Shifting Perspectives on the Post-Travel Blues

Stephanie
14 comments
about 8 min
1 Aug 2024

So, you’ve just returned from a fun-filled adventure, and now reality feels as dull as a rainy, grey Monday morning. Post-travel blues are real, and they can hit hard. But here’s the thing: those feelings aren’t just about missing exotic destinations or new experiences - they’re a sign of how much your journey meant to you.

Instead of succumbing to a cycle of nostalgia and frustration, why not use this moment as an opportunity to embrace the positive impact of your journey? Let’s shift our focus from longing to contentment, and turn those post-travel blues into a source of inspiration and reflection. By savouring the memories and lessons from your trip, you can fuel your everyday life with the same energy and enthusiasm that made your adventure so special.

solo female traveller posing in thai island

Home Sweet Home? Adjusting After Adventures

Backpacking as a solo female traveller in my late teens and early twenties, coming home after my travels was always challenging and it sucked. I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness each time I returned, as if the adventures and experiences I had on the road were the only things that gave my life meaning. The reverse culture shock was way more intense than the initial culture shock of landing in a completely different part of the world. Nothing had prepared me for it!

Being back home seemed mundane and uneventful in comparison, and I struggled to find the same excitement and joy that I felt while exploring new places. When you're travelling, it’s like you’re on a growth spurt - pushing your boundaries out of your comfort zone, diving into new cultures, picking up new skills, meeting new friends and soaking up new languages. But when you get back home, it can feel like that amazing growth just sort of fizzles out. It’s like everything stayed the same while you were away, leaving you feeling a bit stuck and out of place.

The contrast between how much you changed and how everything around you feels unchanged can be a real downer. It’s tough to readjust and find your spot in the world you left behind. Suddenly, home doesn’t quite feel like home anymore as you left pieces of your heart scattered across the places you explored and loved.

My travels began to feel like a distant memory as I slowly re-adjusted to my old way of living. This constant comparison affected my mood and overall outlook on life, leading to a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction.

In hindsight, I realise that I didn’t appreciate being back as much as I should have. I was so focused on the thrill of travel that I overlooked the value of stability and the comfort of familiarity. I missed out on the simple pleasures of being home - like spending time with family and friends, enjoying home-cooked meals, and having a routine. This lack of appreciation created a ripple effect, affecting not only my mood but also my relationships and day-to-day life.

Shifting Perspectives to Appreciate the Present

Let’s be real… Post-travel blues is a total first-world problem. Travelling is a privilege, and we need to spin our viewpoint to see the positives. After all, travelling itself is a luxury not everyone has the opportunity to experience. When we return from a trip, it's easy to focus on the sense of loss and the adjustment back to routine. However, this perspective might overlook the inherent privilege of having the opportunity to explore new places in the first place.

Instead of dwelling on the sadness of returning home, we can shift our viewpoint to appreciate the positive aspects of our travels. My most recent gap year adventure at the point of writing this blog, was a European whirlwind in 2022, where I jumped from a ski season in Austria straight into volunteering at a surf hostel in Portugal; and as much as I love exploring new places and meeting new people, I have to admit - I really missed the comforts of home towards the end. There’s something about privacy, familiarity, and the warm embrace of family and old friends that you just can’t find on the road. And…if I’m being honest, constantly introducing yourself and sharing your life story gets old pretty fast (especially if you volunteer at a hostel like I did).

With age (and maybe a bit of wisdom), I’ve come to realise the beauty of being present. If you're always looking for fulfilment elsewhere or in the future, you're just wishing your life away. This constant longing leaves you feeling empty, always craving more, and never fully content.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to adopt a glass-half-full perspective. Every trip provides valuable experiences and memories that enrich our lives. By focusing on the new insights, connections, and personal growth gained from our travels, we can transform post-travel blues into a reflection of gratitude and fulfilment. It’s crucial to keep your head above water and find joy in the little things. Now, I make a conscious effort to appreciate the moments of stillness and the beauty in the ordinary. I’ve come to understand that life is a balance of highs and lows, and both are essential for a fulfilling existence.

