This is Lucy’s first post for The Perspiration Journal©, Staycation.

Remember playing hooky from school? If the answer is no, you should remind yourself. Take a day off work, and don’t do any chores or anything else a responsible adult is supposed to do on a random day off. Work can handle one day without you. Use this one day to remind yourself you are alive. So, no laundry, no “to do” list just PLAY HOOKY!

Think of something you are passionate about and feed that passion. If it’s your significant other, both of you take the day off and discover some passion.

Discover something fun in your town. Maybe there is a garden or a park you want to walk through. Recently I took a day off in my town and discovered a garden behind a Catholic church. A friend had told me about it, but I never had the time to go sit there. I decided I would make the time. The garden was free, beautiful and empty. I had the place all to myself. There I took photos, thought of landscaping ideas for my own yard, and simply sat in nature. I shut the world out for a brief period of time recharging myself.

Too many of us go through life not stopping to look, and enjoy the beauty around us. We do what we are told, and what is required of us, instead of what keeps us energized. Playing hooky is exciting and can get you giddy if you are willing to let go for 24 hours. It doesn’t take much, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it more often.

Read: Erwin’s Quick Guide for Constructive Do-Nothingism