You know that feeling when you’ve just returned from vacation, and everything feels… off? Your own bed doesn’t quite feel quite the same. Your coffee doesn’t taste the way you remember. There’s laundry piled up, emails waiting, and suddenly you’re longing for the chaos you just escaped. Or worse—you need a vacation from your vacation.
This, my friends, is the Return Home. And, as it turns out, it’s not just a parenting dilemma or post-holiday slump. It’s a stage of the Hero’s Journey, and I left the conversation wondering if it might be the most underrated one as well.
For those unfamiliar, the Hero’s Journey is a storytelling arc laid out by Joseph Campbell, and it’s everywhere. In myths, movies, your kid’s favorite video game, and maybe—just maybe—in your own life. You start in the Ordinary World, the promise of adventure calls you into the unknown where you gain new friends, meet mentors, develop new skills and fight monsters…and at some point, once the battle is done…the Return Home. It seems like it should be simple: you’ve battled dragons, conquered challenges, crossed thresholds. Now you just… go back.
But as we recently explored in a family conversation (with a mix of mythological references and real-life examples), this “return” may not be as simple or easy as it first appears.
You’ve seen it. The soldier coming home and struggling to reintegrate into daily life. The traveler who’s just spent months abroad, full of vibrant new experiences, suddenly standing in line at their old coffee shop wondering why everything feels… smaller.
The Return Home is a transition. It’s not just about physically walking back through the front door. It’s about mentally, emotionally, and spiritually realigning yourself after you’ve been changed by your journey. It lives in an important transitional space between the unpredictability of the unknown and the stability of the new normal.
Maybe this stage of the Hero’s Journey is about reflection. It’s about taking a beat, giving yourself space to process, and understanding where you’ve been. It’s also about reconciling the old with the new. Who were you before the journey? Who are you now?
Here’s the trick, though: if you rush through it, if you dismiss the Return Home as just a quiet afterthought, you might miss out. You might miss the chance to pause, to heal, and to see the familiar with fresh eyes.
Because that’s the gift of the Return Home. You don’t just come back. Journey home creates both a real and metaphorical distance that is a critical component of perspective.
I’ll be honest: I’m not great at this stage. I’m the kind of person who barrels through transitions, like I’m trying to sprint across the finish line. But in our conversation, something struck me: what if the Return Home deserves as much energy and intention as the other stages?
What if the real magic is actually unlocked in this humble, brief channel that serves as a portal between worlds?
In life, too, it’s easy to stumble when you’re transitioning back to “normal.” Maybe you push yourself too hard too fast. Maybe you dismiss the need to pause and reflect. Maybe you get distracting and find yourself lost and disoriented. Or maybe you forget that “normal” isn’t what it used to be—and that’s okay.
The Return Home is a liminal space. It’s the bridge between what was and what’s about to be. If you skip it or lose your way, you might miss out on the most important part: the chance to see how you’ve grown.
The Return Home is where you kick off your muddy boots, lay down your metaphorical sword and ready yourself to take stock of the journey. You might step into the same living room, sleep in the same bed, and drink from the same coffee mug, but there’s something new. A realization. A shift. A sense of calm—the fertile soil that settles so the next Call to Adventure can take root.
So here’s the question: How intentional are you about your “returns”? Whether it’s coming home from work, from chaos, or from a life-changing experience, what does your version of the road home look like? How might you honor your experience by giving critical transitions room to breath?
Maybe it’s time to give this stage a little more thought—and a lot more appreciation.
This, my friends, is the Return Home. And, as it turns out, it’s not just a parenting dilemma or post-holiday slump. It’s a stage of the Hero’s Journey, and I left the conversation wondering if it might be the most underrated one as well.
For those unfamiliar, the Hero’s Journey is a storytelling arc laid out by Joseph Campbell, and it’s everywhere. In myths, movies, your kid’s favorite video game, and maybe—just maybe—in your own life. You start in the Ordinary World, the promise of adventure calls you into the unknown where you gain new friends, meet mentors, develop new skills and fight monsters…and at some point, once the battle is done…the Return Home. It seems like it should be simple: you’ve battled dragons, conquered challenges, crossed thresholds. Now you just… go back.
But as we recently explored in a family conversation (with a mix of mythological references and real-life examples), this “return” may not be as simple or easy as it first appears.
Why is Coming Home Hard?
