How to be happy by staying in
We’re about a month into summer vacation here and activities are already in full swing. My kids are busy with sports practice, camps, travel, friends and outings. I, too, find myself spending too much time in my car going here and there, taking people places and trying to add more “fun” into our free time. After a long day today of driving with my daughter trying to make the most of the day by “going out and doing something”, I am really feeling the need to stay in. I have a new perspective and see the good in staying home.
We have lived in our same house for over 15 years. In that time we’ve raised two kids and done so many fun things with them, both exploring our town and stay at home activities. As their mother, I love to expose them to new things and give them fun experiences. In this constant pursuit of happiness, I tend to fill our summers with activities because I want to capitalize on their time off from school and our time together. While I still love to do fun outings with them, I am starting to feel like sometimes we just need to stay home.
I spend so much energy making our home a comfortable and welcoming place to be. We’ve designed the house and yard to be places that are fun and peaceful. All of us enjoy what we have here, so why do we feel the need to always go and “do”. If home is a comfortable place then we should spend more time here enjoying it, right? I need a new perspective on happiness.
Motivation for staying home
I find that when we stay home and allow unplanned moments, we experience all the benefits that downtime can bring (click here to read my earlier post on downtime). I find that the kids play more with neighbors, have quiet time and get creative. It also happens that I become more productive and purposeful about how I use my time. We end up talking more and spend time outside enjoying summer. Most importantly, we relax and find rest. All of these things are ways to experience the good of staying home and enjoying the comforts that we’ve worked to provide.
There seems to be a new movement toward simplicity and staying in. So many of the things that we used to have to go our for are now accessible from the convenience of our home. We can access entertainment, food delivery, church service podcasts and friendships. The rise of technology and social media have brought connect and convenience to a whole new level. Are you familiar with the acronym, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? There is now a new acronym….JOSI (Joy of Staying IN).
I’ve re-evaluated how I use my time and, starting today, I have a new perspective and I’m going to appreciate the good of staying home. I’ll need to fight the need to “go and do” and refuse to feel guilt that I am not providing enough stimulating experiences for my kids. I’ll need to remind myself that enjoying the comforts and options we have here is providing plenty.
How about you? Do you experience and see the good in staying home? Take the challenge for this week and find out for yourself.
Challenge for this week:
1) Pick a day that your schedule allows and just stay home. Have it be a day with no plans and the option to go do things, and then choose to stay home instead.
2) After that day, evaluate how you used your time. Did you do something creative or productive at home? Did you find rest? Did you have good conversation with the people around you?
3) Compare the day at home to days that you fill with activities and think about the benefits that each bring. Did you see the good in staying home? If so, add some more at home days to your schedule.
Related articles:
Is staying in the new going out? https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/12/t-magazine/is-staying-in-the-new-going-out.html
The joy of missing out https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/201807/jomo-the-joy-missing-out
Is your child too busy? https://familydoctor.org/is-your-child-too-busy/