By Gail Marsh
RV vacations—those glorious times when we hit the pause button on our hectic lives, bask in relaxation and create treasured memories. But what happens when the vacation ends, the RV is back in storage, and we return to our regular routines? Enter the post-vacation blues. I used to think I was the only one who felt a little “down” after an RV trip. Turns out, post-vacation blues is fairly common.
What are post-vacation blues?
Post-vacation blues, sometimes called post-vacation depression, is the feeling of sadness or low mood that can occur after returning from an RV trip. It’s like that lingering cloud that hovers over you as you transition back to everyday life. You might feel unmotivated, sluggish, or even a bit down as you reminisce about the fun and freedom you had RVing.
Is it normal?
Absolutely! Post-vacation blues are a normal and common experience. Many people go through it, regardless of how fantastic their vacation was. It’s a natural response to the abrupt end of a period of enjoyment and relaxation. After all, you’ve been hiking mountain trails, browsing through museums, enjoying local eateries, and seeing amazing sights. Once back at home, sorting through a mountain of mail can be a bit of a shock to the system.
How to avoid post-vacation blues
While it may be impossible to completely avoid post-vacation blues, there are ways to minimize its impact:
- Plan your return wisely. Instead of returning home late Sunday night and rushing to work Monday morning, try to come back a day or two earlier. This way, you can gradually readjust to your daily life.
- Stay active. Physical activity can boost your mood. Go for a walk, hit the gym, or do some yoga to get those endorphins flowing.
- Stay connected. Keep in touch with the friends or family you vacationed with. You can also look over the photos you took or review the trip journal entries you kept. Talk with your RV travel partner about your trip together. Reviewing RVing memories can help keep the good vibes going.
Remedy post-vacation blues
If you find yourself deep in the post-vacation blues, don’t worry—there are ways to lift your spirits:
- Plan future adventures. Start planning your next getaway. Having something to look forward to can be a great motivator and mood booster.
- Relive/preserve your trip highlights. Create a scrapbook or photo journal about your RV trip. Share your experiences with friends. Reliving those happy moments can bring a smile to your face.
- Incorporate vacation vibes into daily life. Did you love the morning beach walks or the leisurely breakfasts? Try to integrate similar activities into your routine. It might be a morning stroll in the park or a relaxing weekend brunch at home.
- Practice gratitude. Focus on the positives of your vacation and what you’re grateful for in your everyday life. RVing really is a luxury that many folks are not fortunate to experience. A gratitude journal can be a great way to reflect on the good times and appreciate the present.
- Stay social. Spend time with friends and family. Social interactions can help combat feelings of loneliness and keep your spirits high.
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After months on the road, I “kinda” look forward to the simplicity of not fretting over where we’re gonna park tonight, will our mobile residence fit where I’m needing to put it, did the Jeep take damage back there under tow, which pothole will be “the one”, etc…..
in our world, being in the stationary home is akin to being on vacation since staying in our house has far fewer daily logistics than experiencing life in our RV. The almost episodic lifestyle it brings is one of the things we climb into the RV to escape. Funny how it works out that way…..LOL
Vince…I agree completely! On retirement we thought we would go out for many months at a time. Nope…about 4 to 6 weeks and we’re ready to be back in our country home. We enjoy our trips, but frankly, we also look forward to being back home.
I think we have had vacation blues since the 2020 virus shutdown! We haven’t used the motor home since for any extended travels or the car either even for groceries for fear of catching the bug! Since then my wife’s untimely failing health has stopped her travel altogether! No fun for me to travel alone and I can’t leave her alone anyway as she needs hourly care. So, I sit in the motor home every evening, xthr permitting, and watch the so-called news for an hour and drink a beer or two before making supper. I love that motor home so much- sad to see it sit!
We try to get on the road, even for a one-nighter close to home. The trick is to NOT unload everything when you come home, maybe even keep a 2nd set of clothing. Then, pack a couple frozen pot pies and off you go.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 We tend to stay in the campground until Monday morning and then get a late start home (especially when heading home from one of our bi-annual trips to DC) to avoid any rush-hour traffic near our place of departure. When we arrive home later that day (or the day following), there usually is enough delayed work awaiting us, that we haven’t any time to dwell on the depression of which you write. However, if it should arise, planning the next trip usually takes care of it. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
No, I like to go home and so does my dog. We have no neighbors for a mile, and I have lots to do on the place. We do short trips and always have another in mind.