The Ultimate Return from Vacation Checklist (Get back on track FAST!)

Don’t let the stress of returning from a trip ruin your week.

Instead, easily transition back into a routine and get organized by following a post-travel to-do list.

This is a simple and easy way to ensure a stress-free return from vacation.

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Get Organized Fast!

Before you get started, easily turn your return from vacation checklist into a project to easily focus your efforts and manage your time using this easy-to-use free project planning checklist and planner.

Learn how to conquer the project planning process in ten easy steps. This is one of the best productivity tips for college students looking to stay organized and better their time management. Includes a free project planning printable to stay organized and accomplish your biggest tasks. Read now to learn more time management and productivity tips!

The Ultimate Return from Vacation Checklist

Before you continue, be sure to pull out a sheet of paper, notebook, blank document, or whatever you prefer to take notes on. As you skim the list below, you can jot down any tasks that apply to you.

This way, by the time you’re done reading this list, you’ll have your very own, customized post-travel checklist ready to go!

Tip: You can edit the free project planner pdf (download above) with your chosen post-travel tasks and save it to your computer. This way, the list is completely customized to fit your needs and can be quickly printed after every trip! 🙂

Travel-Related Tasks

Unpack your vehicle
Clean your vehicle
Unpack your bags
Clean your bags
Put away all items from your trip
Run, fold, and put away laundry
Clean and sanitize all essential items (phone, keys, electronics, etc.)
Check-in with house or pet sitter
Pick up pets from the pet sitter
Review your bank statements
Check-in with your monthly budget (if you haven’t created one yet, here’s how!)
Exchange any foreign currency

Home-Related Tasks

Walk around the outside of your home (to make sure everything looks okay)
Walk around the inside of your home
Check to ensure your internet, cable, electricity, gas, etc. are all in working order
Check-in on pets (feed, water, litter, medications, extra cuddles, etc.)
Water the plants
Check the mail (and sort through it now)
Charge all devices
Plug in anything you may have unplugged before the trip (like appliances)

Prepare for the Upcoming Week

Clean out the fridge
Take out the garbage
Meal plan for the week (here is a complete guide to meal planning)
Order and pick up groceries (or just go grocery shopping)
Put away all groceries
Prep your meals for the upcoming week
Declutter the house after the inevitable unpacking mess
Check that your alarm clock is set for tomorrow
Clean the kitchen and rotate dishes
Complete anything else on your Weekly Prep Routine

Return from Vacation Personal Planning Tasks

Check your calendar
Plan the upcoming week (Need help? Use this foolproof weekly planning checklist)
Set up a quick health challenge to give you a health boost (more details below)
Sketch out new bedtimes to gradually work back to your normal bedtime routine
Check your personal email

Back to Work after Vacation Checklist

Brainstorm and create a comprehensive to-do list
Plan out the week
Sort through your work emails (tip: if there is a lot, just try doing this in 10-minute chunks or seriously consider a mass deletion)
Check-in with coworkers and your supervisor
Make a plan to prioritize your mental and physical health (take frequent breaks, meditate during your lunch break, etc.)

7-Day Health Challenge

After a long trip, you might feel like your body needs a bit of love. One great way to reset your body and mind is to complete a 7-Day health challenge (or however long your feel necessary).

My favorite way to do this is by creating a list of healthy habits I want to complete each day and assigning them each 1 point. If I reach, let’s say, ten points each day for 7 days straight, I will give myself a reward!

This is a flexible and fun way to boost your health. You can easily track your progress using this simple habit tracker printable and if you’re in need of a fun reward idea, here are 99 cheap and fun ideas.

Here are some habit ideas:

Drink an immune-boosting drink (like Nuun Immunity)
Drink 8 glasses of water
Meditate
Go on a long walk each evening
Eat 3+ produce
Eat as many greens as possible
No alcohol or sugar
Exercise for 10 minutes (then 15, 20, 25, etc. each day, working up to your normal schedule)
Go to bed by 10 pm each night to get 7+ hours of sleep
Complete 50% (then 60%, 70%, etc. each day, working up to 100%) of your normal morning, afternoon, and evening routines
Finish working by no later than 7 pm

Top Return From Vacation Tips

In addition, here are some top return from vacation tips to keep in mind:

Take an additional day off to give you extra time to complete this list and to have as a buffer day in case you get sick, your flight gets delayed, etc.
Try returning to work mid-week (plane tickets are cheaper and it shortness your work week)
Head to work early on your first day back to get a head-start
Incorporate self-care and fun activities throughout the workweek after your vacation to help beat post-vacation blues (like meditation and journaling, going out to a fun lunch spot, hitting the movie theater mid-week, etc.)
Prepare freezer meals before you leave, so you can use them for quick dinners your first week back… this is a game-changer!
Delegate as many home and work tasks as you can, or just delete them off your list entirely
If you haven’t left for your trip yet, be sure to complete a Pre-Trip Checklist – this sets you up for success after your vacation!

The Ultimate Return from Vacation Checklist (Get back on track FAST!)

Get Organized Fast!