listed many of the things I do too, so I can’t think of anything to add to your list. LOL for my 40th birthday my hubby asked what I’d like to do. I choose to walk around Target without being rushed just to see what they had. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and it’s a birthday I will never forget.
I’m all about enjoying myself without having to spend money! :) Honestly, my favorite “down time” place is the coffee shop. I leave my family behind, refuse to connect to the WiFi, and sit down with a hot drink and my laptop to write. I can get more done there in ninety minutes than I seem to accomplish at home in three days… (Okay, so that one involves spending a little money, but it’s free refills…) :)
I’d attend a sporting event like a baseball game. I love eating hot dogs at the ball park.
Had to laugh at the spending money on coffee. I’d love to plunk my laptop across from yours, but I bet we’d talk and not get much writing done!
I hope you have a great time in Dallas! You will definitely have some hotter temps while you’re there! :)
That sounds amazing! We bought a tent last summer…and I quickly found that tent camping is not my thing! An RV sounds wonderful–and so do the mountain streams!
That’s funny! I agree though…time to just look around with no hurry is such a good thing!
Oh–I love coffee shops! I wrote almost an entire book at a coffee shop one year–I’d go every evening after work for a couple of hours. I got so much more done than trying to work from home! I had that book done in no time! :)
That sounds so fun! And the ONLY place I ever eat hot dogs is at a baseball game! My family makes fun of me because they say a hot dog is a hot dog…but somehow they taste WAY better at a game! :)
Oh what great suggestions! After the day I’ve had, and the day it’s shaping up to be tomorrow, I think I need all of them. LOL, maybe Friday I can have a minute to breathe! ;)
:) Hope you get some time to relax on Friday!
Totally agree on the movie! Next choice: an afternoon at the lake with a good book. But Target works, too!