Packing for a trip? Easy. That’s the fun part or at least to me…
Coming home to a messy space after traveling all day? Absolutely not.
Before I leave for any trip, I do what I call a pre-trip reset. Not because I’m trying to romanticize cleaning, but because future me deserves peace. I want to walk in, drop my bags, shower, and relax without immediately feeling overwhelmed.
Here’s what I clean every single time before I leave.
1. Laundry Gets DONE (Especially the Sheets)
All dirty clothes? Washed.
Towels? Washed.
Sheets? Absolutely washed.
There is nothing better than coming home tired, jet-lagged, or overstimulated and crawling into clean sheets. Nothing. I don’t care how late it is, clean sheets are a non-negotiable!
2. Dishes + Sink Reset
No dishes in the sink. Ever.
Before I leave:
- Dishwasher is run or emptied
- Sink is empty
- Counters are wiped down
Coming home to old dishes is one of the quickest ways to kill the post-trip vibe. I want my kitchen to feel ready to cook in, probably because I am craving a home cooked meal not a big ball of stress.
3. The Fridge Gets a Reality Check
This is where I have to be honest with myself.
If I know I’m not eating it when I get back — it goes.
- Leftovers
- Expired food
- That random container I don’t remember cooking
I also take the trash out right before leaving. I refuse to come home to bad smells.
4. Bathroom Reset
- Clean the toilet
- Wipe the sink
- Clean the mirror
- Put out fresh towels
I want to be able to shower immediately when I get home without feeling gross or annoyed.
5. Vacuum
I vacuum:
- Bedroom
- Living area
- Anywhere I walk barefoot
EVERYWHERE
6. Trash Out. Always.
This deserves its own section because it is THAT important.
All trash goes out.
No exceptions.
No “I’ll deal with it later.”
7. Set the Space for When I Get Back
This part isn’t required, but it changes everything:
- Fresh sheets on the bed
- Mop and prep common spaces
- Everything generally in its place
I don’t want to come home and immediately start fixing things. I want to come home and rest.
Final Thoughts
This reset isn’t about being perfect or productive. It’s about protecting your peace. Traveling already takes energy coming home shouldn’t take more.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that future you is always watching. And she remembers when you made life easier for her. Have fun preparing for your trip I know I will up next Puerto Rico!!! TTYL
BIG GIRL TIME 
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