The art of coming home: Easing back into everyday life after vacation

Many of us have struggled with the sharp return to responsibility after a vacation. Whether it was the trip of a lifetime or a simple long weekend, returning to your usual commitments after a trip can feel jarring. Between the change in routine, the unpredictability of travel, or the myriad of logistics and packing, it's no wonder your brain puts up a bit of resistance when you have to recalibrate yourself and your family back to normal living! But the transition home after vacation doesn’t have to be a total struggle. With these gentle tips and mindset reminders, you can keep your peace and your sanity intact.

Be proactive, but allow time to buffer

Getting the suitcase unpacked can feel like a goliath task, but it's best tackled right away. To lower the cognitive bar on this otherwise tedious task, separate out items that have a home (like your clothing and toiletries) from new items such as souvenirs or vacation-specific items that may require additional work to return to storage. Tend to the regular items immediately, but allow  yourself to set the more high-maintenance items aside for a few days. 

For dinner on the first day back, aim for a simple pantry-staple meal, or even takeout if you can swing it. 

Also, don’t expect yourself to do every catch-up chore on the first day back! A few essential, reasonable goals, like unpacking your clothes, starting the laundry, and making a grocery list, will allow you to be proactive with the transition back to routine without risking immediate burnout.

Don’t let gratitude end with the trip

At the end of a fun trip, celebrate God’s protection and blessing over your travel. If you are struggling with negativity towards your everyday life, start with recounting things you were grateful for while on your vacation. Chances are, many of these are still blessings you can be grateful for today! Whether you are counting your blessings about extra time with family, respite and time away, or the opportunity to see God at work in a different environment, rest in the truth that God was with you then and is still with you now. Many of your mundane routine responsibilities are the fertile soil that later allow you to enjoy the harvest! The job that provides financial security to your family, the home that needs tending, and the children you are caring for, are all gifts to be received. The efforts and sacrifices you offer up now provide part of the sweetness during the seasons of celebration and leisure!

Let core vacation memories take root in your family lore

The joy of a good vacation doesn’t have to end once you return home. The shared core memories will last for years to come! Incorporate discussion of your trip into family conversation or your own journaling time in the weeks following a vacation. Ask your family or friends what their favorite experience from the vacation was. Enfold the best episodes into your family lore by naming each story (like “the great ice cream adventure” or “the unexpected backyard visitor”) and keep key details and the punchline of the story consistent. Repetition keeps the stories alive, but give yourself enough wiggle room on details that the story underneath can shine through. A little dramatization for the sake of the story adds to the fun! Was it the biggest wave you’ve ever seen? Was it the best sandwich ever tasted in the history of mankind?

Welcome the familiar with open arms

Who can forget the comforting familiarity of your own bed after several nights away? Lean into the simple pleasures of familiarity with your favorite personal routines. Coffee, made just the way you like it, from your home brewing machine has its own special appeal. The novelty of vacation is exciting, but there is a season and time for all things. Focusing on the little joys of your home routine can do wonders for bridging the gap between vacation and “normal life.” 

Whenever your summer travels come to an end, these tips will help you keep your mindset and expectations in check. The cycle of growth and rest allows for all things in their due time. The excitement of vacation must eventually come to an end in favor of more sustainable daily maintenance. Appreciating the blessings of each season, in their own respect, allows you to be at peace no matter the occasion!