A short getaway accomplishes "50 Things for a Happy Life" ahead of schedule

Planning Center / Taipei Report

Going viral online"50 Things for a Happy Life", with items 1 to 5 being:not worrying about money, not caring about others’ opinions, taking two vacations per year, enjoying life’s little joys, and experiencing different cultures. Many netizens responded wistfully, “I failed the first one right away!” Others quipped, “Rather than wish for such a long list, it’d be quicker to just ask Santa for a Christmas gift!” Can everyone really achieve these? According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail, the average person manages to complete eight of them.

In pursuit of happiness, people constantly make plans — drawing up dream travel lists, tracking daily expenses to stick to a budget, working overtime to get ahead, and only then feeling they have the leverage to ask their boss for a few days off. But plans never keep up with changes: unexpected fines or fees, or a sudden market dip that shrinks stock values, can evaporate your assets in an instant. When the economy is bad, bosses say to share the hardship and put in extra hours with more creative ideas; when business is good, they say orders are pouring in and stress the importance of delivering on time. Is happiness really like the lyrics in Fan Weiqi’s song — “I can’t find it ~ I can’t reach it ~ the so-called future you describe as beautiful?”

In truth, happiness isn’t far away. A short getaway can help you complete the first five items on the happiness checklist in just one day.A micro-trip lasting just a day or two costs only a tenth of what an overseas vacation would, instantly freeing up your budget. Planning two trips a year to different parts of Taiwan — north, central, or south — with minimal spending and light luggage, lets you experience local culture at a leisurely pace, relaxing both body and mind. International vacations involve big expenses, taking leave, tiring travel, packing luggage, and shopping for gifts along the way — all of which bring back that word: exhaustion. You might say, “Distance breeds beauty,” and yes, travelers are often drawn to the thrill of different cultures. But after spending too long abroad, you start missing home in Taiwan, because “the distance from home has grown too great.”So why not break out of the long-haul travel mold and embrace a “close yet distant” local micro-trip? With a little mindful appreciation, you’ll find that even the familiar streets of the city you see every day hide the charm of a Bali-style resort villa 5,600 kilometers away.

▲ Sunshine, air, water, greenery, and spaciousness are the hallmarks of a resort villa. (Photo / Provided by Moolin Fashion Boutique Hotel)

As reported by ETtoday News Cloud on May 9,Bangkok’s urban oasis, the Siam Kempinski Hotel,is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the shopping district, built around greenery and pools, offering both shopping and relaxation. It’s the ultimate choice for a luxurious urban micro-trip, with each room offering views of this oasis — a sharp contrast to the heat of Bangkok. In fact, Taipei also has its own version of the urban villa concept. Travelers can enjoy sunshine, trees, flowers, and water in the city center, even daring to indulge in outdoor spa nude bathing without a care for who’s watching. Feeling hungry? Just make a call and the staff will serve freshly made specialty dishes. Some say, “A vacation is a blend of comforts,” and indeed, beautiful scenery, delicious food, and a great mood are all essential — but they’re actually closer than you think. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown is all it takes to embrace a little travel joy. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get a head start on achieving the 50 Things for a Happy Life !

▲ Resort villas emphasize relaxation, insisting that even rooms in busy areas must feature natural elements like sunlight, greenery, flowers, and water. (Photo / Villa de Daun on a bustling street in Kuta, Indonesia)

▲ Breaking down the barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces is one of the charming design touches of resort villas. (Photo / From the internet)

▲ Large windows that bring in natural light let your view and mood expand together. (Photo / Provided by Moolin Fashion Boutique Hotel)

▲ In addition to sunshine, water, and a slow-paced vibe creating that vacation feel, interior design must also balance modern comfort and visual pleasure — only then can travelers truly relax. (Photo / Provided by Moolin Fashion Boutique Hotel, installation artist Wei Mingchen)

▲ “A vacation is a blend of comforts” — beautiful scenery, delicious food, and a great mood are all essential. (Photo / Provided by Shui Wu Zuan)