Welcome home, globetrotter! You made it back—hopefully with memories, not just souvenirs. But before you crash into bed or start planning your next getaway (guilty), here’s a post-trip checklist to help you reset, recover, and wrap up your adventure like a pro.
🧳 1. Unpack (Yes, all the way. No, not just the souvenirs.)
It’s tempting to leave your suitcase half-zipped in the corner and just live out of it for the next week. But let’s be real—it’s way more stressful when you’re digging for socks every morning. Get it over with in one go: toss laundry in the basket, restock your toiletries, and return any random items you borrowed from your closet back home. Your space (and your brain) will feel instantly lighter.
🧼 2. Do the Laundry (Before the smells become… extra.)
Your beachwear and hiking gear have seen things. Do yourself a favor and get everything washed and freshened up. Honestly, my husband is SO MUCH BETTER at this than I am…Pro tip: if you’re really jet-lagged, start one load and take a nap. It’s the closest thing to multitasking that doesn’t feel like work.
📩 3. File Any Travel Claims (Don’t wait until the refund window closes!)
If something went wrong during your travels—flight delay, lost luggage, hotel mix-up, unexpected illness—it might be eligible for a refund or insurance claim. Check with:
- ✈️ Airlines (for cancellations, delays, or baggage issues)
- 🏨 The hotel (if things weren’t up to standard)
- 🛡️ Your travel insurance provider (trip interruption, medical needs, etc.)
Most companies have strict deadlines, so don’t put this one off. Even if the refund is small, it’s still money back in your pocket. You would be surprised at some of the documents that you need to submit, so make it easier on yourself and just make the claim ASAP.
💳 4. Review Your Bank & Credit Card Statements
Traveling often means random charges, foreign transaction fees, and sneaky service tips. Give your accounts a once-over to make sure nothing sketchy popped up. It’s also a great time to categorize expenses—especially if you’re budgeting or writing it off for business.
📸 5. Back Up and Organize Your Photos
Don’t let your travel memories live solely on your phone or in the cloud. Take a few minutes to back them up to Google Photos, Dropbox, or an external hard drive. Create folders by destination or date, and favorite your best shots. I always like to make a shared album with my travel companion if we didn’t Airdrop our photos back and forth along the way. You’ll be so glad you did when you’re making a photo book or reminiscing a few months down the road.
💧 6. Rehydrate, Reboot, and Rest
Travel—especially across time zones—can throw your body out of whack. You might feel a bit “meh” for a few days. Drink plenty of water, go for a walk in the sun, and try to get your sleep schedule back on track. It’s okay to ease back into your routine. Your inbox can wait.
🥗 7. Skip the Grocery Store—Order a GreenChef Box Instead
Let’s be honest: coming home to an empty fridge is the worst. But heading to the grocery store when you’re jet-lagged isn’t much better. Save your energy and order a GreenChef box (or your fave meal kit). It’s a fast way to get back into healthy habits without the overwhelm of cooking from scratch. Plus, it feels like a little welcome-home gift to yourself.
Curious about GreenChef? Use my referral link to get a free week of meals and see how easy it is to eat well without the grocery run! 🍴✨
📝 8. Journal or Reflect on the Trip (Before the Details Fade)
What did you love? What would you skip next time? Where do you want to go back? Write down a few notes while the trip is still fresh—it doesn’t have to be poetic. Even a voice memo or a quick note in your phone can help you remember the highlights and lessons learned. Nothing is worse than a friend asking for a rec, and you don’t have any notes about that cute little cafe you made an impromptu stop at.
⭐ 9. Leave Honest Reviews (Be the traveler you wish to see in the world)
Take a few minutes to leave reviews for your Airbnb, hotel, restaurants, tour guides, or excursions. Good feedback helps small businesses, and honest critiques help other travelers. It’s a great way to pay it forward in the travel community.
🗺️ 10. Start Planning the Next Adventure
I know, I know—you just got back. But having something new on the horizon makes the return-to-reality a little sweeter. Whether it’s saving ideas to Pinterest, checking flight deals, or dreaming up a destination, allow yourself to get excited about what’s next.
✨ What’s the first thing YOU always do when you get home from a trip? Drop your go-to habit in the comments—I’m always curious what other travelers swear by!
