When you're on vacation, you'll sometimes have void periods and downtime when you're not doing anything. These are usually pockets of time on layovers or between activities. Sometimes you'll still be wanting to do things while the rest of your group are having a nap.
Because of this, it's nice to have some activities you can fall back on when you're looking to burn some time. You don't want to do anything work-related because you're on vacation, so what else can you busy yourself with?
Capture a mini video diary
One of the things you might want to do is capture a mini video diary. All this requires is capturing 3-4 short clips of what you're doing at the moment, whether they're street sounds or just a personal dialogue.
Then all you need to do is use a tool like CapCut to edit them into a 10-minute segment. Once you have this, you can share it on various social media platforms, including your Instagram Reels.
Chat with a stranger
If there's a low-pressure opportunity, you could also spend the time chatting with a stranger. Talking to people in host countries is a lot of fun and one of the best ways to get to know the territory. They can provide you with all sorts of information like quick local restaurant recommendations or where to go if you want to get out of the city.
These short, friendly exchanges can be completed in under 10 minutes. Plus, they can provide you with additional information you need to really thrive in your new location.
Do a 20-minute body reset
Many people like to indulge when they're on holiday. Which is why it makes sense to have a daily 20-30 minute reset. You can do this at the hotel gym, the park or the beach. It's really up to you.
A daily 20 minute reset is when you get your body moving in some way. It could be going for a quick walk or doing some light stretching. It really doesn't matter. Remember when your body is traveling it can become stiff, but when you have a daily exercise ritual you can energize it.
Once the ritual is done, you're free to get on with the rest of your day. That's why many people like to exercise before going to the hotel breakfast buffet.
Start window shopping
Another thing you might want to do is go window shopping. If you've got a spare hour, it can be a great time to look for what's on sale locally and pick up craft items or weird souvenirs.
Even if you don't buy anything, it can still be fun. Just seeing what vendors are selling makes you realise how much different foreign lands can be from your home country.
Go for a ritual coffee
Depending on where you are in the world, it's also a nice idea to go for a ritual coffee. This experience is very different depending on whether you're in Europe, where you will find pastis in Provence, or in Japan, where you can find matcha.
While you're experiencing your coffee break, try doing something which makes you feel important. For example, you could text a friend, start journaling, or take photos of the spot for your social media posts.
Improve your verbal skills
Another thing you could try is a crossword to improve your verbal skills. Playing these games requires you to think in multiple ways and also outside of the box. Especially if you're using clues. Clues force you to see the world from a different perspective and think very carefully about what type of work would fit into the space. When you first start doing it, you'll find it difficult, but over time, it can become quite enjoyable, and you never quite know when inspiration will come.
Find a secret spot
Finding a secret spot is another great thing to do while you're on vacation. This is just a little treat to yourself that only you know about while everybody else is resting or doing something else. For example, it could be a quiet garden that you stumble upon in a large city amongst all the skyscrapers. Or it might be a lighthouse which is just a little further along the coast than anyone else is prepared to walk.
You don't have to stay here long. Sometimes 10 or 20 minutes will do, but you just want somewhere that's going to make you feel different. That experience in itself is often worth the price for the trip.
Visit a local bookstand
When was the last time you visited a local book stand or a news stand? These are becoming a rare sight in today's world which is dominated by online media. However, you can still find them in many overseas countries, especially if you are visiting a large city.
When you're at the newsstand, you can also improve the experience of local accoutrements, for example:
- Some newsstands have hot dog vendors nearby where you can grab a snack
- Others have places where you can place bets
You could also just spend some time talking to the person on the newsstand. They often have lots of local knowledge and can point you in the right direction.
Read a chapter of your book in an epic setting
If you're on holiday, it's sometimes nice to bring a book with you. If you've done this, then you might want to read a chapter of that book in an epic setting somewhere. For example, you could go to a rainy European café or a convention centre for a science fiction themed event. Reading a chapter of a book in these locations feels a bit different from your regular reading nook.
Go on a microadventure walk
Finally, you might want to go on a micro-adventure walk. The idea here is to walk 30 minutes in a random direction and then turn around and head back. People often discover that they find all sorts of things on these micro walks. Many find quirky signs or hidden courtyards they hadn't expected. They can also come across street art.
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