Think about Greek mythology for a second. Heroes journeyed to the Underworld, to the unknown, to the place where no one dared go. And yet, as my kids and I discussed, it wasn’t getting in that was the problem. Often it was getting out. Exiting the chaos, climbing back to the surface, and reentering the “normal” world—presents a set of challenges that is unique to other steps in the journey.You’ve seen it. The soldier coming home and struggling to reintegrate into daily life. The traveler who’s just spent months abroad, full of vibrant new experiences, suddenly standing in line at their old coffee shop wondering why everything feels… smaller.
The Return Home is a transition. It’s not just about physically walking back through the front door. It’s about mentally, emotionally, and spiritually realigning yourself after you’ve been changed by your journey. It lives in an important transitional space between the unpredictability of the unknown and the stability of the new normal.
Reflection: Paving the Way for What’s Next
What happens when you come back from chaos—be it adventure, struggle, or the unknown? My son described it perfectly: “You’re returning to the known, but it’s not the same anymore.” You’ve seen too much.Maybe this stage of the Hero’s Journey is about reflection. It’s about taking a beat, giving yourself space to process, and understanding where you’ve been. It’s also about reconciling the old with the new. Who were you before the journey? Who are you now?
Here’s the trick, though: if you rush through it, if you dismiss the Return Home as just a quiet afterthought, you might miss out. You might miss the chance to pause, to heal, and to see the familiar with fresh eyes.
Because that’s the gift of the Return Home. You don’t just come back. Journey home creates both a real and metaphorical distance that is a critical component of perspective.
Transitions are Tricky
The Return Home reminds me of parenting in more ways than one. Think of any big transition you’ve navigated with your kids:- Coming back from summer break into the school year.
- Moving from one house—or even one city—to another.
- Recovering after an intense sports season or extracurricular whirlwind.
I’ll be honest: I’m not great at this stage. I’m the kind of person who barrels through transitions, like I’m trying to sprint across the finish line. But in our conversation, something struck me: what if the Return Home deserves as much energy and intention as the other stages?
What if the real magic is actually unlocked in this humble, brief channel that serves as a portal between worlds?
The Cautionary Tale of Coming Home Too Fast…or Getting Lost
A fun little observation: have you ever noticed how many accidents happen on the drive back from vacation? It’s like your brain thinks the hard part is over, so it lets its guard down. But the Return Home is still part of the journey.In life, too, it’s easy to stumble when you’re transitioning back to “normal.” Maybe you push yourself too hard too fast. Maybe you dismiss the need to pause and reflect. Maybe you get distracting and find yourself lost and disoriented. Or maybe you forget that “normal” isn’t what it used to be—and that’s okay.
The Return Home is a liminal space. It’s the bridge between what was and what’s about to be. If you skip it or lose your way, you might miss out on the most important part: the chance to see how you’ve grown.
Seeing the Familiar with New Eyes
The best part about coming home? It doesn’t just look different. You’re different.The Return Home is where you kick off your muddy boots, lay down your metaphorical sword and ready yourself to take stock of the journey. You might step into the same living room, sleep in the same bed, and drink from the same coffee mug, but there’s something new. A realization. A shift. A sense of calm—the fertile soil that settles so the next Call to Adventure can take root.
So here’s the question: How intentional are you about your “returns”? Whether it’s coming home from work, from chaos, or from a life-changing experience, what does your version of the road home look like? How might you honor your experience by giving critical transitions room to breath?
Maybe it’s time to give this stage a little more thought—and a lot more appreciation.
Related to this Episode
- #Hero'sJourney Collection - Explore how the timeless Hero's Journey narrative serves as the scaffolding for the stories we craft, share, and live—both with others and within ourselves.
- What Makes a Hero? - TED Ed video - Matthew Winkler - Andrew insisted that I post a link ;-)
- Check out the fun Hero's Journey Merch at www.SecretHeroProject.com
- #HeroToolshed Collection - Take a peek at some of the key tools our Heroes use everyday to level up their skills and mindset.
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About the Author
Angela is passionate about reshaping the way kids learn and grow. As the co-founder of Acton Academy Northwest Austin,
Angela is dedicated to fostering a learner-driven environment where
curiosity thrives and students take ownership of their educational
journeys. When not working with young heroes, they’re often exploring
big ideas on education, parenting, and lifelong learning right here on
the blog.
Want to learn more about our innovative approach to education? Check out Acton Academy Northwest Austin to see how we’re redefining school for the next generation of curious thinkers and independent learners.