The Joy Of Returning Home
Ah home. It’s the best place in the whole wide world if you ask me. After spending seven (glorious) days and nights on vacation in Mexico, I’m more than thrilled to be home. You don’t even know.
It’s like the old saying goes, “there’s no place like home.” And there truly isn’t. The moment I step through the door after a fulfilling vacation, there’s an immediate sense of relief and comfort that washes over me. While vacations can be incredibly enriching and enjoyable experiences, there’s a such a unique and special warmth in returning to the familiar comforts of our own humble abode isn’t there? The scent of our own sheets, the coziness of our favorite pajamas; I mean, everything about home creates an unparalleled sense of comfort and security.
Although I have to say, for me, and more so now than ever, one of the most cherished aspects of returning home after traveling is being reunited with my people (and my dog, of course). Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Just ask Annabelle (my dog).
And you know what my friend, the more I travel, the more I find that the homecoming experience evokes a profound sense of gratitude within me. As I’m surrounded once again by the familiar, I realize how easy it is to take all of the little things for granted. The everyday routines that might have felt mundane before now seem like small blessings and I’m able to really appreciate all of it.
From the convenience of my 4:40 am coffee routine to the luxury of having an abundance of clean water to drink, I realize how truly fortunate I am and how grateful I am for my life. To say I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for the stability and security that my home and family provide would be an understatement.
Once I’m home and unpacked, I’m able to really reflect on my travel experiences and integrate new things into my daily life. The inspiration gained from exploring new places, meeting diverse people, learning about unfamiliar cultures, and encountering different ways of life sparks so much creativity as well as a fresh perspective for me. I’m going to try to hold on to that feeling for a while.
And, I don’t know about you my friend, but the routine and structure that come with my normal life is remarkably reassuring. As exhilarating as travel can be, and as much I love going all the places, it can also be mentally and emotionally taxing. The constant change of scenery, adapting to new cultures, and navigating unfamiliar situations and places really wears a girl out. The stability of returning to my regular old routine provides a much needed sense of grounding and balance. It allows me to vacation from my vacation, if you will, haha.
It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn about the world, and myself through travel. I’ve found that that traveling teaches me some of the best lessons, but the joys of returning home after a vacation extend far beyond the comfort of our physical surroundings. It’s really a celebration of love, gratitude, and personal reflection. It’s a time to cherish the little things that often get overlooked. And truthfully, both the journey itself and the return home play an important role in our growth and happiness, as well as creating a beautiful harmony between exploration and appreciation for the beauty of everyday life.
