8 Ways to Deal with Post-Trip Blues
The aftermath of a trip can often suck.
Returning home after an awe-inspiring journey often leads to falling into a monotonous routine. Whether it's the dread of reacclimating to normal life or the longing for a few extra days of indulgence, the transition back home can quickly bring about a melancholic state known as the post-trip blues.
Feeling this way is completely normal. Although you might experience a temporary emotional dip, the silver lining is that these feelings usually go away within a few weeks or as you readjust to your everyday routine again.
We want you to know that this feeling is shared by many of our fellow travelers, and we believe it's actually a positive sign. Why? Because it indicates that you had an absolutely incredible vacation!
To help alleviate those post-trip blues and prolong the enjoyment of your extraordinary adventures abroad, we put together a guide with our best post-trip blues solutions so you can savor the memories just a little while longer.
Michelle and the Beysselances on their vacation in Greece
Share your experiences with everyone!
Preserve the essence of your journey by sharing photos on social media or documenting your experience through a blog.
If you're unsure about how to embark on this digital storytelling or seek a platform to share your musings, our blog extraordinaire, Abbie, is here to assist you.
Reach out to us, and we'll be delighted to feature your travel tales on our blog!
2. Enjoy your discoveries
Traveling has a way of teaching us valuable lessons about ourselves and the world. To continue enjoying those experiences even after returning home, it's important to incorporate what you've learned into your everyday life.
For example, if you discover a delicious meal or drink during your travels, why not try making it at home? Recreating those flavors lets you keep the memories alive and enjoy them whenever you want. Or if you found that you unexpectedly enjoyed going on long hikes, consider making it a regular part of your routine when you return home. Explore local trails and parks to continue the adventure and stay connected to the joy you experienced while traveling.
While doing these things, don’t forget to reflect on the amazing memories you made while abroad. If you traveled with someone, make sure to bring them along and reminisce!
Don't wait too long to embrace these new skills and habits, though. The sooner you start, the more vivid and lasting the memories will be. As soon as you return home, dive in and make the most of what you've discovered during your journey.
Team Authenteco in Tuscany after their pasta making class
3. Continue your impact at home
If your travel experience ignited a desire to contribute to sustainable living, there are plenty of ways to continue that positive impact once you return home. Take the opportunity to engage in projects or initiatives within your community that promote sustainability. Look for local organizations or events where you can make a meaningful difference. By actively participating, you can extend the positive influence of your travels and contribute to a better world.
Additionally, consider adopting new habits and practices that align with sustainable living. Start by incorporating fresh produce into your diet, supporting local farmers and reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. Another simple change is to bring a reusable bag whenever you go shopping, reducing the use of plastic bags that harm the environment. Moreover, you can make a conscious effort to limit how often you wash your towels and other household items, conserving water and energy.
When it comes to maintaining an environmentally friendly lifestyle, supporting small and local businesses is crucial. By choosing these businesses over larger corporations, you contribute to the local economy while reducing the environmental impact associated with mass production and transportation. It's also essential to be mindful of your plastic consumption and waste output. Minimize single-use plastic items in your daily life, opt for reusable alternatives, and properly dispose of or recycle plastics to reduce their harmful effects on the environment.
By embracing some sustainable practices and choices, you can continue the positive momentum of your travel experience with us and contribute to a greener, more environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Our Japan traveler gift box full of items supporting small businesses
4. Be grateful for the things you have.
Returning home from a trip offers us a wonderful opportunity to reflect and express gratitude for the cherished people and things in our lives who eagerly awaited our return.
When returning home from a vacation, take a moment to appreciate the unwavering support of your family and friends who missed you during your time away. Share your gratitude with them, whether it's through heartfelt conversations, small gestures of appreciation, or even a handwritten note.
Enjoy cuddles with your pets and remind yourself how grateful you are for getting to sleep in your own bed again, surrounded by your own things.
Expressing gratitude for all the things in your life that you love not only strengthens your bonds but also reminds you of the love and warmth and comfort that awaits you in your everyday life.
Embrace the joy of reunions, relish in the shared stories and laughter, and let the gratitude for the connections you have deepen your appreciation for the abundance of love and companionship that surrounds you.
Marisol and her family on vacation in Greece
5. Treat home like a foreign place.
One of the most enjoyable things about long-term travel is having time to step back from the stresses of life and relax. Whole days spent lying in a hammock or exploring a new town come to mind.
Make time for self-indulgence when you get home. Relax with a book in the sun, spend an afternoon in a new café, or take yourself to a quirky museum that only you would be interested in.
You’d be surprised at everything you can discover in your own backyard.
The adventure doesn’t have to end when you step off the plane.
6. Let yourself feel
Feeling a tad blue after returning from an incredible trip abroad is completely normal and understandable.
Don’t forget to let yourself feel the post-trip blues on occasion. Feeling means you’re remembering the amazing experiences you had, so don’t block them out.
Additionally, give yourself permission to recharge and rejuvenate by indulging in self-care practices that lift your spirits.
Nourish your body with wholesome, nourishing foods, surround yourself with dear friends whose company brings you joy, and prioritize getting ample rest and engaging in physical activity.
Before you know it, your energy will soar, and that vibrant zest for life will return, revitalizing your very being.
7. Commemorate your Travels
Having a way to commemorate your travels upon returning home is a great way to do something fun and avoid post-trip blues. There are so many ways to commemorate your travels. Here are a few fun ideas:
Create a travel journal or scrapbook: Fill it with photos, ticket stubs, postcards, and handwritten notes about your experiences.
Start a travel-themed wall or corkboard: Hang up framed photos, mementos, and souvenirs to create a dedicated travel display.
Compile a digital photo album: Organize your travel photos in an online album or create a slideshow to share with friends and family.
Collect souvenirs with purpose: Choose meaningful souvenirs that represent the local culture or landmarks you encountered during your travels and display them around your house somewhere you can see them regularly.
Create a shadow box: Fill a shadow box with small objects like shells, coins, or tickets, along with a photo, to encapsulate the essence of your trip.
Frame a memorable photo: Select a favorite photo from your travels and have it professionally framed to showcase as a lasting reminder.
Cook international dishes: Recreate the flavors of the destinations you visited by trying out recipes from different cuisines.
Design a customized map: Create a personalized map featuring the route of your journey, and frame it as a unique piece of wall art.
Scratch off your travel map: One of the best things to do when returning home is scratching off a new destination! It's a fantastic way to visually document your adventures and relish in the joy of revealing each new destination.
Here is our favorite map:
OVANTO Scratch Off World Map - 17x24 world map poster, the only travel map with super easy scratch foil, flags, capitals, population, monuments, landmarks, time zones.
8. Start planning your next trip
There's nothing like the promise of a holiday to banish the post-vacation blues – even if it's just a weekend getaway.
The good thing is – travel is cheapest when booked in advance, so one of the best things to do when returning home from your vacation is to start planning your trip for next year or even the year after. This gives you something to look forward to while fighting the post-trip blues.
