6 Gems! vol. 12: How to Feel at Home While Away

I got kinda homesick. Here's what helped. Or would have!

At some point this summer, you may be what I’ve been calling “out of sorts.” Or alternatively “homesick.” Maybe you’re like my friend Monica (and she’s not the only one) who’s waiting for her new house to be ready. (Lots of overseas and other really big moves of late, it seems.) Or maybe you’re in a summer house, or an Airbnb, or shuttling between places feeling like your stuff - and self - is unfindable.

It is a first-world problem if every there was one. But it can be jarring. Here are 6 things I’ve figured out that will help.

My Kit

1. Create a Kit. Not having what you need can be the thing that breaks a person. Create a kit that always stays with you. In your purse. Not in your suitcase. Or carryon. ALWAYS. With each hotel trip, I added to mine and made it better. You’ll want it to include

   1. pair of undies, folded small

   2. little pill box with at least one day/night of pills you’ll need

   3. tiny scissors for cutting tags, stray threads, etc

   4. nail file - when you miss it you really miss it

   5. snack — pistachios, dark chocolate

   6. scrunchie or elastic - one of the most annoying things to be without

   7. mini deodorant, toothbrush, floss, comb, sunblock

   8. stain remover

   9. keys

2. Pack “the dress”: This is a dress that always works. Never lets you down. Can be dressed up or worn casually. You will be tempted not to pack this. Because you don’t want to lose it. But this is when you need this dress. Take it and it goes in your carryon. (Here is a good one I’ve tried on and loved. Here’s my go-to. This is under $100 and looks great!)

3. Bring your security blanket(s): Back when I was a lawyer in my late 20s, I went through a phase of regular work trips to Manhattan. And I always brought a teddy bear! Look in the cold world of these trips, it was something that signaled “you’re home.” Bring the comforts of home, literally. And keep them accessible. Like your own favorite blanket. Yeah, it takes up space. But it pays huge comfort dividends. My favorite blanket and maybe favorite gift ever was a BabyMo mohair blanket. These look similar. I take mine all over the house, and even though I’m obsessed with it, I leave it at the summer house because that’s where I need more homey feels at the ready!

4. Maintain your eating habits. Eating lousy, unfamiliar, unhealthy, anonymous foods can have a domino effect on your body and psyche. Skip room service or the hotel bar where we tend toward fun and special occasions foods and more-than-the-usual drinks. Order form Uber eats or Doordash. You can even approach this period like a spa break; try thinking about emerging from it as healthy as possible. I ate salads with protein on top twice a day for a bit. It’s something I eat at home, and that comforted me.

5. Don’t forget the little luxuries. There are small things that you can easily live without but that have a greater impact when you’re far from home. Things like good shampoo and conditioner (versus whatever the hotel or Airbnb offers). Soft socks. Portable coffee maker that you only need hot water for. How about truffle salt? In winter, a heated blanket? A fluffy non-hotel robe and slippers.

6. Capsule smart. “Capsule wardrobe” isn’t just a fun exercise to see if you come up with new ideas. When you’re traveling or living with minimal access to your stuff, an edit like this really has to work for you. Here’s what to consider while packing a capsule:

   1. Pick out colors that work together and won’t show stains (e.g. black, navy, chocolate brown)

   2. Focus on washable fabrics

   3. Don’t take pieces you haven’t worn before

   4. Include a few wild card elements so you don’t get bored, e.g. a crisp white belt, colorful Twilly scarf

Let’s settle in. As much as we can. About to light my Miami candle, and appreciate this time with people I love.

XOXO,

Rachel