Pre-vacation routine for less stress

Ah vacation…there’s nothing quite like it, is there?

Getting away from the daily grind, making fun memories and enjoying quality time with loved ones. You plan how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay, activities, restaurants, you save up money, you buy trip necessities, you pack all the things - in short, you put a ton of effort into making your retreat the best it can be so during that limited period of time you are able to relax, unplug and unwind, focusing all your attention on who and what really matters.

I captured this image of the stunning spa at the Marriott Resort in Grand Cayman on our recent vacation to the island - serious design inspiration!

That said, there’s also nothing like coming back to the comforts of home, dropping all your bags and crashing into your own bed! Sometimes being away is just what you need to remind yourself how blessed you are even in the midst of your daily routine.

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate or other affiliate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Shopping through affiliate links in no way impacts the price you pay. Whether you shop through my links or not, my hope is you find products you love and function well in your home.* - Dena

At the same time, have you ever heard of needing a vacation from your vacation? “Re-entry” back into everyday life can be a lot of work in itself. You’re likely exhausted from all the fun, have no food in the house and a million things to do to get everyone ready for the return to your daily schedule, especially all that laundry!! How can we make this process easier on ourselves? Well, friend, I’m so glad you asked!

Over the years, I’ve discovered a handful of tasks, that if I can complete prior to leaving on a trip, makes getting back to reality much less stressful. I’m sharing them in hopes they can take a load off you as well!

Number 1: Call me crazy but I wash my sheets before I leave! As good as it feels to get back to your own bed, it feels that much better when the sheets are clean and smell amazing! Don’t forget to spritz on some fabulous linen spray before you head out too! I just started using linen spray earlier this year and I’ll never go back! I’ve linked a few here if you want to give it a try - FYI, all of the brands have multiple scents in addition to the ones pictured. You can also often find affordable options in-store at TJ Maxx.

Number 2: Leave no dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher. I’m sure you can guess why but if not let me tell you it’s because they’ll stink to high heaven by the time you get back, especially if there’s any food left on them that will likely have grown mold while you were gone! Yuck! Who wants to come home to a stinky house with dishes to wash?! No one, ever.

Number 3: Throw out any food that will spoil while you are way (think fruits, veggies, milk, bread, leftovers), then take the inside trash to the outside trash can. Again, consider the stink factor and the general grossness of rotten food waiting for you upon your return. Not exactly a desired welcoming! If I’m really on the ball, I’ll empty all the trash cans in the house before we leave but, if all else fails, for sure the kitchen trash.

Speaking of making your house smell good, I love my plug in oil warmers that I have strategically placed in three different spots around my home. They keep a steady pleasant scent throughout the house for at least a month at a time, longer if you use the lower setting on the warmer. I’ve linked my favorite year-round “flavor” below but this is also a great way to bring seasonal smells during the holidays as well. There are many, many scents to choose from, so give some a try and find your fave too!

Number 4: Tackle as much laundry as possible before departure. I have a couple of motivating factors here: First, I like to have all my clothes clean when packing for a trip so I can see everything I have to choose from. Second, there will be so much laundry to do upon returning, it’s REALLY nice not to have a pile already waiting for you!

I don’t use anything fancy when it comes to laundry products but I’ve linked my detergent, dryer sheets and stain remover below in case you’re interested.

Number 5: Have a plan for the first few meals back so you don’t have to rush to the grocery store first thing. For example, place your online grocery order for a pick-up time that coincides with your return so you can pick up your order on your way home or use a meal delivery service. Whatever you decide, make a plan ahead of time so you’r not having to think of ideas when you’re tired and hungry!

Do I achieve all of these goals every time? No, of course not; I’m human too, but when I do, boy am I glad i did!

What about you? Do you have your own pre-trip routine that makes your return simpler and less stressful? I’d love to learn from your experiences in the comments below!

With love,
Dena

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