I was so ready to get back on the Substack train immediately after getting home from Paris, only to feel like I’d been hit by a bus. Getting sick in Paris certainly didn’t help, but no matter how much you prepare for a post-travel transition back into normality, it will never be seamless.
There is a very important post-travel period that lasts about a week, where I do everything in my power to expedite the return to homeostasis. It’s a return to routine that forces me to slow down, to remember what is important to actually feeling happy beyond validation from work. I get so caught up during work trips with furthering my career that my sense of self starts to slip, which often leads to a shaky and emotional start when I return home.
I think it’s a sign that this return to normal life occurs around the same time as the start of spring - it’s comforting to think that the world is suggesting a fresh start and another chance to hit reset. I’ve taken this opportunity to start renovating my home (though it causes chaos in my home in the short run, I’m trying to remember that it will all be worth it soon), to cook more, to start running again and really throw myself into strength training.
Here are the post-travel, post-mayhem things that I’m doing to feel human again:
1. Enjoy a book and a coffee in the morning
I rarely do this - I’m a dedicated evening reader. But often I’m so tired in the evening that the words just kind of scramble on the page. I’ve mentioned the importance of taking an hour in the morning to do something that’s just for me. Sometimes it’s going for a run, but I’m also deeply appreciative of taking an hour to read instead. I’m off my phone, off social media, the world feels paused for a little bit. I’ve found that days where I have workouts scheduled later in the day work best for this (read: strength/weightlifting days), because when it comes to running, if it doesn’t happen first thing it’s likely not to happen at all.
Even better is that I got myself a drip coffee machine from Fellow. I really wanted to use the coffee beans I’d bought from my travels, and I love the taste of a good cup of black coffee. The Fellow Aiden has been the best addition to my home. I can even program my coffee to start brewing from my bed so that it’s ready by the time I get up (the smell revives me). I had to get the matching coffee grinder to pair with it because I’m that obsessed, and now I have a cute little coffee corner in my home. And the little ring that indicates that my coffee is ready is now my favourite sound. I feel the quality of a barista-brewed coffee within the comfort of my own home.
There is nothing more relaxing than to sit on my couch with a cup of coffee and watch the sun rise with a good book (my apartment faces east and I feel so grateful for that). I’m currently reading Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo (my first Sally Rooney!), and while I find annoying similarities between Peter and nearly every man I’ve dated post-college, I’m enjoying it.
2. LIGHTLY supplementing
I hang around too many doctors to be a supplements girl - I get enough from my diet when I’m eating properly. The problem is that, when I travel, I’m not eating properly at all. So while the majority of supplements are mostly unnecessary, I do feel like shit when I come home. I’m also increasing the amount of physical activity I do whenever I return home (see later points), so my body is working with a lot of changes.
There are a few things that help me kickstart and keep up with the increased level of physical activity I am putting on my system when I return home. Going from zero to 100 is not without help, and I’ve come to terms that sometimes it’s nice to have a support system. And, honestly, I love the power of a placebo effect.
Other than my usual vitamin D12 drops that I take (we’re all deficient in Canada), I take Super Mush energy gummies (a combination of adaptogenic mushrooms), and Pludo electrolytes. When I’m seeing a trainer twice a week and starting to gradually log more miles with my return to running, it feels really nice to believe I have an extra boost. Frankly, I’ve felt a difference.
Again, I am NOT a doctor and I can feel my doctor friends rolling their eyes at me. Sue me!
3. Returning to the run
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I haven’t really been running consistently since last December. I fell out of love with it, I was comparing myself unnecessarily, and I didn’t want to be tied to a running schedule while I was travelling (nothing is more of a killjoy to me than scheduling my vacation plans around a run). I also felt all this pressure to sign up for a race or do something competitive, which was not why I started to run in the first place.
I needed a break because, frankly, running was starting to take over every conversation I had with people. It was a crutch I leaned on in hollow conversations, it was something I used to make men think I was cooler (and, frankly, it doesn’t work. My soulmate is not at run club. And I’m well aware that doing something to make men think you’re cool is utterly lame. I am not a guy’s girl and that is fine with me. You won’t be catching me in gorp core). So I took a step back to re-evaluate my relationship with the sport.
I only recently started wearing my Garmin watch to record my runs again, not with the intention of comparing my paces, but more so to run without my phone and still be able to listen to music. I plan on writing a whole sendout dedicated just to my return to running, but I’m learning that low and slow is the best way to approach things.
My new approach to running is that it is complementary to weight training and stretching. The three must co-exist, and each serves an equally important function. Cardio gives me the stamina to do weight training, which gives me the power to run for longer, and the cycle continues. Stretching prepares me to be able to do both without injury.
On a side note! I recently purchased a pair of Hoka Bondi 9’s. It was time to make the switch, and I think my knees will thank me. Will keep you posted on how I like them.
