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9 Ways to Hit All 5 Senses: The Cure to Homesickness Whilst Away

We’ve been there — taken a trip to a gorgeous location with nothing negative to say about it except for one thing: we miss home. If it’s not our loved ones, we miss our mascots, if not they, we miss the simple state of being at home, surrounded by our own things. Staying in a hotel or an apartment for a while can start to feel just as foreign as the place you’re visiting. Let’s minimize that feeling with a few easy ways to make your space a home-away-from-home.

Step One: Settle in

Travel Luggage

Courtesy of Away

Unpack your suitcase, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than living out of one. It’s a constant reminder that you’re not home and the space doesn’t belong to you…just yet.

Step Two: Switcheroo

Separating Seating Area Example

Courtesy of MyDomaine

Let’s face it, you are the best designer in your home because you know yourself, your loved ones, and the function of your space. Hotel rooms should be no different, move the smaller pieces, such as chairs, to create the feel of a “separate sitting area” or try shifting a side-table closer to you for comfier lighting before you go to bed.

Step Three: Spruce Up

Lysol Wipes
There are certain habits that which a) only we do best b) take a lot of love and care because it is a part of our homes and one of them is cleanliness. Bringing these to-go wipes from Lysol will offer peace of mind and will already start to feel like home!

Step Four: The Power of B. Books and Bedding

A book on the bed

Photo by Kari Shea

Now that all the heavy lifting is out of the way, it’s time to start personalizing. You’d be surprised how your own sheets will make you feel like you’re back in your old bed. If that’s too much to carry, try finishing a book you started back at home. The power of books is that they’re transportive – one minute you’re in a hotel – the next you’re in a land, or time far away.

Step Five: Picture Perfect

Photo frames on a side table

As Seen on Splendid Sass Blog

Family not able to come along? No problem. They can still be present! Arrange your favorite photos of loved ones along any surface. Position these images either close to you as you sleep or the first thing you see when you open your eyes. It’s a wonderful reminder and design trick that makes all things in your life which are happy, present!

Step Six: BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee)

coffee beans

Image by Glenn Carrie

They say smell is the strongest sense that brings back memories; coffee does something even more; it brings you alive. A simple, easy-to-carry-on, object, let the same aroma that awakens your house do the same at your place of stay. Your taste buds will thank you for enjoying that favorite cup right before exploring your new surroundings.

Step Seven: Ambiance Magic

Scented Candle

Photo by Samantha Gades

A candle serves both a design element as memorabilia. Scent is a huge part of creating ambiance, make sure you pack your favorite candle, you’ll be happy you did!

Step Eight: Soundplay

Alarm Clock

If you’re from the countryside, a city’s robust sounds always take adjusting to. If you’re from a quaint beach town, a resort may feel like a concert on high-volume, all the time. Eliminate the noise factor by bringing your own soothing sounds. Brookstone has the perfect travel-sized sound machine that doubles as an alarm. Sleep just like you do at home!  (Click to get it: here)

Step Nine: Slippers

Slippers

If you travel often, you’ll always notice that slippers are always used in places where they want to make you feel more comfortable, such as a spa, or a luxury hotel. A robe often accompanies them, too. Slippers are both hygienic and offer the sensation of touch or feel that makes comes with us wherever we take them. These Gucci slippers are sure to carry you away, whether intentional or not… (Click: here)

Eliminate your fear factor and cure that homesickness, the world is your oyster!


About Leslie Hendrix Wood

Leslie Hendrix Wood is the founding editor of the luxury lifestyle and design blog, Hadley Court and an has her own interior design firm, Leslie Hendrix Wood Interiors in Midland, Texas.

Leslie received her undergraduate degree in business. She worked briefly in banking and returned to school to earn her MBA.

Upon graduation, she moved to Washington D.C. to work on a Presidential campaign and received a Presidential appointment to a position in International Trade.

At the end of the administration, Leslie returned to her hometown and joined the family oil and gas business, although her first passion has always been, after raising her children with her husband, business and interior design.

When she saw her children were closer to leaving home, she decided to start the blog, Hadley Court. in 2012, which won the Design Bloggers Conference Hall of Fame award for Best New Design Blog in 2013 - a prestigious honor granted by her peers.

In 2014, she is, in addition to blogging, beginning to build the family friendly luxury lifestyle brand: HADLEY COURT, based on her values of Gracious Living, Timeless Design and Family Traditions.

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