5 Ways To Conquer Post Vacation Blues

We’ve all been there.  You spend weeks planning a much needed vacation to your dream destination and in the blink of an eye, it’s over.  The post vacation blues set in.  Post travel depression is a very real thing compounded if you are returning to a mediocre job or any other less than perfect things going on in your life.

While we travel, we are often our best versions of ourselves.  We are happy, relaxed, (this can be debated depending on what you are doing and where you are) and away from the mundane tasks of everyday life.  We are typically more active, and in ideal settings. It’s no wonder when we return home we find ourselves in a funk that can last for weeks.

I feel this way every time I come home from a trip that I have spend weeks and even months looking forward to. I had that returning to a less than ideal job scenario. On top of that add a history of depression and it can make for an incredibly hard transition back to real life.

There are things I have found that help me get back into the groove.  You have to give yourself a bit of time to adjust.  After all, you did not plan your trip overnight, give yourself a break and the time to recover.  The good news is, that it can take going on that dream trip and having such a life changing experience, that it can be a motivator to make some much needed changes in your life!

I have 5 ways to conquer the post vacation blues:

  • Take an extra day or two (even more if possible) before you need to return to work.  Extra sleep, especially if you are jet lagged will be your friend. You’ve most likely been running from place to place and monument to monument for the last week or two.  A little bit of self-care can go a long way. Stay active, go for walks, meditate and do some yoga.
  • Adopt a bit of the culture you experienced on your trip.  Cook something unique to the destination.  If you’ve been to Paris, I suggest trying your hand at making macarons. Did you see something that many of the locals wore? If you were in a non English speaking country, try and learn a bit of the language. See a movie that features that destination, or how about reading a book? The list is endless.  I always suggest bringing home souvenirs that reflect the flavor of that place.  A food item or toiletries. I brought home a whole suitcase full of French soap from Paris.  I am reminded of my fabulous trip every time I shower! Decorate your home with fabric from India. How about bringing home sand from a favorite beach, put it in a pretty jar, and set it on your bathroom counter.
  • Make a photo book.  This can be time consuming, but it can be very therapeutic to choose and insert those beautiful trip photos into a Shutterfly photo book. Do this right away while sights are fresh in your mind.  Who hasn’t gone on vacation and taken lots of pictures only to have them sit in nice files on your computer for no one to see.  Make a book, put it on your coffee table for visitors to see, and for you to gaze at when you need a lift.
  • Connect with people you met on your trip. You may not be able to do this face to face, but since the birth of the internet, the world is a much smaller place.  Connect through social media.  Perhaps you can find some Facebook groups about you favorite destination. There are lots of Facebook groups for Paris fanatics like me.  You are never alone if you have a laptop in front of you. Yes, if you are near these new friends that you can actually connect face to face, that is the best way.  Just MAKE THE TIME to do it.
  • Journal your feelings.  Better yet- write a travel journal.  I keep notes when I travel, so I can remember details later when I blog about them.  Even if no one sees what you write, it will be something you will have forever.  Write details, remember sounds and smells and write them down.  I will never forget the sound of the rain hitting the metal overhang below our apartment rental in Paris.  When I want to go back I take a deep breath and can actually smell that rain!  It’s crazy I know, but it is a memory that got me through the post Paris blues.

Returning to normal life after a fabulous vacation takes time so give yourself a break.  Those around you have probably been there themselves, so you are not alone.  Post vacation blues is a real legit thing.  It’s OK and no need to feel guilty.

I almost forgot my most important tip-you can always begin planning your next trip!! It’s never too soon and you can never be too prepared! 😉

Lori

Go explore! The world is waiting

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