What to Do Immediately When You Get Home From Vacation, According to Experts
Ah, vacation! Those lazy mornings, indulgent nights, and carefree days now feel like a distant dream as you step back into reality. But hold on before you collapse on the couch or scroll Instagram to mourn the end of your trip. Transitioning from vacation mode to home life doesn’t have to be a buzzkill; it can actually help you set a fresh tone for the days ahead. Here’s what the pros have to say about the steps you should take the moment you get home from vacation.
Unpack Like a Pro (Don’t Procrastinate!)
Yes, the suitcase glaring at you from the corner can wait—but should it? Experts agree that you should tackle the unpacking first when you get home from vacation. Lainy Hoffstein, founder of TINKR, says it best: “Unpacking sets the tone for the week ahead. The longer you wait, the more it turns into mental and visual clutter.” And honestly? She’s right.
Start with the essentials. Pull out your toiletries, skincare products, or anything else you’ll need immediately. Toss dirty laundry straight into the hamper (or better, the washing machine) and get shoes back into your closet. Got souvenirs? Display or tuck those away ASAP. And the suitcase? Wipe it down, especially if it traveled through some less-than-clean airport conveyor belts, and store it neatly.
Deal With Your Laundry First
No one wants to run out of clean underwear midway through the week. Michelle Urban of The Organized House recommends prioritizing laundry, especially those damp swimsuits or workout clothes that may have taken a beating in your suitcase.
Toss in one load immediately when you get home from vacation, even if it’s just the essentials. If you’ve got a mountain of laundry and limited energy to climb it, focus on one category at a time (like travel clothes or your kiddo’s sandy beach gear). The goal isn’t to finish it all at once but to start the process. One load completed is a win.
Check Your Mail (Before It Becomes a Pile of Doom)
Whether it’s promotional flyers or an overdue bill, letting your mail sit untouched when you get home from vacation is a recipe for chaos. Not to mention, there could be something important in there (hello, jury summons!).
Gather all mail and immediately sort it where you’ll deal with it (think your kitchen counter or office). Toss the junk straightaway. For bills or documents, keep them in view and set reminders to address them soon. Oh, and don’t forget to check your email inbox too. Rip off the Band-Aid by marking spam and urgent messages as quickly as possible. Bonus points if you clean out your inbox entirely.
Restock the Kitchen With the Good Stuff
After days of eating out or snacking on vacation staples, your body (and wallet) will thank you for a home-cooked meal. Kelly Livingston, founder of Professional Organizer MN, recommends setting yourself up for the week with a fridge full of essentials.
Order groceries for delivery on your last travel day (genius!) or do a quick grocery run on your way home. Stock up on eggs, fresh veggies, fruits, and any staples you can cook easily. If everything feels overwhelming, plan for a frozen meal or easy recipe to keep things simple on your first day home from vacation.
Make Your Space Feel Alive Again
After being unoccupied for days, your house can feel stale. Freshening it up can do wonders for your mood (and productivity). Scott Schrader from CottageCare suggests turning on appliances, checking air quality, and giving your floors a quick once-over.
Open those windows for a hit of fresh air or pop on your favorite candle to infuse the space with a comforting scent. If you’re feeling ambitious, run your vacuum around common areas (because dust never takes a vacation, unfortunately). Replug essential appliances like your dehumidifier or coffee maker to slip right back into your routine.
Show Some Love to Your Plants
Your poor indoor jungle has been soldiering on without you, which means the soil is probably dry, and your green babies could look a little droopy (been there).
Check all your plants for dryness or dehydration. Water them, prune brown leaves, and rotate them to take in the right amount of light. If one of your plants looks too far gone to recover, don’t give up hope just yet. Sometimes, a little TLC works miracles.
Take Care of Trash Duty
Coming home from vacation to an overflowing trash situation can dampen anyone’s spirits. Plus, you’ll likely generate waste quickly with travel extras, like ticket stubs or wrappers. Line all the bins in your home immediately so each room stays trash-can ready. If it’s trash pickup day, drag your garbage bins to the curb to avoid missing the schedule.
Relive the Vacation Through Your Photos
The best way to fight post-vacation blues is to keep those happy moments alive. Reflecting on your trip brings back the joy and nostalgia in small, delightful ways.
Go through your photos while the details are still fresh. Create a travel folder and select your favorite shots for printing, sharing on social media, or making a photo journal. Don’t wait too long; if you’re like most of us, photos tend to languish in digital storage, forgotten and unshared.
Send a Quick “I’m Back!” Message
Taking a moment to notify a loved one you’re home from vacation can be grounding. Plus, sharing a post-trip story or simply venting about the return to “real life” is always better when done with people who care.
A simple text to your family or friends saying, “I’m back!” can suffice. If you’ve got more time, make a quick call and share your adventures. Bonus points if they live locally and can come over for a “welcome back” coffee catch-up.
Home from Vacation
Coming back from vacation doesn’t mean the fun stops. With these tips, you can slide back into everyday life without a scattered, chaotic mess waiting for you. Plus, the sooner you get your life together, the sooner you can daydream about your next getaway. Now, make those piles of laundry your first challenge and start fresh!
