How I Reset After Travel
After time away, I felt out of rhythm. These products, practices, and perspectives helped me come home to myself.
I just returned from a wonderful two-week vacation with my family—one of those trips where you can feel, even as it’s happening, that the moments will last. Watching my kids light up with new experiences and create core memories felt like pure magic.
But honestly, I’m someone who thrives on home. I look forward to traveling—but I cherish coming back. As we headed home, a quiet excitement rose in me. The moment I walked through the door, I felt more like myself. Home isn’t just where we land—it’s where we realign.
Travel, as joyful and expansive as it is, tends to leave me feeling untethered. The constant motion, the absence of routine, the small decisions that pile up—it all takes a toll. Even the indulgences, fun as they are in the moment, begin to wear on me. By the end of the trip, I felt scattered and out of sync. Grateful for the journey, yes—but ready to feel anchored again.
So this past week, I focused on one thing: self-care. Not in an all-consuming way—I still showed up for my responsibilities—but it became a steady throughline in all my choices. A quiet priority. Not loud or performative, but nourishing and deeply satisfying. The kind that brings me back into rhythm with myself. Making space for it—even in small ways—has left me feeling steady, energized, and truly myself again.
I thought I’d share some of the products, practices, and perspectives that helped me reset—just in case you’re craving a reset of your own.
Products
The small luxuries that made self-care feel sensory and indulgent.
I kept up with my supplements—simple, consistent, and nourishing from the inside out.
I followed my full skincare routine morning and night—it left me calm, refreshed, and a little more radiant.
I let my hair air dry all week—no heat, no rush—making it a gentle part of my haircare routine that gives my hair time to breathe and absorb nourishing hydration.
I wore my favorite soft loungewear at home—cozy, yet still pulled together and elevated.
I took a long bath with my decadent Susanne Kaufmann bath oil—it was the most relaxed I’d felt all week.
Practices
The rituals and routines that brought rhythm back to my days.
I drank plenty of water—staying hydrated (with my favorite electrolytes) helped me feel clearer, more energized, and shed some of that lingering post-travel heaviness.
I moved my body every day—either an at-home workout (I’ve been loving the Fit by Coco app) or a long walk through the neighborhood. It wasn’t about intensity, just consistency.
I went to bed early and woke up early—getting back into my natural rhythm felt like a reset, and helped ease the jet lag.
I thumbed through a new cookbook and tried a few nourishing recipes that made meals feel fresh and inspired. After eating out nearly every meal on the trip, returning to home-cooked food felt good.
I stocked the kitchen with healthy, feel-good foods and did a full pantry clean-out—it instantly made the house feel lighter and more in order.
I organized around the house, sorting through the kids’ clothes to prep for back-to-school. Clearing physical space felt like preparing for a new season.
I listened to my favorite podcasts all week—ones that left me feeling engaged and inspired again.
Perspectives
The mindset shifts that helped me feel more grounded, present, and clear.
I treated rest and care as essentials, not extras.
I gave myself full permission to slow down—without guilt or apology.
I intentionally prioritized time at home—after two weeks away, it was exactly what I needed.
I didn’t make plans. I let the quiet replace the buzz.
I focused on how I wanted to feel, rather than what I thought I should be doing.
This week showed me how powerful small, consistent rituals can be—the quiet, steady acts of care that guide us back to ourselves. I’m grateful for the chance to pause, slow down, and reconnect. If you’re feeling off balance, know you’re not alone. Whatever you’re facing, I hope this encourages you to take a gentle step back and honor what you need—it’s one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.
x Crystal
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