The Real Challenge of Travel Isn’t Leaving — It’s Coming Home
Boarding a private plane, Leemore - California.
Why the hardest part of travel isn’t leaving - It’s returning. No one talks about the crash that comes after the high of adventure. Here’s how to navigate post-trip blues and soften the landing.
Travel can feel like magic: new places, new foods, new experiences. But while everyone talks about the excitement of planning and the thrill of adventure, few discuss the other side—the emotional crash when you return home.
I’ve felt it after major life trips—my wedding abroad, and most recently, my journey through the Maritimes on Canada’s east coast. Coming home can be unexpectedly hard, leaving you with a mix of fatigue, nostalgia, and even guilt.
Before you go, there’s a crescendo of anticipation: planning, Pinterest boards, booking the experiences you’ve dreamed of. During the trip, everything is novelyour senses heightened, your nervous system buzzing, your mind fully alive. But then, suddenly, you’re back. Laundry, work emails, and everyday commitments greet you like an uninvited guest. And the joy of the trip can feel overshadowed by the mundane.
Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia - Canada
So how do you land softly? Here are some rituals I rely on to ease the transition…
1. Prepare your home before you leave
Clean, tidy, and organize so your return feels welcoming rather than overwhelming. Think of it as giving your future self a gift.
2. Unpack physically and energetically
Unpacking your suitcase, washing sheets, and putting things away helps your mind close the chapter and emotionally process the trip.
3. Schedule small joys
The magic of travel doesn’t have to end when you touch down. Plan little adventures at home—a dinner out, a local hike, or even a quiet moment in nature.
4. Be gentle with yourself
Don’t let your inner critic rush you back to full speed. Travel takes more out of you than you realize; give yourself time to reintegrate.
5. Reframe “back to reality”
Instead of seeing home as a comedown, view it as integration time—your nervous system catching up and grounding the experiences you just had.
6. Stay in gratitude, not comparison
Scroll your photos for joy, not judgment. Let them remind you of the life you said yes to, not what you’ve lost.
North Star Beach Suites, Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia - Canada
Coming home is part of the journey. Travel doesn’t truly end when the plane lands—it ends when you arrive back in yourself.
For a deeper dive into my East Coast Canada adventure, including how I balanced fun, wellness, and the post-trip blues, you can read the full article on my Substack here.
