How Do You Handle The Post-Vacation Blues?

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Vacations are my favorite. There’s nothing better than escaping reality for a little while to relax, unwind, and appreciate what really matters in life. The ins and outs of the daily grind can be draining after a while, and that’s where a good vacation comes in. But the thing about vacations is they inevitably come to an end.

If you read Wednesday’s post, you know I took a sort of impromptu social media/technology break while I was in Italy. I got to enjoy my vacation more than I ever expected! We were there to celebrate Tess’s wedding, but we also got to experience a lot of the great things the city of Florence has to offer too. We took a guided tour of the Uffizi Museum and Palazzo Vechio, and also toured the Baptistry and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Tom and I biked all around the city together, along the Arno River, snacking on croissants and espresso. We even stumbled upon a vintage market that was one of the best I’ve been to!

Any time I take a trip or vacation, I experience the “Post-Vacation Blues,” or PVB. I dread returning to reality and having to be a responsible adult again. It really highlights my level of laziness, if I’m being totally honest. I just want my life to be a permanent vacation! But the PVB are never quite as potent as when I return from Italy. Usually, from visiting my sister. I don’t know if it’s my “grass is always greener” mentality getting the best of me, but life just seems to be better over there. The food, the coffee, the laundry detergent – the way nobody is rushing to get anywhere. The people are truly trying to enjoy every single second of life. And it’s just so insanely beautiful! A city that’s centuries old is such a feast for these art-loving eyes.

(No wonder Tess moved there.)

So upon my return, there is usually a let down, a sort of depression that sinks in. I’m sure part of it is just that I miss my sister, and another part is that I always thought I’d be the one moving to Italy. That, coupled with my desire to avoid adulting at all costs, leads to me feeling less than thrilled to return to reality. It usually takes me a few days (ok fine, a week) to get back to feeling somewhat normal. (Jet-lag doesn’t exactly help either). But the PVB still linger close under the surface. I try to get back into exercise, stay well-rested, and eat healthy meals to combat the PVB. I’ve also been doing a few minutes of deep breathing which helps reset my mind to a more positive place, filling me with gratitude for the incredible life I have, as opposed to nostalgia for a fantasy one I don’t. This, for me, is clutch. Focusing on all the amazing things I have in my life – my loving husband, my friends, this city – it keeps me grounded and grateful.

Tell me, do you experience the “Post-Vacation Blues?” Do you struggle going back to reality or are you one of those people who looks forward to returning home? Is this a normal thing, or am I the only one?! If you’re like me, please share any tips or tricks for beating the PVB please!!