1. You’ve changed, but everything else has stayed the same

Everything looks the same, but you’ve changed. Your house, your town, your people — they feel familiar, but you’re not the same person who left…

2. Routine feels mundane

You’ve been chasing sunrises, finding campsites, solving problems on the fly… now it’s laundry, lunchboxes, and the same streets. The loss of flexibility and spontaneity can hit hard.

3. Most people don’t understand what you experienced

You want to share your stories, but people only ask, “So, how was it?” before switching topics. or on the flip side you feel like your boasting.

4. There is a grieving period

Even if you’re happy to be home, there’s grief: for the freedom, the sunsets, the little routines that became everything. It’s not just reverse culture shock — it’s mourning one of the best seasons of life you’ve ever had.

5. You’ll question everything

Do I want this lifestyle again? Why do we own so much stuff? Should we stay? Should we go? Travel opens your mind to endless possibilities and coming home makes you aware of what doesn’t align anymore.

6. The kids might struggle too

You assume they’ll love the stability, but you can tell they miss the adventures. It’s easier to stay inside the house than it is to go outside in the rain and being bored seems like a common theme. Their wanderlust doesn’t just disappear.

7. Stuff feels overwhelming

All the space, all the things, all the responsibilities — it feels noisy compared to life in a van or motorhome. Minimalism felt freeing — and now clutter feels heavy.

8. You romanticise life on the road (even the hard bits)

Broken caravan parts and rainy days become “character building.” Your mind filters out the chaos and remembers only the magic.

9. You might crave connection with other travellers

You’ll miss the conversations at campsites and the instant connection with other families on the road. Finding people who “get it” becomes harder.

10. You’ll start planning the next adventure (even years away)

Because once you’ve lived the dream, you know it’s possible. And even if you’re not ready to leave again… you’ll always carry that little spark.

11. Fear of forgetting

You won’t have enough wall space to hang all of your photos and you worry you’ll forget if you don’t have a visual reminded in front of you.

If you’ve ever come home after long-term travel, you know and if you haven’t yet? Save this for when you do.

Any of our fellow travellers out there feel the same? Or is there anything else you went through after coming home with rose coloured glasses?

❤ Britt

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