Hey, hey Monday!
You guys, it’s the perfect storm. My kids are home from school today because of President’s Day, and I just returned from Nashville with my besties yesterday which means…so much laundry, hyper children and a very full inbox. I thought it was the PERFECT time to share my 9 KEYS TO RETURNING FROM A TRIP 😉 .
If you’ll recall, back in July, I shared my 18 KEYS FOR PREPPING FOR A TRIP, but now, it’s time for that not so fun part of returning home and getting back into the routine.
These are my keys whether it’s a trip by myself, with just Andrew or the whole family. Just little routines/habits/things I do to make going from vacation to normal life easier.
Before we begin though, take a look back at my other Shay’s Ways posts in case you need one of these topics in your life today too…
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
And, of course, today’s post was brought to you by…
…a reader 🙂 . THANK YOU for the suggestion!
Now, please, please, please make sure you read 18 KEYS FOR PREPPING FOR A TRIP because these routines certainly complement each other.
Here we go, in no particular order, my 9 KEYS FOR RETURNING FROM A TRIP:
1: LEAVE YOUR LUGGAGE IN THE GARAGE/OUT OF THE WAY. This might be my #1 tip. Whenever we get back from a trip, the luggage stays in the garage. I like walking into a clean house and not dragging all of my dirty laundry, souvenirs and mess in there with me. When it’s convenient for me, I go out there (or we go out there if it’s been a family vacation) with empty laundry baskets and sort through it, take it and put it away. Then, if I want to take a week to unpack it all, I can. It’s in the garage, out of the way instead of in my bedroom or the middle of my living room judging me every time I walk by about how lazy I’m being. Speaking of which…
2: DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO UNPACK RIGHT AWAY. Yes, there, I said it. Over the years, this Type-A girl has really settled down when it comes to unpacking. I used to get home and have it all unpacked before I went to bed that night. I would immediately launch into it no matter how I felt, the time of day or what else I had going on. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve decided that doesn’t serve me well any longer, so I don’t operate that way now. I do love having my suitcase unpacked, but I only work on it now when I have time. Other priories come first and suitcases filled with laundry come last. Which brings me to…
3: COME HOME WITH SORTED LAUNDRY. I do really try hard to sort the laundry before I pack my suitcase back up. I typically put it in a trash bag that I’ve packed. Sometimes, if it’s a long trip with my entire family, I’ll bring multiple (one for the kids, one for me, etc). If sorting your laundry makes your life easier at home, sort it while you’re away too.
4: DO NOT SCHEDULE ANY APPOINTMENTS THE FIRST DAY/WEEK BACK. Don’t do it. The last thing you need to do the day after a trip is go for your annual dental cleaning. I know you think “it will be fine” but seriously, waking up that first morning after a trip, anything “extra” is just too much. If you have jet lag, give yourself more than a day too. It just makes that transition back so much easier.
5: TRY TO RETURN HOME ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY. I know that this is not always possible, but geez, when we can return on a Friday or Saturday, it’s just so much better than a school night/work night. This just gives you an extra beat to get your life together before you head back to school/work. It’s like a vacation from your vacation before the real world calls on Monday.
6: DON’T HAVE YOUR MAIL COME THAT DAY. We always have the post office hold our mail when we travel, but I specifically don’t have them deliver it until one full day after we get home. I just think it makes life easier not to arrive back from a big trip to laundry and a big stack of mail that needs to be sorted.
7: DON’T NAP. I personally think that if you’re coming off of a long plane ride and jet lag, the worst thing you can do is head home and nap. I think the faster you try and get back on “normal time” the easier it is to recover from jet lag. Napping ruins me, so even if we land super early and I’m super tired, I try really hard to stay awake until at least 7:00 PM so that I can sleep through the night and hopefully, help eliminate jet lag. If you do nap, I would set an alarm and limit the amount of time you sleep. I think it helps if you…
8: TAKE A SHOWER. If I get home and am trying to stay awake, a shower always perks me up and gives me that extra pep in my step to ward off jet lag and hopefully stay up a bit longer.
9: IMMEDIATELY RESTOCK YOUR TOILETRY BAG. I keep my toiletry bag stocked, so when I get home and unpack it, I immediately restock it for the next trip. If I’m out of something, I stop and order it right then, and then when it arrives, I put it in my bag. Easy peasy.
