How to Bring the Feeling of Vacation Home

We’re sharing how to bring the feeling of vacation home today!

We’re officially back after spending some much-needed time away at the cabin.

I freely confess, that as much as we love our house, being within driving distance of family and friends, and having a very full life in Florida, we miss the cabin already.

I’m almost embarrassed to share we were so bummed on the ride back, that we decided to make a quick and easy list of how we could bring the feeling of vacation home with us.

At first, I thought we missed our cabin life because we intentionally took time off and didn’t work or post to social media that much.

The wi-fi up there can be sketchy at times anyway. So, it honestly wasn’t a big deal.

But after we made the list, I realized there were super simple things we could do to bring the feeling of vacation home with us.

None of the things on this list cost a lot of money. Yet they’re all things we looked forward to doing while at the cabin each day.

Here’s a look at how to bring the feeling of vacation home no matter your destination…

Be Intentional with Your Time

Before we left for the cabin, we created a bucket list of all the places we wanted to visit and explore.

It didn’t take very long to write out.

Yet the framework allowed a cadence to our days that was slow and steady which felt like a huge gift.

Enjoy Nature

Nearly every day we were at the cabin we went on a hike, spent time down by the river, or sat on the porch swing with coffee and watched the sun come up.

On the days it was raining we sat on the porch and listened to the raindrops falling on the metal roof.

We saw birds, bunnies, deer, and fireflies every single day, sometimes multiple times a day.

Yet had we not slowed down long enough to enjoy the gifts of nature we would have missed them altogether.

Enjoying nature is one of the easiest ways to bring the feeling of vacation home because you can do it in your own backyard.

Shop Small and Eat Local

Given we’ve stayed at the cabin for over 10 years now, we’ve grown to love local charity shops, antique malls, apple and cider houses, and restaurants.

There are certain places that always make our bucket list because we can only experience them in the mountains.

If you vacation in the same place each year, you likely feel the same way.

When we were making this list of ways we could bring the feeling of vacation home with us, we realized we didn’t have anything similar in our area.

We’re hoping to change that soon though.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a city or town that has a local restaurant gem or a boutique that feels totally you, it’s a true treasure!  

Explore Something New

Hiking through the Cherokee National Forest is something I’ve always wanted to do but have struggled with for years because of my anxiety in the car.

The drive from Ellijay to Tennessee is really beautiful because it’s surrounded by rapids, rocks, mountains, and forests.

To get to Benton Falls one of the few waterfalls we hadn’t seen yet, we had to hike through a portion of the Cherokee National Forest.

Truth be told there were parts of it that were super scary.

But also totally worth it.

So, if you want to bring the feeling of vacation home with you, explore something new every chance you get.

Carve Out Quiet Time

I can’t even tell you how much time I spent on the porch swing at the cabin. It was the place I started and ended each day.

For one thing, the view is amazing.

For another, save for the rushing river below and the birds singing, it felt like being in a tree house.

It was the place I colored, wrote, journaled, planned, and read the book of the month from cover to cover.

Make Rest a Priority

As someone who suffers bouts of insomnia, I completely understand how difficult it can be to make sleep a priority.

While we were at the cabin, I slept through the night nearly every single night though.

The cabin is small, so the bedrooms are cozy anyway. But they also have blackout curtains, furry weighted blankets, soft sheets, and a comfortable mattress topper.

Even with the doors and windows closed, you can still hear the river rushing below which is incredibly peaceful.

These might seem like small things.

But they all help promote good sleep hygiene and they’re all totally doable too!

Clean As You Go

As I mentioned above the cabin is small. There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a small kitchen.

It’s a rustic and no-frills kind of place.

The view is a million-dollar kind of view though.

Given the cabin is so small, your only option is to clean as you go. There is no room for clutter or for procrastinating on the dishes.

This might seem like a bummer at first.

But honestly, it felt freeing because the cabin was always picked up with very little extra effort.

Use the Best of What You Have

In that same vein, given the cabin doesn’t have a lot of extra cabinet space, you basically have to use the best of what you have every day.

So, for us, that meant eating off moose plates and drinking out of tree glasses at every meal.

Truthfully, it was endearing.

But it also made me realize I have way too many dishes back home that I “like” as opposed to “love” and honestly, can get by without.

Brew Something Special

Every time we get to the cabin there is a jar of coffee beans called “Fog Cutter” waiting for us upon arrival.

I have no idea who makes the beans or what kind of coffee it is. But it’s an extra special touch we look forward to each trip.

One way you can bring the feeling of vacation home with you is to brew something that reminds you of your favorite place.

Given we have no idea what kind of coffee “Fog Cutter” really is, we happily brew Pecan Praline or Toasted Pecan once we return home to remind us of being in the mountains.

Create a Manageable Garden

One of my favorite things about the drive up to the cabin are all the small towns we go through to get there.

There are cottage-style homes with lush window boxes and large urns filled with roses flanking the columns of manor-style homes.

I love to see yards brimming with hydrangeas and all the variety of wildflowers that grow on the side of the road.

It’s truly a delight!

Creating a manageable garden is another way to bring the feeling of vacation home with you.

Celebrate a Signature Scent

If you’ve ever put your toes in the water and inhaled the sweet mix of salt air and coconut lotion, you already know the beach has an amazing signature scent.

The woods are the same way.

We brought the eucalyptus and mint candle we burn while at the cabin home with us to remind us of our time there.

That way, every time we miss those lazy summer days, we can be instantly transported back.

Creating an Intentional Summer Season…

I know it’s not always easy to get away for an entire season, a few weeks, or even a long weekend.

But after creating this simple list of things we can do to bring the feeling of vacation back home with us, I’m hoping we can all commit to doing something this summer that gives us nourishment and rest.

After all, there’s no better way to spend your time and energy than being intentional about creating a life you truly love.

What are a few ways you plan to bring the feeling of vacation home with you this season? Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Summer Inspired Posts to Enjoy:

Simple Summer Camp Ideas

Summer Bucket List Ideas

17 Home Decor and DIY Projects to Complete This Summer

Many blessings,

CoCo