5 Ways to Avoid Post-Vacation Stress and Clutter: A Professional Organizer’s Guide
January 3, 2025
We’ve all been there – returning home from an amazing vacation only to be met by the dreaded, ever-mounting to-do list. There’s nothing else that dampens that vacation afterglow more than post-vocation overwhelm. Even worse, the anticipation of coming home to chaos can prevent you from fully relaxing during your vacation with that nagging to-do list lurking in the back of your mind.
Take it from me, a professional organizer in San Diego and longtime traveler (both with and without kids) – there are proven strategies to keep that vacation glow going long after you return home. Over the years, I’ve developed a system that helps my clients transition seamlessly from vacation mode back to everyday life, allowing them to truly enjoy both their time away and their return home. The secret? Avoiding post-vacation chaos starts before you even leave.
1. Reset Your Space (Yes, Even If You're Running Late)
Trust me, I know the pre-trip rush all too well. You’re running around packing last-minute items, double-checking travel documents, and trying to remember if you packed enough socks. But here’s what I tell all my clients: take those extra 20-30 minutes to reset your space. Make the beds, clear the kitchen counters, and do a quick wipe-down of bathroom surfaces.
Why? Because your future self will thank you. There’s nothing quite like walking into a tidy home after a long day of travel. It’s like giving yourself permission to ease back into reality, rather than being smacked in the face with chaos the moment you open the door.
Pro Tip: One of my favorite tricks!
Place fresh eucalyptus stems in water-filled vases throughout your home, especially in bathrooms and the kitchen. It’s nature’s air freshener and pest deterrent in one – your house will smell fresh and clean when you return, not stale and stuffy like most homes do after being closed up.
2. Tackle Those Errands (With a Strategy)
Last-minute errands before a trip are stressful, but leaving them until you return is even worse. My solution? Create a pre-trip checklist and tackle it 3–4 days before departure:
- Pet and child care coordination
- Mail holds and package arrangements
- Returns and dry cleaning
- Car maintenance (if driving)
This buffer ensures you’re not cramming errands between packing and organizing kids. It’s one of the best ways to avoid post-vacation stress.
3. The Laundry Game
Let’s talk about laundry – that endless cycle that seems to multiply the moment you turn your back. Don’t let that happen to you during your precious vacation time. After years of battling the laundry monster, Here’s how I avoid a post-vacation laundry mountain with this simple pre-trip checklist:
Before leaving:
- Run all loads, including that random sock you found under the couch
- Put clean laundry away (this is crucial!)
- Leave empty hampers in everyone’s rooms
After returning:
- Immediately sort travel clothes into loads (don’t let that suitcase sit in the corner – we’ve all been there)
- Start one load right away
- Use the unpacking process to sort remainder of laundry in appropriate laundry baskets
Pro Tip: Give kids their own small laundry bags for travel.
It makes sorting so much easier when you return, and they can help with the process.
4. Smart Grocery Planning
Nothing adds to post-vacation stress quite like an empty fridge, especially with kids. Schedule grocery delivery for 1-2 hours after your planned return time to to ensure you have the essentials:
- Easy breakfast items
- Snacks (because everyone’s always hungry after traveling)
- Simple dinner ingredients for the first night back
- Fresh fruits (they help with that post-vacation reset)
- Basics like milk, bread, and eggs
Don’t forget to add wiggle room for delivery time – flights get delayed, traffic happens, and that’s okay. Having a “post-vocation” grocery checklist ready makes this step even easier.
5. The Buffer Day Rule
Make sure to schedule some extra time between your return and jumping back into regular life. I know we all want to maximize vacation days. But the reality is, trying to go straight from vacation to full-speed real life is exhausting.
Plan your return for early afternoon when possible. This timing sweet spot gives you enough energy and daylight to tackle unpacking and a load or two of laundry without feeling rushed. Use this time to:
- Properly unpack and organize travel items
- Get your family back into normal sleep patterns
- Prep for the week ahead
- Catch up on essential communications
This buffer allows you to ease back into your routine without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Making It Work For You
This buffer ensures you’re not cramming errands between packing and organizing kids. Plus, you’ll have wiggle room for any last-minute tasks that pop up.
Here’s the thing about organizing systems – they need to work for your real life, not some idealized version of it. Start with the strategies that resonate with you, and adapt them to fit your family’s needs. The goal is to create enough order that you can maintain that vacation afterglow just a little bit longer.
I’m always learning from my clients and love seeing what tips and tricks other families use. Have a favorite post-vocation organizing routine? I’d love to hear it!
Stay Organized, Even After Your Vacation
As you plan your trip, consider how you’ll transition back into home life. To make returning to a clutter-free home easier, a Custom DIY Organizing Plan can help you create a practical system that works for you—whether you’re at home or away.
Learn more and get started with a personalized plan.
