The Rise of the ‘Ditch Day’: How Women Are Prioritizing Micro-Cations for Self-Care and Community
Travelers are increasingly embracing the concept of the “micro-cation” – short, immersive getaways designed to provide a quick reset without the commitment of traditional vacations. A travel advisor is leading a movement empowering women to prioritize self-care through these accessible escapes.
It started with a canceled flight. One woman’s travel plans to New Orleans were derailed, but the experience sparked a deeper understanding of a growing trend: the “Ditch Day,” a concept pioneered by travel advisor Meako Payne of Stay Gone Travel. These same-day or 24-hour getaways are designed to help women press pause and reset without burning through paid time off or overspending on travel.
Scrolling through social media posts from women who did make it to New Orleans, she observed a palpable sense of joy: sipping cocktails at Headquarters, enjoying grilled oysters from Katie’s, listening to live music on Bourbon Street, and even engaging with history at Whitney Plantation. “Even from my living room, I could feel the lively energy of community,” she reflected.
Payne’s inspiration for Ditch Day wasn’t born from market research, but from a simple desire for connection. “I posted on Facebook and was like, ‘Hey, who wants to go hang out with me for a day in New York?’ And it blew up overnight. I ended up with 75 people booking,” Payne explained.
Based in Chicago, Payne strategically selects destinations within a few hours’ flight, typically with fares under $200. Since launching Ditch Day trips in April, she has curated experiences in Louisville, Nashville, Austin, New York City, Orlando, and New Orleans. The formula is straightforward: a morning flight, a day of exploration, and a return flight that same night, resulting in a camera roll full of memories.
This trend aligns with a broader shift in travel preferences. The notion of micro-cations – quick escapes of a few days or less – is gaining significant traction. According to Allianz Partners USA’s annual Vacation Confidence Index, 34% of travelers are planning their first vacation to be just two nights or less, a four-point increase from 2023.
“A lot of them are just tired of waiting on other people to plan a trip with,” Payne observed. “They would come to me, and they were like, ‘This was the therapy I needed. This was the escape I needed from real life.’ So I just kept going.”
However, Ditch Day is more than just a travel opportunity; it’s a deliberate effort to foster cultural experiences and support Black-owned businesses. “We go in and we just take over a whole Black-owned restaurant and, you know, feed back into that business. Bringing that revenue to them versus going to a regular commercial place that we can go to in our own personal state,” Payne stated.
Michelle Bailey, 52, from Chicago, participated in one of Payne’s inaugural Ditch Days, a same-day trip to New York City. She described a period of personal stress, with her husband recovering from surgery and her mother experiencing a panic attack. “I was just constantly doting on everybody else. I just needed a breather, and I just happened to see it, like, it was meant to be, and I bought my ticket and booked my hotel and was ready to go,” Bailey recalled.
The group caught a 6 a.m. flight, enjoyed breakfast, explored Times Square, attended a show, and returned home by 11 p.m. “I say I’m living my second childhood right now. It was just great to be carefree and safe. You’re with a group of people who were going to have your back and look out for you,” Bailey said.
This sense of safety and camaraderie resonated with other participants. Many appreciated the freedom of packing light and the opportunity to temporarily leave responsibilities behind. Others found that the condensed timeframe made each moment feel more intentional.
Toshina Thames, 46, a childcare center owner from Phoenix, discovered new experiences through Ditch Day. “My favorite part is always trying new restaurants that I may not have heard of or be familiar with, as well as activities that I may not have thought of on my own,” Thames explained. During a trip to New Orleans, she visited the Whitney Plantation for the first time, despite having been to the city on three previous occasions.
Thames emphasized the sense of sisterhood fostered on these trips. “I was going through a divorce, and I met someone who had gone through it. To be able to be close enough with people to share your story and then give you wisdom-based advice is something that I couldn’t have asked for or even thought I was gonna get from the Ditch Days,” she shared.
Payne meticulously curates each itinerary, ensuring a jam-packed schedule from arrival to departure. “When we hit the ground, there is something booked until we head to the airport,” Payne confirmed.
Ultimately, Ditch Day isn’t about the destination itself, but about the powerful reminder that joy doesn’t have to be delayed. Sometimes, all it takes is a single day.
When my flight got canceled, I thought I’d missed my chance to experience that feeling. But watching those women online, I felt it right alongside them.
