We may never know all the good that a simple smile can do.
Mother Theresa
August 26th is National Just Because Day, which might be my favorite kind of holiday. It’s one with absolutely no rules.
There are no gifts to buy, no traditions to uphold, no pressure to do it “right.” Just Because Day gives us permission to do whatever our hearts please, just because we want to do so.
I love this idea because so much of what we wants gets pushed to “someday.” Someday I’ll finally try that new restaurant. Someday I’ll take more time off. Someday I’ll do something special, just for me. National Just Because Day is a nudge to stop waiting for someday and do a little bit of it today.
You don’t need a special occasion to treat yourself well. Here are ten ways to celebrate the day by eating, drinking, working and playing.
Eat
Cook a dish from somewhere you’d like to visit.
We can’t always hop on a plane, though you can bring a bit of the destination to you. Pick a country that’s been sitting on your travel wish list, find a recipe and spend the afternoon in your kitchen instead of on a runway. Thai, Moroccan, Vietnamese, or even handmade pasta . . . it doesn’t matter what you choose. It’s more important that it transports you somewhere else for a few hours, just because. Need inspiration?
- Viva La Mexico: Favorite Meals & Drinks
- Taste of Italy: Celery & Mozzarella Salad with Italian Sunday Sauce
- Relax & Retreat: Four Travel-Inspired Refreshing Mocktails
Try a New Cuisine
We all have our go-to order or favorite restaurant. Just Because Day is the perfect excuse to break the same old pattern. Skip your usual spot and try the cuisine you’ve always been curious about though never have quite gotten around to tasting. Worst case: you learn it’s not for you. Best case, you find a new favorite!
Drink
Make a New Cocktail (or Mocktail).
Maybe Just Because Day is a good reason to throw a party or invite a friend around. But you’d don’t need a party or holiday to shake something up. Pick a cocktail / mocktail recipe that sounds good, gather the ingredients and treat a random Wednesday like it’s worth celebrating. Here are a few to get started.
- Romantic Movie-Inspired Drinks
- 7 Delicious Margarita Recipes
- Creative Mocktails for Anytime of Year
- Sunday Peach Cobbler Dessert Recipe
Make a New Cocktail (or Mocktail).
Gather a few friends for a “passport potluck,” just because! Have everyone bring a dish or bottle of wine inspired by their favorite place they’ve traveled. It’s an instant world tour around your dinner table and a great excuse to swap stories over good food and drink.
Work
Take the Afternoon Off.
Could you use a mid-week break? Just Because Day is as good a reason as any to block off the afternoon, close the laptop and give yourself permission to step away from the inbox without a “real” reason. Use the time however you’d like. Or maybe try one of the other ideas on this list.
Give Your Workspace a Makover.
Is your desk getting cluttered? Are you drowning in downloads?? Want to infuse fresh energy and creativity into your workspace? Spend a few minutes today clearing off your desk, drawers, files, or other areas of your office. Give your computer a digital detox. Then refresh everything. Add a new plant, framed picture or essential oil spray for clarity.
To get the most out of your trip, plan to early-bird it. Spring is the most popular time to visit due to thawing meltwater making majestic sights of the falls. There are 18 different canyons, each with their own unique and beautiful waterfall.
Play
Daydream instead of Doomscroll.
Swap the endless scroll for something that actually fills you up. Curate a Pinterest board for a dream trip, ideas to refresh a room in your house, recipes you want to try, or a trip you’ve been wanting to take. Want to stay off the screen entirely? Pick up a book and get lost in it for the afternoon.
Send a letter or postcard.
That postcard you bought with good intentions and then tucked into a drawer and never mailed? We all have one (or several). Today’s the day to finally let it fulfill its destiny. Not sure where to start? The Art of the Letter is a good reminder of why this small gesture matters so much.
Take a Hike with a View.
Sometimes all it takes is fresh air and a good trail to reset. It doesn’t have to be a national park (although these spectacular hikes across the U.S. are worth lacing up your boots); a local trail works just as well for clearing your head. Or take a walk in a different part of your hometown. The goal is to get outside, be active, and see something new, just because.
Book or Buy Something Special.
The best way to spend National Just Because Day? Finally saying yes to something you’ve been putting off. A trip, a class you’ve wanted to take, tickets to a show, a piece of art for your wall. You don’t need a special occasion or the “perfect” time. Today, “just because” is reason enough.
Small Moments Make Life Well-Lived
However you choose to celebrate, I hope this Just Because Day brings a little joy into your everyday. Whether that’s in the kitchen, at your desk, on a trail or simply daydreaming on the couch, there’s some way to bring new adventure into your life. Eat, drink, work and play your way into the small, unplanned moments that make life special.
