Christmas staycation.

[Hop27]

DH and I had a shit year. Huge work pressure, failed IVF, difficult relationship with DSS and his mum and I tried to commit suicide.
On top of this we can't currently leave our state due to Covid. We desperately need a holiday, we've had one long weekend in the past 9 months and are both showing signs of complete burnout. We both have approx 3 weeks off at Christmas, we looked at going on holiday (within our state) and prices were horrendous. 7 nights at the beach for $7k. We have a lovely home, with a pool and the weather will be lovely. Is it possible to have a holiday at home and it be restful?
We've tried it once before and we slipped into the normal routine - yes we weren't at work, but got sucked into chores, gym, general everyday routine. Any tips on how to be at home and feel like you can switch off and rest?

Hopeful bump x

What about a house swap?

Meant to say - sorry you've had such a shit year. Are you planning another round of IVF?

There was a really helpful thread on this in the summer, which hopefully someone will link to, but top tips were things like takeaway/really high-end ready meals every night (or eating out), and the nicest quality food for lunches and breakfasts; clearing and cleaning your bedroom and getting a new bed set to make it feel luxe and hotel-like; putting phones/computers in drawers and only looking at them at set times; booking any external treats you enjoy, like massages/manicures/horse riding/scuba lessons/wine tasting.

If you can schedule loads of cleaning before you start, so your house is in no need of cleaning during your time off, and if you can “pack” so you don’t need to do laundry every day, that might help too.

Good luck OP, you can do it

Sorry you've had such a shit year, OP - you really deserve a good break.

I definitely think it is possible. Try to think about what is draining you/what is missing in your everyday life.

• Do you wish you had more time to cook? Plan to cook some brilliant recipes that take all day.
• Wish you never had to cook again? Get some good quality convenience foods and stock up, then try some new kinds of take out.
• Want to disconnect from technology? Turn your wifi off, lock away your phones and figure out ways to enjoy yourself without them
• Feel like you've had no time to binge a specific show you've been wanting to see? Make a day of it with snacks etc
• Is there anything local to you that you want to do? Food places? Beauty spots? Activities?

Basically, you have to be more intentional about how you spend your time, and do a bit more planning to be able to relax - but you can do it! The most important thing is to actually spend money on it - obviously less than going away, but find a budget and actually spend it on doing fun things from home.

Oh and book a cleaner to clean your house before and after! Obviously if you're trying to keep budget as small as possible that's a NO, but not in comparison to $7k for a week away.

We already have a cleaner and someone who looks after our garden, so I'd get them in to do a deep clean and tidy prior. We have lots of nice restaurants a short cab ride away so could easily get out for dinners and lunches.
The hard part is getting us both to switch off and get into 'holiday mode'
I've stayed in a Air BnB before with girlfriends and we've got a beauty therapist in, so could potentially do that.

When we had to spend Christmas at home last year we decided to watch an old movie that we’d never seen everyday. It was brilliant. Something very different to what we normally did, and forced us to not just drop into a usual routine.

Sorry you’ve had such a crappy year OP

It must be a personality type because I would find it very easy to not do any normal chores if I had a cleaner and a gardener.

Spend as much time outside by your pool as possible. Reading, chatting, lazing in the sun.

Do you have shade so you can comfortably stay outside in the daytime? If not, parasols or similar would be a good investment.

Go for a nice walk together each evening instead of going to the gym, maybe take a picnic dinner?

If there's some minor bits of and pieces that you could usefully get done, maybe schedule some time within the three weeks to do them? A couple of days near the end of the three weeks? So if you do find yourself itching to reorganise your sock drawer or whatever, put it on a list and do a few things then?

But otherwise, it sounds like nothing needs to be done, so just don't do it.

But a house swap sounds like a great idea and that would definitely get you away from the urge to reorganise your sock drawer.

I am assuming you are in Western Australia.

A romantic dinner? perthchefhire.com.au/dinner-party-catering

A day out or two?

www.perthluxurytours.com/

www.corsaireaviation.com.au/scenic-flights/

www.bluesun2.com.au/charter-boats-perth-boat-hire/jude/

A couple of these might be nice. Or take a private flight to Leeuwin Estate or Vasse Felix for lunch.

However, if you are in Tasmania, I hope the above ideas can be transferred. Otherwise I am at a loss.

The idea of a house swap terrifies me! I have family house sit when we go on holiday and that's stressful enough ! Not in WA, but ideas could be easily transferred.
Just so desperate for a break, but now we are on the edge of lockdown. One which I fear will be our first long one this year, not just the usual
circuit breaker.