4. Body care
With increased physical activity comes the necessity of taking care of your body - I often neglect this. I try cram too many things in one day and forget that taking care of myself extends beyond my time spent in the gym. Recovery is key. I’m loving:
Massages: I’ve talked about lymphatic drainage, which I find is really good for helping with sleep. But for sore muscles, I love working with Naz to help get my body back to normal. I am still young, but not as much of a spring chicken as I was seven years ago, and I just want to be able to move when I’m an old lady! Naz incorporates these incredible wood tools into her sessions that works out all the kinks in every muscle. This feels especially great after a plane ride or the first long run in a long time.
Exfoliating: much like shedding winter layers, I’m noticing my skin needs a little extra exfoliation as it transitions to spring. No explanation as to why. But I’m loving the Soft Services buffing bar and Carea Cream.
I am not a tanning bed girl, but I did learn that getting a spray tan does wonders for feeling a little less…icky post winter. I went to Toronto Body Boutique and am very very happy with the results (it’s very close to my natural tan colour, you can customize the intensity, and there was zero transfer onto my white outfit that evening)
All the intimate things as well: I’ve recently made the switch from tampons to diva cup and am loving it. I love it so much that I’ve refreshed my period kit with Diva cup’s new cleanser and refresher. I know there’s a lot of discourse of water vs. cleanser, etc. Everyone is different, so talk to your doc, but at the end of the day this is what makes me feel fresh and clean and comfortable. I’ve also placed an order for Sensual Sport and will keep you posted on that.
5. Scheduling a free-flowing day
I have yet to do this, but I love having one day with absolutely no commitments. No plans to go out, no alarm set. Just a good old, au natural day based entirely off of free will. What’s funny is that, contrary to doing nothing at all, my free-flowing days often end up being the most productive and healing. This is probably because I’m doing exactly what I want to do, which further motivates me to keep doing. My ideal free-flowing day would be the following:
sleep for 9-10 hours, wake up without an alarm
coffee and a smoothie
go for a long run
come home, shower, do my body care routine
go for a walk around my neighbourhood and window shop (and maybe do some actual shopping)
bring a book to a cafe or bar and have a 5pm glass of wine.
cook a delicious dinner for myself
watch a movie
go to sleep before 10pm
6. Restocking the fridge
There is no better time than the start of a new season to do a fridge cleanout. I mean take everything out, cleaning the shelves, etc. I know I should be doing this more often, but it’s my least favourite task and I’m really good at procrastinating.
Once everything is cleaned out I’ll do a solid grocery shop (it hurts the bank account, living in Toronto, but alas). Apparently when you travel, eating fresh vegetables is a luxury. So I’ll do a big stock up on spinach and protein and healthy grains to kick my digestion into full gear.
I crave sugar all the time, and as much as I’d love to indulge, I’m trying to eat more fruit. I’ve started making the following smoothie either for breakfast or as a 4pm snack to satisfy those cravings while still having some nutritional benefit:
1/2 banana
1/4 cup frozen avocado
1 cup blueberries
1 tbsp almond/nut butter
1 tsp chia seeds (optional)
1 tbsp collagen powder
1/2 tsp matcha powder (I like Rocky’s matcha)
dash of cinnamon
pinch of Himalayan sea salt
1 cup nut milk or coconut water (I like Nutbar’s Barmilk, which is now available for delivery in select regions)
7. Cooking for friends
Every time I go anywhere, I miss my friends too much! While I love a night out, I need a little bit of recovery time after travelling. Having friends over for dinner is my favourite way to kickstart a return to normalcy. It forces me to function: I have to clean my space, tidy up, and cook. I have to do all these things anyway, so I might as well give myself a deadline to get them done.
There’s nothing more healing than a delicious, healing meal, a good bottle of wine, and conversations with friends.
8. Upping the flower budget
My friend Ali texted me, “More people should care about flowers!” after I sent her a picture of a bouquet we were getting for a friend. Truer words have never been spoken! My favourite part about people watching in Paris was seeing all of the people carrying flowers and bouquets. There is no easier way to brighten a home and and your mood with fresh flowers. It doesn’t even need to be anything fancy - the $8 tulip bunches are always lovely, and last a long time.
My friend recently hosted a bouquet making party at her place - the vibe was “a few glasses of wine, baked goods, and everyone is home by 11”. It was such a wholesome night, and a great way for strangers to mix. All you need are some simple bundles of flowers, brown paper, and string. Make it a potluck if you’re not into baking or don’t have time to prepare anything. You simply cannot be upset when you’re making pretty bouquets!









In the coming weeks we’ll return to content as regularly scheduled, but in the meantime here’s my spring playlist from last year, which honestly holds up.
Saving this as a personal guide to spring living <3