You’ve just come back from the trip of a lifetime. You’ve seen family and friends, reacquainted yourself with your belongings. Unpacked. Or maybe you can’t quite do that yet. Now what?
I have just returned from an incredible trip to America. I worked for 18 months, learned, loved, travelled for a month. Now I’m back home. Great.
Me at Sunset rock, Yosemite National Park, CA, USA
Its not easy to deal with things immediately after a trip. The stress of all the goodbyes (maybe even a holiday love breakup), packing for the last time, travelling home, the time difference, and maybe having to find a new job. It can all get a bit much. That’s okay. I’m right there with you. here’s some ways I’ve been trying to help myself.
- Get a routine established. Jet lag is more difficult to beat the more hours between you and your paradise, but gradually moving back to your old time zone, and trying to stick to it, will help your post-travel blues. Overnight flights are the best way I’ve managed to do this so far, as well as staying well hydrated, trying to refrain from napping too much, and having set times to go to bed and get up. After you’re over the jet lag, the routine will help keep you motivated to look for jobs and do other things to keep you going. Try to eat and drink well and in a routine, too.
- Get dressed. Sounds like strange advice, but spending all day in your pyjamas won’t help your mindset. Get up, make your bed, and stay away from it. Put on some clean clothes, and feel ready for the day.
- Don’t beat yourself up. It is completely normal to feel this way after a big trip. You come home a different person, cultured, educated, exhilarated, and used to seeing new and exciting things everyday. And let’s face it, home is a wonderful place, but often it is roughly the same all the time. There are merits to both, but the contrast is jarring on a traveller’s brain. Don’t feel guilty for not being more excited to be home.
- Share your stories. You don’t have to pretend you didn’t go or shut out the memories. Your friends and family would love to hear all about your trip, the things you saw, your pictures and videos, your souvenirs. It might feel like it was a dream, or that being home is a dream, so acknowledging the trip and reliving it a little will cement it in your brain and give you some extra closure. You could also write about your trip, or make art.
But remember to be present; if every time someone says something to you, you respond with “that’s like this time on my trip…” people will feel like you aren’t truly there with them, and they missed you, and want to spend time with you. - Keep in touch. The people you met are going to be lifelong friends and they also want to know how you are. Send them a postcard of your hometown. Tell them a little about it. Some pride in your homeland can make you feel better about being back.
- Keep your mind occupied. Finding a job can be exhausting. Take time off, see friends, read, spend time away from your phone/computer. I highly recommend volunteering, as not only is it extremely rewarding, it could help you find a job. I also love to learn, and there are many free online courses available online (check this blog for more info) as well as language learning apps like Duolingo etc. Your brain is used to being stimulated and interested, and learning is a great way to keep that up. Being unoccupied will let your mind wonder into negative thoughts if unchecked.
- Feel your feelings. If you’re having a hard time, find someone to talk to about it. Write down how you’re feeling. Express it in some way. It is okay to feel this way. It’ll pass, and you’ll be stronger for it, so don’t try to bottle these things up, you’ll just delay your recovery. Its almost a breakup, or grieving process, and some nights you’ll need a rubbish film and some sugar. That is okay. Don’t worry.
- Keep adventuring. Everywhere on this planet has beauty. There are hidden gems in every nook. Going outside is not only very important for your wellbeing, mentally and physically, but you can still go exploring at home. Right after I got back to Devon, I went on a trip to Wales for a weekend that I enjoyed so much. Everyday I try to go for a walk along our many footpaths, and look in hedgerows for flowers and signs of life. I squelch in the mud and remind myself that mud means the earth is alive. Plan your next trip. Plan your career. Plan something, look ahead and know that things will get better. I promise.
A trip to Dartmoor recently. Look at that moss!
How do you deal with the post trip blues? Did I miss something? Let me know.
I’m here to talk to if you need it.
Girl & Stars 