Post-Vacation Re-Entry: A Guide to Returning to Regular Life
Let's talk about something that doesn't get enough attention in the travel world: that weird, messy space between adventure and everyday life. You know what I mean - when you're fresh off a life-changing trip, but your regular life is just...waiting there, exactly as you left it.
I've been traveling nonstop this year, and I'll be honest - it's caught up with me. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically. That constant push-pull between wanderlust and wanting routine has become real. When I'm traveling, I long to be home. When I'm home, I often feel like I don't belong. Unless you've lived a life on the road, it might be hard to understand this internal tug-of-war.
Receiving texts like this one from trip goers is very common. Remember—we’re here for one another.
Here's what I've learned about making this transition less jarring (because let's face it - going from go karting in costume around the streets of Tokyo to staring at an overflowing inbox is nobody's idea of fun).
Give Yourself Permission to Feel All the Feels
That post-travel emptiness? Totally normal. You've just experienced something transformative, possibly made deep connections with fellow travelers, and stepped way outside your comfort zone. Of course regular life feels a bit...bland in comparison. I often find myself battling internally with having this immense privilege of being able to see the world but also feeling guilty for craving more routine and normalcy in my life.
The Buffer Day is Your Best Friend
Trust me on this one - book your return flight for at least a day before you need to be back at work. This isn't just about jet lag (though that's real too). It's about giving yourself space to process everything you've experienced. Sometimes the medicine we need comes wrapped in experiences we didn't choose, and we need time to unpack that - literally and figuratively.
Practical Tips That Actually Help
Ease Back In Slowly: Your inbox can wait another 24 hours. Focus on basic self-care first:
Unpack (I know you want to leave that suitcase sitting there - don't)
Stock your fridge with familiar comfort foods
Get outside for some fresh air and natural light
Rest, but try to stay awake until your normal bedtime
Handle Work Like a Human: When you do dive back in:
Block off focus time for catching up
Keep your first week light on meetings if possible
Be realistic about how much you can actually accomplish
Keep the Travel Mindset Alive: Just because you're home doesn't mean you have to lose that sense of adventure:
Create a photo album, make an Instagram Reel of your trip, or print and frame some of your favorite trip photos while memories are fresh
Stay in touch with your new travel friends
Plan your next adventure (even if it's just a local day trip)
Incorporate little pieces of your travel experiences into daily life—buy local art that you can hang on walls, jewelry that reminds you of your trip when you wear it, or some spices so you can recreate those culinary masterpieces you experienced abroad in your own kitchen.
Finding Balance in the In-Between
Sometimes it feels like the world around us is falling apart, and we're watching it crumble in slow motion. Travel reminds us that we're all going through something - that connection to humanity doesn't have to end when we come home.
A few weeks ago, I found myself wandering through northern Okinawa's rain-soaked forests with a shaman (yes, really), and I found unexpected clarity. Travel has this powerful way of stripping away our everyday roles, letting us just exist—even if briefly—and showing us exactly where we're meant to be.
My goal for 2025 is to find that sweet spot between adventure and routine. Maybe that's what we're all searching for - not just the next destination, but the ability to feel at home wherever we are, whether that's in a foreign country or our own backyard.
Remember, the post-travel blues aren't just about missing your adventures. They're often a sign that your travels have changed you in meaningful ways. The challenge - and the opportunity - is integrating those changes into your everyday life.
Have you experienced this post-travel tension? How do you handle the transition back to "real life"? Drop a comment below - I'd love to hear your stories and strategies. We're all in this together. 🌱
