Simple Ways to Feel at Home When You Travel
No matter if you’re someone who suffers from frequent wanderlust or if you’re planning your very first trip, it can always be helpful to have small and unique ways to feel at home while you’re abroad. This is especially true for people who experience travel anxiety, as knowing that you will be staying in a safe and comfortable environment can help you to conquer your fears and visit some of the best places around the world.
1. Renting a House
If you have a budget for accommodations, instead of opting for a generic hotel, why not consider renting an Airbnb instead? Airbnb is essentially a collection of apartments, houses, and cabins that are available for rent throughout the year and in plenty of different countries across the world. It can be far more comfortable to stay in a home rather than a hotel, especially as you won’t have to worry about daily room cleanings, you’ll have your own kitchen, and you’ll have the perfect amount of privacy.
2. Let People Know You’re Traveling
You’d be surprised at how many people in your life love traveling, and you never know if they’re going to be in the same area as you, or if they know someone who will be visiting the same place as you. It can be great to visit a new area without having to worry about wandering around all by yourself, especially when you have friends or friends of friends to rely on.
3. Unpack Your Bags
Even though it might be tempting to keep all of your belongings in your luggage, especially if you’re only heading away for a weekend, it’s imperative that you take the time to properly unpack. You’re going to want to hang up your clothes, keep your shoes by the door, and even do a quick grocery shop to make sure that you have enough food and snacks to last throughout your trip.
The more that you unpack, the more your accommodations will feel like they’re comfortable and homely. You’ll essentially be putting your very own stamp of approval on your territory and you can even go as far as to display your favorite pictures to remind you of loved ones and family while you’re away.
4. Take a Bath and Light Candles
Even if you aren’t the type of person who is typically interested in baths, you’ll be surprised at how calming they can be and how easily they will make you feel like you’re at home. You may even want to consider lighting a couple of candles to fill the place with a smell that you’re familiar with, which is one of our favorite things to do! Take a quick trip to a local mall; pick up your favorite bath bomb or bubble bath and a familiar candle to help transform an everyday room into a place you can’t wait to come back to.
5. Make a Traveling Playlist
Music is a great way to take your mind off of any concerns that you might have about being away from home and it can also help to evoke positive emotions if you’re feeling a little homesick. There’s nothing better than cracking a bottle of wine, cooking dinner with the food you bought from the local market, and listening to your favorite tunes while you’re away on vacation. Just because you might not be traveling with friends and family doesn’t mean that you need to feel like you’re not at home, because in all honesty, as long as you’re positive about your trip and doing everything you can to enjoy yourself, anywhere can feel like home.
6. Pack Comfortable Clothes
No matter if you’re headed to a tropical destination or an urban city center, it’s likely you’re going to want to look your best at all times. The main thing to remember is that although you’re going to dress up for dinners and tours around the city, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to want to wear all of your fancy clothes to bed every night. Plus, packing comfortable clothes is equally as calming as drawing yourself a bath and lighting some candles after a great dinner.
Imagine spending a long day walking around a new city, visiting all of the most popular tourist attractions, coming home, taking a bath, and then slipping into your favorite pajamas.
7. Do Something Mundane
Are you beginning to find that you’re focusing too much on activities that are new and you’re starting to feel like you’re further away from home than you’ve ever been? Not to worry, it just means that it’s time to stay away from the quintessential tourist locations and try doing something mundane that you would normally do at home. For example, going to get your nails done or going to get a small haircut during the week. The more open you are to doing regular things that resemble chores, the more likely you are to feel like you actually live in the area you’re visiting.
If you’re going to a country where you don’t speak the native language, you can always opt for visiting a store or a restaurant that you have at home and order your favorite meal, bring it back to your accommodations, and eat while watching TV.
8. Pack or Buy Your Favorite Blanket
It’s likely that you have a throw that you sleep with every night or a particular pair of sheets that you wrap yourself up in before you go to bed. If you’re working with a small amount of space in your luggage, you might not be able to pack your favorite linens with you, however, there’s nothing stopping you from going out and buying them as soon as you get to wherever you’re going.
Aside from focusing on smell (candles), sound (music playlist), and what you can see (images of family and friends), you should also make sure that you’re paying attention to what you can touch. This will help you to feel more grounded and comfortable in your environment for the entirety of your trip.
There are plenty of things that you can use to your advantage when it comes to having the best vacation possible, even if you’re someone who feels very uncomfortable away from home. With the help of these tips, you’ll be able to make a home wherever you are with little to no effort.
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