Datsuzoku is a Japanese word and one of the seven principles of Zen aesthetics. It means to step out of your comfort zone or escape from the daily routine. The purpose of Datsuzoku is to take a break from the conventions and sameness of your life to discover your creativity and resourcefulness and learn to perceive your surroundings differently.

It sounds suspiciously like what we try to achieve or should be trying to achieve when we take a vacation or a staycation.

I have friends who insist the only purpose of a vacation is to do nothing and they will pay thousands of dollars to travel somewhere and do nothing. The same nothing, they could do at home. They don’t go sightseeing. They don’t try the local cuisine or learn anything about the area. Somehow it works for them because they do it year after year.

I have other friends who plan every millisecond of their vacation. They taste, see, smell, and experience everything and come home exhausted, but happy.

Which way is better?

The answer depends on the person. I’d prefer a mix of the two. It’s important to actually see the world when you travel, but it’s also important to stop and appreciate what you are seeing. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells all around you instead of hurrying to the next thing.

The best way to experience a city or a country is to visit it, but occasionally finances or health matters get in the way. If travel isn’t possible this year, there are ways you can bring a little Datsuzoku to your staycation instead of merely staying at home.

What is your dream vacation? Is it a cross country trip to see America? A tour of  France, Italy, Australia, Morocco, or Japan? Do you want to explore the wonders of the Amazon rain forest or the tropical beaches of Bora Bora?

If now is not the right time for you to take your dream vacation, why not give it a practice run at home?

Do your homework. Why do you want to go there? What do you think of when you think of your dream destination? Is it the food, the weather, the language, the sights? Select a few of these items you can replicate at home.

1.    Look for authentic recipes. Plan a week’s worth of menus featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner you would expect to find there. Don’t forget beverages and desserts. You don’t have to break the bank. Make enough for one meal. Set the table - use fancy plates, cloth napkins, and silverware. Enjoy your meals and practice sobremesa. The English translation of this Spanish word is “over the table.” It refers to the time after you’ve had lunch or dinner that you spend at the table chatting or having coffee with friends or family. It’s a time to enjoy being together and savor the experience. Enjoy this time with your family or invite a friend to lunch.

2.    Learn a few words in the native language of your “destination,” even if it’s also your native tongue. There are millions of words out there and no one knows them all. Learn a few new ones. I like to look for new and interesting words on Pinterest. Many languages have words that describe sounds or feelings that do not have one-word equivalents in other languages. For example, Komorebi is the Japanese word for sunlight filtered through tree leaves. The word creates a picture we recognize. It embodies what we see and how it makes us feel, but we do not have a word in English for Komorebi.

3.    Look for books set in your dream destination or books by authors from there. Your public library is a great resource. Plan a trip to your library and spend a couple of hours exploring. You can also search the internet for poems from that region.

4.    Plan a few local trips to see the sights or get out in nature. Compare it t what you would see if you were on vacation. Be a tourist in your own city.

5.    Buy a couple of souvenirs online from your “trip” – a special olive oil or spice, a picture, or a book.

6.    Stream movies or TV shows from that area. Read the subtitles and imagine what it would be like to be in a foreign country with a language difference.

7.    Make a few tweaks to your bedroom/bathroom to make it feel more like a luxury hotel – maybe a new comforter, fresh flowers (pet safe of course), a box of chocolates, wine, or a different furniture layout. You can always change it back, but for a week, it will feel like you’re somewhere else.

These ideas may seem silly, but they can make all the difference between a staycation and just staying at home.

When my son became too ill to travel, I wish I had tried more of these ideas to bring the world to him. A few things we tried were exploring Google maps and looking at pictures from all over the world. We took Sporkle map quizzes and language quizzes. After meals we practiced sobremesa and sat on our deck enjoying Komorebi.