By: Tia Johnson

One of many saying my Pop-Pop bestowed onto me was, “It’s not where you’re going. It’s where you’re at.” In other words, focus on where you are and what you can do right now as opposed to constantly wishing to be somewhere else and not living in the moment. It’s okay to be present and just because you’re not where you want to be doesn’t mean you can’t make the experience enjoyable. That’s the mindset I want to focus on here. Let’s pull together some resources to make an epic stay-cation!

Below are seven cool ways you can enjoy the rest of your summer sans hopping on a plane to an all-inclusive resort.

Continue Doing What You Love

Whether it’s a dance or wine party, continue to do what makes you happy. A reason why Summer vacation is such a big deal is due to the memories that are created. Don’t stop doing what ignites your creativity and your soul. Remember, you make the vacation. The vacation doesn’t make you.

Throw A Movie Marathon Party

Take a weekend to watch all of the Harry Potter movies. For the weekend party, make HP themed food and drinks, decorate with the HP props, invite a few of your gals over for HP trivia, make HP themed gift bags, go all out! Do one marathon a month and have it at another girlfriend’s house each time if possible.

Have an At-Home Spa Day

This can be done by yourself or with a group. Buy spa items, such as candles, facial masks, rose water sprays, rose quartz face rollers, robes, slippers, face towels, and basins to soak your feet in. Also, purchase rose gold themed champagne glasses, a few bottles of prosecco and a gallon of orange juice to make mimosas. Turn off your phones, spend the day in the bathrobes, soak your feet in the basin filled with warm water and peppermint Epsom salt, and play Words Against Humanity or 20 questions. Afterward, use the rose quartz face roller and spray rose water on your face and neck. Don’t forget to create a playlist!

Attend Local Events

Google “Things to do in X city” or “Things to do in X city this weekend. During the Summer, there are many free concerts, festivals, or movies at the park. You can also have a picnic at a park. Some paid events in your city may include Dîner en Blanc, the all-white party held at a public location but the location is kept secret until the day of the event!

Stay At A Local Hotel Or B&B

Let someone cater to you by spending a weekend at a nice hotel where you can sleep in, order food, try their amenities, and recenter yourself.

Go For A Three-Hour Cruise

Wear your little black dress, leave your worries at home, and dance the night away for three hours. The three-hour cruises usually include a nice buffet, a fun DJ, and a positive atmosphere. You can take your drink to the deck and stare at the night sky while you feel the cool breezes from the river brush against your face.

Do That Thing You Have Been Putting Off

How cool would it be if you can say, “I finish writing that book” or “I started my blog and I already have 10 posts live on the website!” Finally accomplishing that thing you have been putting of is so satisfying that FOMO won’t be a factor for you.

BONUS: Create a scrapbook documenting all the things you have done this Summer. This will serve as a kind reminder that you don’t have to go far to have a good time!

Based in Philadelphia, Tia Johnson is a spiritual lifestyle entrepreneur, an international speaker, Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and creator of The Spiritual Lifestyle Collective. Through spiritual teachings and healing, such as chakra and Reiki, she helps her clients to pinpoint the limiting beliefs that prevent them from living a phenomenal life they love, to heal emotional setbacks, and to create strategic plans to execute proactive actions on a personal or entrepreneurial level.