How to Cope with Post-Travel Blues

Coming back from a holiday is never anything pleasant, unless, maybe, the holiday wasn't pleasant itself. Usually though, when the long-expected getaway from responsibilities, routines and work schedules ends. It takes a few days, or even weeks, to get comfortable in the familiar patterns of daily life again.

Now, imagine stretching the one or two weeks of holiday to a whole year of your life.

Coban Pelangi, Java, Indonesia

In July 2023, I packed a backpack and left the country to finally make my pre-pandemic dreams come true, even if it was four years later than I had originally planned. Nearly a year later, in June 2024, I am coming back from my travels for the summer. Soon enough, I started perceiving, that after a year full of unpredictability, new jobs, people, and places, getting adjusted back to the life I once knew can be arguably hard. While our home towns stay more or less the same visually, we perceive the change of time through the people we've known. 

The first week went well, as I was meeting up with many of my loved ones, both family and friends. As I kept witnessing the evolution of my friends' lives, I noticed that the times have certainly changed. Some were getting married or talking about starting a family, while others were successfully progressing in their careers. And as much as I was happy for them, I also felt that the relatability between my life and theirs was more distanced than ever.

I did not have a job to come back to, therefore, I had plenty of time to overthink my seemingly directionless situation. In one moment, all my travels felt like a dream I had suddenly woke up from. That's how unrealistic my memories seemed to be, while the reality was ever present and daunting. So what now? It's been over a month, and I am doing quite well. So I decided to give out a few tips which may help if you are dealing with post-travel blues.

Get in touch with friends you met on your travels

Think about the amazing people from around the globe you met. They have most likely stood in the same shoes as you at one point or another. Speaking to someone who understands your situation can be magnificently healing.

Give out clothes to charity

One of the lessons every backpacker learns is how little clothes they need and use. There are probably many pieces in your wardrobe sadly just sitting there, not been touched in years and most likely never will be again. Clean your space, clean your mind. What one doesn't find useful, someone else certainly would. Make a stranger happy while making room to embrace the new you.

Make the most of the time with your friends and family back home

As fun as backpacking is, there are times when you may feel so far from home, and so lonely in the unknown land, that you would give anything to see your good friends or family in person. I remember quite a few of these moments, while I was down under in Australia. When times were tough, I would stay on the phone for hours listening to a voice which felt like home to me.

No matter how differently your lives evolved over the time you were gone, they are still the people you love. And if they are the right ones, they feel the same way about you. Do all the things you wish you could do with them when you were far gone, and make more memories you will remember whenever you are apart again.

Listen and learn from friends living at home

Not everyone has to travel around the world in order to be interesting. Those who prefer to get settled earlier in life than you, probably hold different priorities which are just as valuable. As much as it is nice to have a tribe of spontaneous wanderers around while travelling, we should honour the opinions of people who plan more and jump around less. Due to our different life paths, we can advise each other on the life areas one or the other is not so familiar with.

Go out and explore your own country

Do the same thing you used to do, only within the borders of your home country. The one I come from, Czech Republic, is relatively small, only about 30, 500 square miles. Yet, there are so many towns, castles, hills, national parks, and other treasures I have never been to. For me, hiking and camping out in the wild is the ultimate remedy to cure the "world-sickness". It also makes me appreciate my native land more, as the risk of being eaten alive is practically non-existent, unlike in Australia or Indonesia.

Le fin

Whatever we do comes with a trade-off for something else. Through backpacking, we may not gain career recognition or social status, but we gain emotional intelligence and humbleness. One day the time to settle may come for all of us, my fellow wanderers, but if it is not meant to be this day, then bone voyage to you. See you out there.