Those are my 9 KEYS! Make sure you read my 18 KEYS FOR PREPPING FOR A TRIP too because those keys also make returning home SO MUCH EASIER!
What do you do? What did I miss? I know you guys have your own routines too. I would love to read them!
I’m off now to do all of the above 🙂 . I’ll see you back here tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
So many great tips! Thanks for sharing! I love the one about coming back on a weekend to let you reset!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Laura Dille says
We arrange for our dog to be boarded for an extra day, too- one less thing/being to take care of when we first get back!
Have first full day back’s dinner planned ahead of time- usually a crockpot meal!
Mix and Match Mama says
BRILLIANT!!!!!
Bonnie B says
Similar to restocking your toiletry bag, but I keep a stack of Post-Its and a pen in my toiletry bag. I write things down that are low, so if I’m not able to restock it right away when I get back, I at least know what needs to be refilled when I open it again for the next trip.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this!!!
Heather Stanton says
I plan the first 1-2 days of easy items to eat. (think super easy) charcuterie board dinner, frozen lasagna from Costco, milk, staples to tie me over. Grocery delivery when we get back…again only things I need until my brain kicks into Mom mode again.
Plus I can add to the delivery in case I’m coming hold with fun things like a cold!
Kelly M Sites says
I travel a TON internationally for my job- these are great tips above, and I agree. I also make a TO DO list for when I get home BEFORE I leave. Here’s why- when I am on a trip for work or vacay, I TOTALLY CHECK OUT and focus. I always forget where I left off at home. So when I get home- I can look at my list and remember, “Oh, yeah, now I need to do these things, or remember this stuff” it helps me relax and focus on a trip and let go all of the things I have to do at home- because I know my list is waiting for me and I won’t forget stuff I was working on before I left. I also always clean out my drawers as I’m packing for a trip- it’s easy to just take a Clorox wipe and wipe out my drawers as I’m digging through them to pack, and then my drawers get a wipe down many times during the year.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you so much for sharing your tips!
Matia says
Really enjoyed this!!!
I haven’t flown since Summer of 2019. We have a Spring Break trip planned. Could you do a post on how you pack toiletries & make up? Do you separate with a 311 bag? What do you put in carry on and what to check? What bags do you use for toiletries and make up and for the family’s?
That would be so helpful!
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! I’ve blogged about both but can totally do an updated one! In the meantime, make sure you check out these two posts: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2022/11/lets-look-shopping-for-our-moms/ and https://mixandmatchmama.com/2018/08/whats-in-my-carry-on-bag/
Kelli says
I always love these! Groceries are a stressor post-vacay for me. I’ve started making my meal plan and grocery order BEFORE I leave so all I have to do is pick them up when I get home. It helps me with the post-vacay blahs when cooking is the last thing I want to do when I’ve been spoiled by restaurants on my trip!
Leah says
I’ve started doing this too and it’s the best! If I don’t, then we basically end up living on frozen pizza for a few days until I can get my brain back into home mode, so planning ahead has been such a help!
Erika Slaughter says
Um…yea, appointments at 8:00 a.m. the next day are an absolutely terrible idea. -Speaking from experience 🙂
Sheaffer says
Really great tips! Love the idea of immediately restocking the toiletry bag. For Nashville, I was priming things at the very last minute that I just realized I was out of.
Tiffany says
What travel cosmetic bag do you use most ? You have mentioned 2 😀
Mix and Match Mama says
I use the toiletry bag for my non-makeup products and then the cinch bag for all of my makeup. I always travel with both!
Beth Valenta says
I am definately an unpacker right away. I get anxious if it’s still in my suitcase. I organize my carry on at all times to have what I need for any type of wait or entertainment, with games, trail mix, my favorite list books, and water.
Lindsay D. says
I also like to order my groceries to be delivered the day after arriving home, so I don’t have to meal plan or go to the grocery store. Saved me the last time I went to Mexico and woke up with Covid after arriving home.
April says
Have the “cleaning lady” come the day before you get back, or if returning late in the day, have her come that morning. Nothing like coming home to spotless. ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Love this!!!!!!
Lori R says
With all of your travels what brand suitcase do you use? The handle just broke on mine.
Mix and Match Mama says
We use both Tumi and Delsey!