Step 10
Every great story has an ending, and every epic journey has a return leg. Coming home after a long-term trip is a profound experience, filled with a whirlwind of emotions. There’s the joy of reuniting with loved ones and the comfort of your own bed, but also a strange sense of displacement and a deep longing for the freedom of the open road.
This final chapter of your adventure is about navigating the transition, integrating the incredible lessons you’ve learned, and dreaming about the future. Here’s how to plan for a soft landing.
Prepare for the reverse culture shock
You’ve spent months adapting to new cultures, and now you have to re-adapt to your own. Reverse culture shock is real, and it can be more jarring than the culture shock you felt when you first left.
- What it feels like: You might feel bored by the predictability of life back home. The consumerism of a crowded supermarket can feel overwhelming. You might feel like no one really understands what you’ve been through. Your kids might feel out of sync with their friends or frustrated by the structure of school.
- How to cope:
- Be patient with yourselves: Acknowledge that this is a normal part of the process. Give your family time and space to readjust. Don’t expect to fall back into your old life overnight.
- Talk about it: Continue the open communication you cultivated on the road. Share your feelings about being home—the good, the bad, and the weird.
- Connect with other travelers: Find online communities or local friends who have also traveled long-term. They will understand your experience in a way that others can’t.
The practical side of re-entry
Just as you had a checklist for leaving, you need one for returning.
- Your home: Arrange to have utilities turned back on. If you rented your house out, schedule a handover. A great tip is to arrange for a grocery delivery on your first day back—you’ll be too tired to shop.
- School and work: Communicate with your kids’ schools about their return, providing any reports or work samples from your travels. If you’re returning to a job, try to give yourself at least a week at home before diving back in.
- Social life: It’s wonderful to see everyone, but don’t overschedule yourselves in the first few weeks. Ease back into your social life gently to avoid burnout.
Weaving your travels into your ‘new normal’
Your trip has changed you. The challenge now is to hold on to the positive transformations and not let the pressures of daily life erase them.
- Identify your key lessons: What did you learn about yourselves and your family? Did you discover a love for a simpler life with fewer possessions? Did you learn to be more patient and spontaneous?
- Create new family rituals: Maybe you continue “Taco Tuesday” in honor of your time in Mexico or make a point of taking a family walk every evening, just like you did in that small village in Spain.
- Live with intention: The trip gave you a powerful perspective on what’s truly important. Try to carry that clarity into your decisions back home. Do you really need to sign the kids up for three different after-school activities? Could you spend less time on screens and more time exploring your local area?
Dreaming of the next horizon
The end of one adventure is simply the beginning of planning the next one. The travel bug, once it bites, is hard to shake!
- Keep the memories alive: Create those photo books. Frame your best pictures. Cook meals that transport you back to your favorite places. Tell and retell your travel stories—they are your family’s new folklore.
- Plan your next escape: It doesn’t have to be another round-the-world trip. It could be a weekend camping trip, a road trip to a national park, or exploring a new neighborhood in your own city. The goal is to keep the spirit of curiosity and exploration alive.
You did it. You took a wild, beautiful dream and turned it into your family’s reality. You’ve given your children—and yourselves—a gift that will continue to enrich your lives in countless ways. The journey may be over, but the adventure continues. Happy travels!