Traveling Soon: 5 Things I Always Do to Make Coming Home Easier
- Janelle Hawk Azar
- May 21
- 5 min read
Summer travel is almost here, and I have to say… I can’t wait for my next getaway! Whether you’re heading to the lake for the weekend, squeezing in a quick road trip, or packing for that long-awaited family vacation, we all love to get away. It’s one of the best things we do for ourselves and our families.
But I think we can all agree—no matter how amazing the vacation is, there’s nothing quite like coming home.
So here’s my one little piece of advice before you walk out the door: Take a few minutes to organize your home before you go. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It definitely doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. Just a few simple resets that make all the difference when you walk back in—sunburned, suitcase in hand, a little tired, and definitely wondering what day it is.
And let’s be real… when we get back, we’re diving straight into reality. Busy schedules. Work. Laundry piles. Catching up on all those emails we’ve been trying to ignore. So here’s my go-to tip: do a little house prep before you leave. Trust me—your future self will thank you.
Here are the 5 things I always do before I hit the road:
Clear Out the Kitchen (Just a Little)
Coming home to molded fruit and mystery leftovers is definitely not the vibe I want to return to. So before we head out, I take 10–15 minutes to do a quick kitchen sweep. I toss anything that’s going to go bad, make sure all the dishes are done, and empty the dishwasher (because no one wants to open that on day one back). I wipe down the counters and make a quick note of anything we’ll need to restock.
And here’s a hot take: I either start my Shipt order or type up a grocery list in my Notes app so I’m not trying to figure it all out exhausted or knee-deep in vacation laundry. Especially when you return on a Sunday and have to work first thing Monday morning! Future-you will be so grateful.
Reset the Laundry
I want to come home to ZERO laundry. When we return from vacation, we usually have a suitcase full of sandy, sweaty, lived-in clothes—so the last thing I want is to walk in and see a full hamper waiting for me.
Before we leave, I do one last load (or two!) of essentials—think towels, sheets, and anything we’ll want clean and ready when we get back. Even if I don’t get it all done, just tackling the basics makes such a difference. And seriously—who doesn't love returning to fresh, clean sheets after a long day of travel? It’s the best welcome home gift you can give yourself.
Pro tip: While we’re on vacation, I always bring a designated “dirty clothes” bag for the suitcase. It keeps things separate and makes unpacking so much easier. No digging around wondering what’s clean or not—just dump the bag into the laundry when you get home. Simple and game-changing.
Empty the Trash (ALL of It)
This one’s easy to skip, but TRUST me—it makes a difference. I always take a few minutes before we leave to do a full trash sweep. Kitchen, bathrooms, office… even that little can in the laundry room that somehow collects dryer lint and empty snack wrappers. It doesn’t take long, but it saves you from walking into a weird smell the second you open the door.
And if you did step #1, you probably just tossed some questionable produce from the fridge. That stuff does not need to sit in your kitchen trash all week while you’re off enjoying vacation vibes. I’ve learned the hard way (ahem, banana peels in July heat…) that it’s so worth the extra five minutes to get every bag out of the house. It’s such a small thing, but it seriously makes coming home feel a whole lot nicer.
Tidy the Drop Zone
You know that spot right by the door where shoes, mail, or your kiddos’ backpacks seem to just accidentally pile up? Yep, that’s the one. Before we head out on a trip, I always take 5 minutes to reset this area. It’s one of those small things that makes a huge difference when you walk back in.
Because honestly, there’s nothing worse than coming home from a great vacation and being greeted by clutter the second you open the door. It instantly brings on that "I need a vacation from my vacation" feeling. But when the entryway feels clear and welcoming? That sets the tone for the whole house. So I’ll do a quick sweep—put away shoes, toss stray bags back in the closet, and sort that stack of mail that somehow appears out of nowhere. And if you’re a school-backpack house, this is a great time to make sure lunchboxes are emptied, paperwork is dealt with, and anything that needs to be turned in is ready to go. It’s such a simple reset, but I swear it makes settling back in feel way easier.
Do the Small Randoms
It’s easy to ignore the little stuff—until you walk back in the door and wish you hadn’t. This is your reminder to knock out a few of those before you head out.
I’ll do a quick walk-through and hit the tiny but mighty tasks:
💧 Water the plants so I’m not returning to a sad, crispy situation.
🧼 Wipe down the bathroom sinks so there’s no toothpaste crust greeting me when I’m just trying to wash my face and crawl into bed.
🌡️ Set the thermostat — I’ve got mine connected to an app, so I always make sure it’s working, and that the schedule is set to vacation mode. Saves us from walking into a sauna or an icebox.
🕶️ Put away any random clutter — the socks on the stairs, the sunglasses on the counter, the Amazon box you meant to recycle.
🧻 And if I’m feeling really on top of it, I’ll even toss in a couple of fresh hand towels in the bathroom or kitchen.
None of these take more than a minute or two, but collectively? They make the house feel ready for our return—calm, clean, and not yelling at me to get it together the minute I walk in the door.
A Little Prep Goes a Long Way
I know life gets really full before a trip—you’re trying to wrap up work, finish emails, pack for everyone, charge the devices, not forget someone’s toothbrush, and maybe even squeeze in a last-minute Target run. But I promise, taking just a little time to reset your space before you walk out the door is so worth it. You don’t have to deep clean or go overboard. Just a few intentional things—like finishing that last load of laundry, clearing the entryway, or making sure your grocery list is ready to go—that make coming home feel peaceful instead of chaotic. There’s nothing better than walking in the door after a great vacation and thinking, ahh, home. Your future self will be high-fiving you the second you kick off your shoes. Where are you headed this summer—and what’s one thing you always do before you leave? I’d love to hear your little rituals too.
Happy travels, friends!
Thanks for following along on our journey as we declutter and organize!
XOXO-
Janelle
& The A Meaningful Space Team
