Breaking free from your workplace (even if it’s one of the world’s coolest offices) feels like the ultimate freedom. It’s amazing to finally put all of your pinned travel recommendations to good use while you’re on a long solo trip, teaching English abroad or jetting off for an unforgettable summer vacation. Coming back from the grand adventure though? It takes some major getting used to. Instead of falling victim to the post-travel blues, try six of our go-to tricks for loving life back at home again. These tips will help you cherish all of the memories you made and readjust to your normal day-to-day.
1. Plan a new adventure. Coming back from a trip can feel like a bit of a letdown, as everything you’d been counting down the days for has come and gone. Instead of slumping your shoulders or dreading the daily grind, give yourself something new to look forward to. Get your next journey on the books right away, ’cause having something fun on the horizon will definitely help you feel happier.
2. Go on a mini-getaway. If another grand adventure isn’t feasible in the near future, make it a point to take a mini-vacay. This might be as simple as driving a few towns over to have lunch somewhere new and scope out the scenery or spending a weekend away with friends, fam or your boo. Keep your adventurous energy alive by treating your mini-trip just as you would a bigger one — find cool photos to shoot, talk with locals and find joy in discovering something new.
3. Rediscover the things you love about home. Finding yourself back at home after visiting far flung locations or spending time somewhere radically different and oh-so wonderful can feel like a bummer, but you can find pleasure in the things that make you happy about being home. Maybe it’s sleeping in your own bed, the incredible water pressure from your apartment shower, bumping into neighbors on the street or treating yourself to a cupcake at your favorite local bakery. Whatever it is, jump back into rediscovering the little joys — you know you missed ‘em while you were gone.
4. Go through your photos. Once you’ve unpacked and settled back in, find time to sort through the photos and videos you took on your trip. Whether you have images from your DSLR or lots of cool footage on your phone, load them all onto your computer or print your faves so you can easily save, display and share all of the incredible moments. Looking for a creative way to showcase your best shots at home? Try a gallery wall or lettered photo art. SO wanderlust chic.
5. Share highlights from your trip. Were you gone a long time? Did you travel to a place that your friends are dying to know more about? Make it a point to get together with them to share the most inspiring and interesting highlights and lessons. If your long-term travel experience might benefit others, look for networking, speaking or teaching opps that’ll let you rave about your trip. Travel blogs, vlogs and social media are also fun ways to broadcast highlights for people who are looking to learn about a journey just like yours.
6. Keep your adventurous spirit alive. Maybe you felt more confident trying new things while in vacay mode, like learning to speak a foreign language or cooking cultural dishes. Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you need to give it up! Think about taking a class, picking up a few books or continuing your learning online. Work hard to embody the things you loved about the traveling version of yourself or your destination at a distance and you’ll definitely be able to preserve some of the magic.
How do you beat post-adventure blues? Spill your secrets with us on Twitter @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.