It’s only one week. One week in the scope of an entire lifetime could seem meaningless, a fraction so small, that it must be represented with a negative exponent in scientific notation. But in the life of a high school student, one week has the power to either make or break you.
In the first few days back from spring break, the conversation inevitably turns to where you went, who you saw, what you did, and most recently, how you’ve been doing on “Fortnite”. I’ve come to expect the expressions of envy that usually come after I reveal the warm destination x, y or z my family visited in that one week. What people don’t usually anticipate, however, is my envy towards them when they reveal the details of their peaceful, uneventful “staycation” at home. I know what you’re thinking. “How could you possibly be complaining about traveling to a paradise-like destination a round trip away?” Although this is pretty high on the list of “unreasonable first-world problems”, I’m willing to argue about why everyone needs a few days spent away from the world every once in a while, even if it means sacrificing a few aesthetic beach pictures you could have used to level-up your Instagram theme.
First, at home I have easy access to wifi. My home has a free wifi network that all of my devices automatically connect to as soon as I cross the threshold. Unfortunately, I don’t have this luxury when on the road or living in hotels. In this day and age, a reliable internet connection is almost of the utmost importance. It isn’t uncommon for teachers to assign a few items of homework over the break, many of which require information or aid from the internet. Not having to use your precious data or beg the receptionist for the wifi password every night is certainly a useful advantage when completing those assignments.
In addition, you can actually do some “spring cleaning” at home when you’re on a “staycation”. I can’t tell you how many times I wished I could go back home to clean my room while I was away. The image of the clothes I’d strewn everywhere in the rush to pack my luggage in time was still fresh in my mind. I don’t know this for certain, but I’m pretty sure being physically in your house helps a lot when it comes to cleaning it. I’m a firm believer that your surroundings reflect your state of mind.
Lastly and most importantly, a “staycation” allows you to recharge your batteries. When in a new place, you’re mentally adapting to everything —whether you’re aware of it or not. You’re adjusting to the weather, the new hotel room, the food, the lack of wifi connection, the new scent in the bathroom, and the unfamiliar sounds you hear before drifting off to sleep at night. Getting so much input can be draining, which is only counterproductive of the ultimate goal of spring break: to get some rest before the most difficult quarter of the school year. Being so immersed in a new place doesn’t give you that opportunity to take a step back, mentally release from the stresses of the high school lifestyle, and reflect on yourself. Pausing to assess your strengths and weaknesses is an essential process on the road to success in any aspect of life, not just surviving the final quarter of the school year. Being home allows you to do this at your own pace, rather than at the mercy of your hectic schedule while traveling.
So when planning your next spring break, remember that while a trip to a new place can be an extremely valuable and enlightening experience, you’ll need to pencil in a few days of rest and relaxation into your calendar.
