Unpacking More Than Your Suitcase

Your are home - Now What... The suitcase is unpacked. The laundry is folded and put away.

The refrigerator is stocked again. Everything is back where it belongs.

Or is it?

After a summer vacation or even a busy Fourth of July weekend, I sometimes notice that while my house is back in order, I don’t quite feel the same. Maybe you’ve experienced it too.

You had a wonderful time visiting family, seeing new places, laughing with friends, or celebrating the holiday. The memories are priceless, but your body feels tired. Your mind feels a little scattered. You may even wonder why you’re exhausted after doing things you truly enjoyed. I’ve learned that coming home isn’t just about unpacking a suitcase. It’s also about giving my nervous system time to unpack.

Travel is exciting, but it asks a lot of our bodies. We sleep in different beds, eat different foods, spend hours in the car or at the airport, and often try to fit as much as possible into every day. Even happy moments require energy.

Then we come home and jump right back into our routines, expecting ourselves to pick up where we left off. But our bodies often need something different. They need a little grace.

Giving Yourself Permission to Recover

Years ago, I would come home from a trip and immediately start catching up on everything I had missed. Emails. Laundry. Groceries. Appointments. Before I knew it, the feeling of being refreshed had disappeared. Now I try to do things a little differently.

Sometimes that means leaving one day on the calendar with nothing planned. Sometimes it means sitting on the patio with my morning coffee and simply listening to the birds. Sometimes it means taking a nap without feeling guilty. Those quiet moments help my nervous system remember what calm feels like.

Returning to Simple Routines

I’ve found that simple routines help me settle back into everyday life. I start drinking more water.

I take a walk outside. I spend a few quiet minutes in prayer and meditation.

I breathe a little slower. These aren’t big changes.

They’re gentle reminders to my body that it’s safe to relax again.

Back on the Trail

One of the things that helps me reconnect after a busy holiday or trip is getting back outside.

Every summer I spend time hiking as I prepare for my September backpacking adventure. The trail has a way of helping me slow down, clear my mind, and remember what really matters. Nature doesn’t rush, and when I’m hiking, I’m reminded that I don’t have to rush either. Whether it’s a short walk through a local park or a day on your favorite trail, spending time outdoors can help your nervous system settle after the excitement of travel.

Essential Oils That Travel With Me

Along with my suitcase or backpack, I always carry a few of my favorite pure, tested-grade oils from doTERRA”,“essential oils. When I have a road trip, I do have a travel diffuser that fits in my cup holder and I regularly diffuse Adaptiv or Peppermint to keep me calm and wake.

These are the ones I reach for most often:

·      Peppermint for a cooling sensation after a long hike and a refreshing boost.

·      Lavender and Frankincense  to help me relax at the end of the day.

·      Deep Blue Stick and my recipe for a Deep Blue® 10 ml roller (10 drops with 10 drops of Copiaba) for tired muscles after a day on the trail

·      TerraShield® to keep those nasty bugs away when I’m enjoying time outdoors.

Sometimes it’s the familiar aroma that reminds my body it’s finally time to relax.

A Simple Homecoming Ritual

After unpacking my suitcase, I like to spend just a few quiet minutes reconnecting with myself.

I make a cup of tea. Diffuse my favorite essential oils.

Sit quietly. Offer myself Reiki.

Sometimes I simply watch the birds and listen to the wind chimes outside my window

Those few minutes help me transition from “doing” back to simply “being."

Home Is More Than a Place

One of the greatest gifts of coming home isn’t sleeping in your own bed.

It’s remembering how good familiar rhythms can feel.

If you’ve been traveling, entertaining guests, or celebrating with family this summer, give yourself permission to unpack more than your suitcase.

Let your body rest.

Let your mind settle.

Let your nervous system find its way home again.

If you’re finding it difficult to slow down or reconnect after a busy season, I’d be honored to support you through a virtual Reiki or somatic session. If you’ve never experienced Reiki before, I invite you to visit my website and request your complimentary Holy Love Experience session.

Because sometimes the best souvenir we bring home isn’t something we bought on vacation. It’s the peace we choose to carry with us every day.

Please feel free to share this with someone you care about.

With warmth,

Riki Marie

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