Pressing the reset button
After travel or when your routines have gone off the rails
I am a person that prides myself on generally having my sh*t together. I run my life like a miniature business, with a strategic and fairly type-A approach. Organized lists, spreadsheets, 1-year plans, 5-year visions, recorded morning routines that I constantly optimize, systems for backstocking critical items — but sometimes, despite my best efforts, things go awry.
I don’t know about you, but I am the best version of myself when I stick to my most healthy daily habits. And for whatever reason, when chaos strikes, I tend to reach for habits that hurt, not help, like opening a bottle of wine on a weeknight.
Our beach trip last week was circled on the calendar in big, bold letters as my moment to hit reset on various flavors of chaos. I’ll spare you all the gritty details, but it’s been eight weeks of revolving sickness in our house, a corporate reorg that brought a big job change (my second this year), a kitchen renovation (exciting, but a mess), and an over-the-top allergic reaction to all the dust. I’ve been treading water.
And while the Instagram photos from last week show sun-soaked bliss, midway through the trip, my husband and I caught a nasty virus from our kids — 103-degree fevers included. Don’t worry, we had a wonderful, memory-filled trip otherwise.
When we arrived home last week (also amid the news of the heartwrenching Texas floods that have consumed my every thought this week), I felt the need to press the reset button from the prior several months and the vacation that was supposed to “reset” me.
Part of the beauty of travel is the lack of routine, of habit, and the ability to not have the rigidity that everyday life sometimes requires. And as beautiful as it is, I think it is fairly normal to want to “get back to routine” after a trip, whether from overindulgence or from breaking your regular rhythm. Here’s how I’ve been doing that below.
My framework to reset after vacation
Resetting the organization of our life:
The to-do list: During the pandemic, my husband and I came up with what we have found to be a simple, effective (and perhaps brilliant?) way to organize our daily lives. We have a shared Google doc that is a calendar, to-do list, and reminder all in one, with color coding on who the “owner” of the task is and recurring templates to show what’s on deck for the week. Returning from travel means auditing, organizing, and flagging top priorities so that we know what the heck is happening next.
Systems for weekly priorities: Part of my morning and evening routines involve the 5-minute Journal (on Prime Day sale) and The Best Year Journal from Intelligent Change. These often go by the wayside on vacation. The Best Year Journal is my favorite for setting weekly and annual goals and then reflecting on them.
Resetting our home:
Unpacking: There are memes galore about people who arrive at a hotel and immediately unpack their things (that’s us). And we also operate on the other end, where we immediately unpack, sort, and start laundry upon entering our home. The faster we are “back to normal,” the better.
Restocking: One of my favorite things to do is order groceries on the flight home so they are ready for pick-up (or have been delivered) when we are en route from the airport. It is one less thing to do, and I am always grateful to have everything I need in the fridge the next day.
Resetting my body:
Immune support: Mia Rigden turned me on to the power combo of Glutathione + Liposomal Vitamin C. If I am feeling worn down, or feel a cold coming on, this is Step 1.
Sauna: We splurged on an infrared sauna earlier this year, and we notice a significant difference in sleep and recovery when we are on a regular, every other day routine. Also good to sweat out the vacation drinks and sweets.
Lymphatic drainage + detox baths: I am not a big fan of dry brushing, but I do love this lymphatic drainage tool that I use when time permits. I also love following this protocol at least once a week.
Skincare routine: Perhaps my most beloved, albeit a bit expensive, form of self-care is my mid-thirties skincare routine. I am not as committed when traveling, and it always shows. This LED mask, retinol, and the cult Super Hydrator are my top three atm.
Electrolytes and protein water: No explanation needed. Favorite electrolytes (no weird salt taste) and clear protein mix.
Resetting my mind:
Morning walks: Whether 15 minutes or a full hour, my best thinking, listening, praying, and catching up happen outside on a walk.
Morning quiet time: I wake up at least an hour before my kids — it’s the only way I know how to get my head right for the day. A forever non-negotiable for me.
Curious if any of you feel the same way when returning from a trip? What do you do to get “back to normal?”
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