Help! I have a serious case of post-travel blues…
Hey everyone,
So I’m writing this post with a bit of a heavy heart. I have been feeling so so down lately, and a bit lost, and I just don’t know where to turn to or what to do about it really, other than write it all down a big long blog post and try to work out what the hell is wrong with me!
As most of you will know, I recently returned from the trip of a lifetime across America. I had the best time of my whole life and made friends with so many new people, most of whom are now lifelong friends. We have become so close and I miss them all dearly, every single day. They all live in Australia and New Zealand, which makes it even harder when you live the other side of the world in rainy old England! I talk to most of them as much as I can – thank god for FaceTime! – and we all keep in touch on our group Facebook, but it’s just not the same!
I’ve experienced travel blues before, I often feel a bit down when I’m back from a holiday or city break, I guess it’s only normal, but this is a whole different thing all together. I’m experiencing something I’ve never dealt with before, I’m sad all the time and I feel low even when I have other people around me, like my amazing family and my friends from home. I guess it’s the intensity of being with so many people for such a long time, living with them day in day out, sharing the same adventure and going on the same journey together which makes it such an intense experience – we all bonded and clicked, and maybe that’s why I’m finding it so hard to be without them all.
I think I’m also struggling because I haven’t had a ‘normal’ routine to go back to – I quit my job in order to travel and focus on my blog for the rest of this year, which I’m doing, and I’m so lucky to be in a position to be able to do so, but I’m finding it incredibly lonely and, at times, I’m struggling to adjust to my new life. So many people have said to me ‘oh you’re living the dream’ or ‘oh why are you moaning you don’t have work to get up for tomorrow’ and yeah, I get that, I see where they’re coming from, but at the same time I don’t have anyone around me during the days when I’m at my lowest point and I’m dwelling on the past. I don’t have anyone to have my lunch with, and I don’t have anyone to talk to if I’m feeling like things are getting on top of me.
Maybe I’m suffering from sort of mild depression, and I say that very very carefully, as I know depression is a terrible illness that affects so many people. I’ve dealt with a mild form of depression before; when I was 15 and I had eating problem and body issues, and then again when I was 21 and I dealt with my first heartbreak. At times I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, I went through darkness where I cried for hours every single day, for weeks on end, and it took months for me to get back to the real me, and to feel as I had done in happier times. So I’m not saying this on the same level, or in any way comparable to people who have suffered with and have been diagnosed with real depression, but it’s kind of the only thing that describes the way I’ve been feeling lately.
I’m trying to cure my travel blues by keeping busy, focusing on my blog and developing my freelance writing jobs and of course by keeping active. I take my dog out for a walk every single day, and she keeps me company by sitting at my feet whilst I type away furiously on my laptop! I also see my friends as much as I can and I’m constantly texting/FaceTiming people so that keeps me busy, I guess I just need to fill my time and plan things to look forward to until I feel content enough to just relax and enjoy life. Maybe I’m just a bit nervous at the moment, what with not having a full time job and I’m wondering how I’m going to make a proper living, but I think I just need to take a step back and stop WORRYING! I find that so hard though, I worry about everything, I just can’t help it.
Sorry for the rant, it just helps sometimes for me to get things off my chest! Have any of you ever experienced post travel blues before, and have they ever been on this level? I’d be keen to know if such a thing actually exists, or if I’m just being plain stupid!
Please tell me if it’s real, or if it’s all in my head…
Love Jess x
Hi Jess, sorry to hear you’ve been feeling blue 🙁 went through something very similar after my year abroad and it’s very common by the sounds of it! I would 100% recommend just delving into your blog etc and also learning a new language if you’re looking for something to take your mind off it. V challenging but since you travel so much it’ll bring a whole new dimension to your journeys! Hope you’re doing well.
Hey Becky! Thanks so much for your comment, it’s reassuring to know that I’m not the only one that has gone through something like this! I think I’m just going to throw myself into my blog, create loads of new content and focus on my freelance work. Learning a new language is a fab idea, I’d love to look into that when I have the time! Lovely to hear from you, hope all is well with you too – take care! Jess x
Oh, it does exist! I sort of settled in my current location about 3 years ago after more than 10 years moving around, and there’re still days I feel that way. I guess travel becomes a big part of who you are, and without it you sort of feel a bit lost. Maybe working from a cafe or working space would help with the being lonely and eating lunch with people? Maybe that’s why that’s such a popular practice among freelancers
Either way, hang on, it gets better once you stop looking at what was, and start thinking about the even more amazing adventures your new career path will allow you to experience 🙂
Hi Henar! Thanks for your lovely comment, I think I’m just missing being on the go all the time and exploring different cities etc. My next trip is in two weeks time though so at least I have that to look forward to! Working in a café is a great idea, that would enable me to at least chat to others at lunchtimes etc. Thanks for the tips I’ll definitely take them on board – hope you’re well! Jess x
Oh it’s real, but it will get better. X
Contiki blues Kate! X
Aww I can very much relate to this right now. Cannot remember how I came across this blog post. Did you post it in the GLT group? Just wondering if it was taken down. We need a post-travel support group I think. Also, how do you get your instagram photos to show up in the blog? I really like that 🙂
Thanks for your comment Paula! Yes I did post this in the GLT group, not sure why it was removed though? Maybe cos I posted a link to my site? I just wanted to share my story with people – we definitely need a post travel support group for people going through the same thing – that way we can share each others tales! And it’s so simple to add insta pics to your blog posts – just copy the URL from your insta photo and paste it anywhere on the page! I use WordPress but it may be different for other sites… Happy Travels and thanks again for your comment! Jess x
The post travel blues are horrendous! Anyone who knows me will profess that I am so moody on the return home that I am a nightmare…All my love for home life goes out of the window, I am constantly antsy that I’m not moving all the time & the British weather makes me want to weep!! But I adjust after about a month 😌
So sorry I have only just seen your comment! I totally agree, I feel so sad when I travel home especially from amazing trips like the one I took in America last summer! I find it really difficult to adjust being back to normal life, but it helps to get back to planning my next trip straight away, that takes the edge off a little, although it still sucks to be home doesn’t it! Jess x