Returning from a trip is never the most exciting part, but I always find that getting this part right can help me feel refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to both tackle everyday life and start thinking about where I want to go next.
So, here’s everything that I do when returning from a trip (I’ve fine-tuned it over my years of travel experience) – steal my list to adjust hassle-free after your next trip!
What to do when you return from a trip
1. Plan orders for your return home
One of the things I’ve started always doing, as a non-negotiable, when I return home is to make a big order from a supermarket.
The last thing I want to do as soon as I get back is to do a food shop, so I schedule a Morissons or ASDA (UK supermarkets, for my non-British readers!) delivery for a few hours after I’m scheduled to return. I’d recommend giving it a few hours in case of delays!
Likewise, I order any skincare or other products I think I might need from Amazon a few days before my return, so they’re waiting for me when I get back (only do this if there’s a safe place the delivery driver can leave them.
2. Unpack and tackle laundry immediately
When you actually arrive home, I’d recommend grabbing a cup of tea and getting straight to unpacking.
Avoid letting the suitcase sit around – empty it out, sort clothes, and get the laundry going.
This keeps your space clear and helps you mentally transition back.
Also, if the seasons are remarkably different where I’ve travelled to – for example, if I’ve been to a hot country and have returned to UK winter – I’ll usually put my clothes (after washing) in the attic. This is because we have a small apartment so it’s easier to put unseasonal clothes away!
3. Organise and back up travel photos
Sort through your travel photos as soon as possible – group them by location or activity for easy access later.
This helps if you plan to share them online or create travel content.
Getting organised with your photos early also helps you to work out a way to document them. For example, you can make photo books and collages, as well as photo print outs, with Photobox.
4. Reflect on your trip in a journal
Another you way you can reflect on your recent travels by jotting down thoughts in a journal – writing about your experiences helps cement these memories and can serve as inspiration for future trips.
Focus on specific details—new dishes you tried, unique cultural moments, or unexpected discoveries.
If you’re stuck, here are a few journal prompts that you could use:
- What unexpected experiences did you encounter during your travels, and how did they shape your perspective on the places you visited?
- How did this journey challenge or reaffirm your understanding of the culture(s) you explored?
- What was the most surprising difference between your expectations and the reality of the destination?
- How did the local cuisine influence your understanding of the region, and did it change any perceptions you had before arriving?
- Looking back, what part of your travel routine (packing, transport, accommodation) would you do differently next time?
- Was there a place you visited that left a particularly strong impression on you—what aspects stood out the most?
- Now that you’re back, is there a specific piece of advice you’d give to someone considering visiting the same place?
- If you could relive just one day of your trip, which would it be and why?
5. Prioritise rest and recovery
After the excitement of travelling, it’s easy to overlook how much rest your body needs!
As much as we all love jetsetting, it does take its toll on the body, so make sure you give yourself enough time to rest and get a few good night’s sleep.
Aim to get back into your normal sleep routine as soon as possible, especially if you’ve crossed time zones.
If you’ve been walking a lot or carrying heavy bags, consider light stretches or yoga to release any muscle tension.
Apps like Headspace are useful for guided relaxation if you need help winding down.
6. Organise travel documents and receipts
Returning home is the perfect time to organise any travel documents or receipts. If you’ve kept boarding passes, tickets or expense receipts, decide what to keep and discard.
This is particularly useful if you travel frequently or need to keep track of expenses for work!
Digitalise important documents using apps like Scanner Pro to make them easy to find later.
If you’re organising receipts for a tax return or business trip, it’s best to sort them by date and category. Staying on top of this now will save you time when the paperwork starts piling up.
7. Review your finances post-trip
It’s the step that nobody wants to do… but it’s important!
Once home, take a moment to review your recent spending while travelling.
This helps ensure there are no unexpected charges, especially if you used your card abroad. Double-check any currency conversions and look for any unfamiliar fees.
Virtual banks like Monzo are helpful if you’ve used them for tracking overseas spending.
If you’ve overspent, don’t panic! Just adjust your budget for the coming weeks to stay on track.
You might also want to log expenses if you’re planning to write them off for tax purposes.
8. Start planning your next adventure
The best way to get over travel blues? Get trip planning!
Use downtime to start brainstorming future travel plans.
Think about what you enjoyed in your last trip, any new travel ideas that gave you and what other regions its inspired you to visit.
If you have the means to, you could even get booking your flights!
Adjusting back to everyday life doesn’t have to be a huge hassle! With these steps, returning home post-trip can be much easier.