How I get back into my routine and organize myself for the week ahead…
Click the pic to check out this video on how I pack for a weekend away!
I absolutely love getting away for the weekend. It helps break up the monotony from my day-to-day life during the week. It also gives me something extra special to look forward to when Friday rolls around. On the other hand, spending the weekend away from home takes me out of my normal routine and can sometimes leave me feeling overwhelmed when I walk back through the door.
Having just gotten back from a weekend at my mom’s house in PA, I wanted to share some ways I help myself get back into the swing of things and prepare for the upcoming week. To be honest, I start before I even leave.
Before leaving…
I like to make sure I have as little work to do as possible when I come home. This usually means taking time to put away laundry, wash my sheets and make my bed, and clean up any little messes throughout the house. This past weekend, I actually didn’t get to do everything I would normally do before heading out, which meant I had to wash my dirty sheets when I got home.
Making sure these tasks are done beforehand really helps manage any feeling of anxiety or overwhelm I might feel. Plus, coming home knowing I can just relax after all my traveling just gives me a sense of relief.
Things I do before leaving on a trip:
- Put away any clean laundry or do a load if necessary
- Clean my sheets and make my bed
- Organize any messes such as papers or random items lying around
- Vacuum and mop the floors
- Make sure the dishwasher is empty
- Take out the trash
- Give my kitties lots of love before I head out
When I get home…
I always unpack first thing. Maybe that’s not your jam, but to me it’s the first step in getting back into my normal flow. Any dirty clothes go right into the hamper, clean clothes go back into my dresser, toiletries placed back in the bathroom, and my luggage stored away in the closet.
Not only does this help me feel like everything’s in it’s place, reducing my anxiety, but it also is one thing checked off my to-do list, which helps boost my motivation. Once I give myself some time to unwind from an eventful few days, I start preparing myself for the week ahead.
Things I do to prepare for my week after a weekend away:
- Empty my car of any trash and give it a wash if needed (or if I have the energy)
- Make sure all my clothes and toiletries are put away properly and my luggage is stored away
- Light prep for any meals during the week
- Write down my schedule in my planner for the upcoming week
- Lay out clothes for the next day
- Give the cats their long-awaited attention
- Shower and get to bed early (aka watch TikToks for 4 hours before bed, but at least I’m in bed)
I don’t always do these things; like I mentioned I forgot to do my sheets this time. But it’s good to have a plan to fall back on, especially for someone like me who has trouble with change and adjusting from one environment to another.
Being proactive helps save me from the anxiety, frustration, overwhelm, and exhaustion of coming home to a messy house. If you’re anything like me, let me know what you do to reset after time away from home.