3 Gentle Ways to Recover From Post-Vacation Burnout

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Back From Vacation? Feeling… Frazzled?

We just got home from our North Carolina trip, and while my heart feels full, my body is definitely still in “slow mode.” 😅

Coming back from vacation is always a bit of a whirlwind. 🌊

You unpack your bags, but your mind is still lounging by the ocean or sipping iced coffee on a porch somewhere.

 And let’s be honest—sometimes you need a vacation just to recover from your vacation.

You know that feeling where:

You know that feeling where:

The laundry piles are waiting,

Your inbox is blinking,

And the to-do list is creeping back in—but your soul just isn’t ready to go 0 to 100?

Oh—and let’s not forget there’s no food in the house, and absolutely no desire to go grocery shopping. 🛒😩

As much as I love a change of scenery, I’ve learned that easing back into real life softly makes all the difference.

So instead of spiraling into post-vacation chaos, I’m leaning into slow reentry…

Here are 3 gentle ways I’m reentering real life this week (without letting the post-vacation blues take over):

1. Start With a No-Pressure Plan

I don’t know about you, but when I come back from vacation, I can go into crazy mode and suddenly want to get everything done all at once. 😅

Instead of diving into a full schedule, I’m easing in by making a soft, no-pressure plan for the week. Not a strict to-do list—just a few anchors like:

What meals we’ll eat

Which day I’ll tackle laundry

When I want to grocery shop or restock the fridge

Having a light roadmap helps me feel grounded without feeling overwhelmed. It’s less about doing it all and more about knowing what can wait.

✨ Soft tip: Give yourself permission to push something to next week—it’s not procrastination, it’s pacing.

2. Reset in Small, Manageable Chunks

The urge to catch up on everything at once is real—but I’ve learned that it just leads to stress and more chaos 😅.

 So this time, I’m breaking things into 20-minute reset blocks.

Tidy one area, throw in a load of laundry, and then pause. Step outside, stretch, drink water.

This keeps my nervous system regulated and makes the home feel peaceful again, one corner at a time.

✨ Soft tip: Make a “reset list” of 3 things max—anything more is extra.

 

Bonus: Set Yourself Up Before the Trip

One thing that’s made a huge difference for me is making it a must-do to clean the house before we leave.

 It might feel like extra work on the front end, but coming home to a fresh, peaceful space is everything.

The beds are made,

 the counters are clear,

 and I’m not instantly met with chaos when we walk in the door. 

It creates space to rest and settle in gently—without diving into laundry or dishes right away.

✨Soft tip: Before your next trip, try doing a light reset the night before you leave—your future self will thank you.

3. Reconnect With One Familiar Ritual

The first day home, I always return to one cozy ritual that makes me feel grounded again

Brewing my morning coffee, 

Taking a warm bath, 

or walking barefoot around the yard.

After being away, doing something familiar and comforting helps me feel like myself again.

Like my nervous system is saying, “Okay, we’re home now.”

✨Soft tip: Don’t overthink it—your ritual doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a few quiet moments with something that feels like you is enough.

Post Vacation Reset

Getting away on vacation filled my cup in the best way

—time with my husband and parents, space to breathe, and a break from the usual routine. 

But I’ll admit, I still dread the return home sometimes.

These 3 gentle steps have made that transition so much softer. 

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I can ease back in with intention, let my mind relax, and give myself the space to start slow.

if you’re finding yourself in that post-trip fog, just know—it’s okay to take your time.

You’re allowed to come home slowly.
To tidy one corner at a time.
To unpack when it feels right.
To sip coffee barefoot in the yard and just be.

Here’s to creating a life we don’t need a vacation from—and giving ourselves grace along the way. ☁️🏡