PTB is a serious condition
Post-Travel Blues. Anyone who has recently (or even-not-so-recently) returned from a holiday knows exactly what I’m talking about. That awful dread you feel when you realise that you have to unpack your suitcase, not knowing when you’ll get to use it again. Seeing ads of exotic destinations that you won’t be going to any time soon just make you down and depressed. Hearing others talking about their upcoming holiday plans makes you die inside. Trust me, I am an expert on this subject. And you know what, it’s ok to admit to suffering from PTB. In fact, we need to discuss it more. Put our cards out on the table and talk about it. We can get through this together!
Don’t worry; we’ve all been there
Having come back to Australia from living in Spain for eight months, and then travelling through Europe for an additional month, I suffered PTB quite badly. From only getting out of pyjamas to shower and then hop back into them again, to not leaving the house for a week, I know your pain. Despite having the journey of a lifetime, I have returned home to wonder if it was all but a dream. I’ve held back tears when people ask, “How was your holiday?” I’ve sobbed over boarding passes I found in my handbag. I’ve wandered through the shops trying to feel ‘normal’, but instead felt lost and prone to self-loathing.
How to deal post visiting here???
So how do we battle this? There’s actually some tactics to ease the pain of transitioning back to everyday life and to survive until the next holiday comes around. Here are our tips on how to handle PTB:
Get back into a routine (of your choosing!)
If you are lucky enough to love your job or outside commitments, then don’t hesitate to get back into them. Getting back into a routine is like ripping off a bandaid; it can hurt at first, but the faster you do it, the better you will feel afterwards.
Go on a date
Suit up and get out of the rut!
Whether it be a lunch date, coffee date, movies or something more substantial, give yourself an excuse to get out of your pjs, shower, put on your best pair of shoes and suit up. Take your partner, family member, friend or even just yourself out on a date and enjoy getting out of the house.
Stay in touch with the people you’ve met
Who wouldn’t want to stay in touch with friends like these?
If you met wonderful people while you were travelling, stay in touch with them! One of the best parts about travelling is getting to meet other like-minded people! Stay connected! Who knows, they might be going through the same thing, and could use the mutual support!
Go on a road trip
Just because you don’t have a big holiday coming up, doesn’t mean you can’t have a mini getaway. Hop in the car and explore cities around you.
Catch up with family or friends
There’s nothing like coming home to the people who love you and missed you while you were gone. If anyone will bring you back to reality with smiles and laughter, it’s family and friends.
Pamper yourself
They say “A change is as good as a holiday”…
Get a haircut, a massage, a makeover, whatever makes you feel just that little bit special. I know I’m not the only one who feels like they need a ‘holiday’ after a holiday; my hair is normally ratty, my shoulders are sore and a facial mask could go a long way! A little pamper session can take some of the PTB away.
Try a new restaurant in your town
One thing that we love to do when travelling is eat. A holiday isn’t complete without trying new places and eating delicious meals. Why not take that excitement from travelling back home? So many cafes, bars and restaurants opened up during the time we were away, and now we get to enjoy trying them out!
Write up a new travel bucketlist
Update your travel wishlist
Just because you aren’t sure when you are travelling next doesn’t mean you can’t decide WHERE now. Relive some of the pre-travel excitement by researching places to go and looking up travel deals. Because we all know that you WILL be travelling at some point in the future.
Relive your trip by hosting a photo night
This is a risky one that could backfire. But sometimes we travel so rapidly, that we don’t always get to fully appreciate where we’ve been and what we’ve done. The best thing, is to get some popcorn or chocolate, go through photos and relive highlights of the trip with family and friends. Maybe have some tissues on handy if the sensations of sadness and loss overcome you though.
Recreate your favourite dishes from your holiday
Invite friends over and cook for them a great international feast
I love to cook, and will often ‘Procrastobake’ when I’m down or bored. Learning how to recreate some of your favourite dishes you tasted whilst travelling is a great way to deal with PTB, and impress family and friends with the new meals you’ve learnt to cook!
Find things you loved about your holiday in your hometown
Whoever said you can only have good churros in Spain was wrong
Missing those delicious churros? Wishing you could listen to some French jazz? Check out your local scene for things you loved about your holiday right at your doorstep. Try the new Spanish restaurant, check out the international film festival, listen to some music from that part of the world, or even go down to your nearest bakery for a baguette and go for a French-inspired picnic.
Try learning a language
Learning a language can be a great way to pass the time until the next trip
This could get your mind off the fact that you aren’t in an exotic country as you’ll at least be immersing yourself in the language – and hey, when you do eventually get there (as you WILL get there!), you will be able to speak a little of the language! Even if it’s just to order a meal, you’ll feel proud of yourself for the time you put in beforehand
Take up a new hobby
You know the old saying, “Idle hands make devil’s work”. Well, it also can increase PTB. A new hobby is a great way to get over Post-Travel Blues, as it keeps you busy, you can find a new enjoyable pastime and potentially make new friends in the process. Join a sports team, crafting group or a language club.
Write a blog!
Blog the blues away
It doesn’t have to be huge and you don’t even have to share it publicly if you don’t want to! But it is a great way to keep a diary of what you saw, write down some of the funny stories, organise your best pictures and be able to store your memories to access whenever you like.
So there you have it, a few ways to fight off PTB until the next holiday comes around. Hopefully that next trip will come sooner-rather-than later for all of us! Like I said, we are all in this together, so if you have any other methods to fight off Post-Travel Blues, comment below!
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Well. I don’t know about PTB but I do know that you’ve suffered PTD (Post Travel Disorder) in the first week back. Who wouldn’t after your amazing adventure. But … like you’ve penned, we can do this together. So when are you inviting me over for a Spanish Cuisine Dinner? Can’t wait.
Great ways to beat the post travel blues; better way is to plan the next one, and the next one.
Very true! If only life was one travel journey after the next!