Instead of seeing home as a place of stagnation, I now view it as a sanctuary where I can recharge and reflect. I focus on the positive aspects, like reconnecting with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, and enjoying the comfort of my own space. I’ve learned to find joy in small, everyday moments. Whether it’s a morning cup of tea, a walk on the beach, or simply laughing with loved ones.

This shift in mindset has had a profound impact on my well-being. By appreciating both the adventures and the quiet times, I’ve found a sense of contentment and balance. Life is so short and I’ve embraced a perspective that every experience, big or small, contributes to my overall happiness.

solo female traveller van life in portugal

Keeping the Travel Spirit Alive

Remember, while the trip itself might be over, the memories and experiences you gained are yours forever. Here are 10 tips I’ve used to keep that travel spirit alive, appreciate the present, and help those travel blues fade away:

Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's okay to feel a bit down after an amazing trip. Recognise your emotions and give yourself permission to feel them. It’s a sign of how much the experience meant to you!
Talk to Friends and Family: Share your experiences and feelings with those who understand. Talking about your trip and the adventures you had can be a great way to process and enjoy your memories.
Create a Routine: Getting back into a routine can help you feel more grounded. Plan your days with activities that you enjoy and that keep you busy.
Explore Your Hometown in a New Light: Sometimes we overlook the beauty and excitement in our own backyard. Embrace home by discovering new places, trying new activities, and appreciating local attractions.
Stay Connected with Travel Buddies: Keep in touch with the friends you made during your travels. Whether it’s through social media, email, or even planning a reunion trip, maintaining those connections can bring a sense of continuity to your travel experiences.
Satisfy Your Wanderlust by Meeting Other Travellers: Join travel communities, attend meetups nearby, host your own event with Workaway. You can also meet other Workawayers passing by your hometown through Travel Buddies! These allow you to meet like-minded people, share your travel stories and hear about others’ adventures.
Take Time and Be Patient: Give yourself time to gradually adapt back to your normal life. It’s okay to take it slow and ease back into your routine, which can help with getting back to work after a break.
Keep Memories Alive: Talk about your adventures, share your stories, and reminisce often. Go through your photos and videos, create a scrapbook, or write about your experiences. Reliving those moments can help keep the adventure alive in your heart.
Plan Your Next Adventure: Start planning your next trip, even if it’s far off in the future. Having something to look forward to can be a great motivator and keep your spirits high, making it easier to cope with post-travel blues.
Embrace Home: Incorporate elements of your travel destinations into your daily life. Cook meals inspired by the cuisine you enjoyed, decorate your space with souvenirs, or listen to music from the places you visited. This can help you stay connected to the feelings of joy and adventure you experienced. But most importantly, hug your loved ones a little tighter, appreciate the little things in life and be present instead of reminiscing about the past or worrying about the future.

group of exchange students travelling chile

One of my favourite sayings I want to share is: “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s green where you water it.”

While the trip itself may be over, the memories and experiences you gained are yours forever. Reframing the experience in this way allows us to savour the journey rather than mourn its end. Implementing these tips to keep the travel spirit alive, acknowledging your privilege and appreciating the present can make your everyday life feel a bit more like an adventure and help the travel blues go away! Embracing this mindset can lead to a greater appreciation of both our travels and our everyday lives.

Whether you're dealing with post-travel blues for the first time or looking for new ways to ease the transition, remember that you're not alone. I hope this post makes you feel seen, helps you navigate the transition back home better and keep your travel-inspired zest for life.

Safe travels and happy homecomings!

solo female posing along jersey channel islands coast line

life lessons inspiration post-travel

About Stephanie

Stephanie was born on an island and raised in a British/Portuguese multicultural background. From a young age, she learned how to embrace different languages, traditions and cultures. This upbringing ... show more...

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