We did it! School’s out for summer, and it’s time to unwind. Now can we really experience peace without taking a vacation?

Some of us are thinking, ABSOLUTELY NOT, because so many of us work summer jobs, have side hustles, or are under constant pressure to make ends meet if they don’t do odd jobs in the summer.

But I promise, it’s doable.

So what in the world gives us peace? That is 100% your decision to make.

Most people see Instagram influencers traveling the world with luxurious food and drinks angled perfectly in their photos making us wish we could live that life too. But in reality, WE CAN. I’m sure those people live great lives, but so do we and it’s time we start realizing that.

When a Meme Opens Your Eyes

I was scrolling Facebook yesterday and saw this cute post that said “Normalize not having to take a vacation to experience peace and luxury. Create it in your home, your car, your outings…you deserve a luxurious life daily”.

And it hit me. Everyone needs to experience this.

How To Experience Peace Without a Vacation?

The million dollar question.

You first have to ask yourself, what makes you happy? What do you want out of life? What do you want out of this summer? What do you want this week?

Write down a few things you enjoy and go from there.

Personally, I have been finding peace in the exercising I have been doing every day. For many of you that follow me know I am a physical education teacher with a personal training background. Encouraging people to be active is something I love doing.

Recently, I started a TikTok series of “daily physical activity reminders” where I post a 7-15 second video of the exercise I am getting that day in hopes to encourage people who come across my videos to start moving. Honestly, this gives me peace. This is my happiness for a short part of my day.

It can be this simple! Now pair my exercising with my videos, followed by cooking a bomb ass lunch and BAM! Even more peace. Happiness and peace start with yourself. You don’t need to travel to Hawaii to feel like you’re living. You can start living in your own home!

Here are 5 Easy Ways to Experience Peace Without Taking a Vacation

#1: Create a Morning Routine

Incase you didn’t know, sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin, which can boost your mood and help you feel more calm and focused.

What better way to get your daily dose of happiness than first thing in the morning when the sun is shining and your whole day ahead of you.

Create a morning routine that you enjoy and stick to it. Whether that be simply drinking your coffee on the porch, walking your dog before you start your day, or getting in some yoga on the back deck. The more you do this, the easier it becomes. You are establishing a routine, and your body and mind will crave this.

This is your daily morning peace.

#2: Cozy-Up Your Bedroom

One key ingredient to being happy and healthy is to get enough sleep. And your bedroom is the place where you spend a good portion of your life.

The average person spends 26 years of their lives sleeping. Why not sleep in peace!?

It’s 2021, and you can’t look anywhere without seeing DYI renos on TikTok, Instagram or your best friends Facebook page. People are turning every inch of their homes into comfortable living spaces that they love. Why don’t you do the same???

In the article 20 Cozy Bedroom Ideas That Will Make You Want to Stay in Bed All Day, you’ll find different ideas on how to make your bedroom your own little paradise that you genuinely will enjoy living in.

#3: Go Exploring Alone

My husband and I just moved to a new city that I’m not familiar with. And since I’m off work a few hours before him every day, I use that time to explore the nearby trails on my bike. As much as I love bike riding with him downtown to grab coffee on the weekends, I really enjoy my solo time.

This gives me the opportunity to be in my own thoughts, experience my surroundings, and of course jam out to my favorite music that makes me happy. Since I’ve started exploring on my bike alone, my body tells me every day to get up and go. I have started to crave this feeling!

I encourage you to find some new spots in your town and experience a new peace without taking a vacation. Bonus points if you have to walk, run or bike to these spots for some added physical activity, but there is no shame in driving to these spots.

Maybe you found a nearby lake, or a grassy field to collect your thoughts. Make it a weekly habit! Listen to your favorite podcast, or audiobook. Or maybe you’re like me and just enjoy your favorite songs. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s something that makes you happy and gives you peace.

#4: Make an Effort to See Your Friends

Now that people are starting to enjoy each others company again safely, get back in the habit of being social (if that’s your thing)!

Who have you been meaning to reach out to? Text them. Set up plans for a lunch date!

Have you ever watched the show A Million Little Things? There is a couple episodes where the family talks about their Friday pizza making plans. They call it “everybody’s invited” and all their best friends come over for homemade pizza and drinks.

Try to adopt this concept into your life somehow. And if every Friday is too much, try once a month. Maybe the last Friday of every month can be an opportunity where you and your friends get together to cook each of your favorite dishes.

Don’t want company? There are so many other options. Saturday morning walks through a nearby park, book club once a month at city library, or pool days at a nearby local pool.

#5: Take Yourself Out

There is no rule that you can’t go out to dinner and drinks by yourself. In fact, it was one of my favorite things to do years ago when I was in college. Once in a great while, I’d take myself to one of my favorite restaurants, order my favorite meal and pair it with a glass of wine. In all honestly, I felt like a bad b.

The stigma around dining alone is starting to change. It’s more of a norm than ever before!

You don’t even have to go to a restaurant. Movie for one? Miniature golf? Music in the park solo? All of these “cute date ideas” can be turned into a self love night out for just you to enjoy your own company. Who knows you might even make some new friends and be able to invite them to your “everybody’s invited pizza Fridays” in the future.

I Challenge You to Experience Peace Without a Vacation

And see how you feel.

All you have to do is try. And hey, if you don’t like it try something else!

Remember, you are in control of your own happiness and peace of mind. Find things that make you happy and run with it.

Also, be sure to check out 15 Tips to Improve Your Mental Health here for some added activities to improve your day to day.

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