Upon the completion of a mindblowingly fabulous vacation, the reality of returning home can suddenly fill us with sheer terror: work? But you don't want to work! There's gelato to be devoured and Italian men to gazing at! Doing the dishes? Psh! That's what dining out at exotic restaurants is for! Your previously favoured haunts can seem utterly stale, and the need to whip off and experience more travelling can be INTENSE. 

So! How do you cure a serious case of the dreaded post-holiday blues and alleviate symptoms of wanderlust when all you want to do is play frisbee on international beaches? Why, take small, languid steps - and maybe pick yourself up a scoop of gelato on the way. It'll make doing the dishes just that much more exciting, I promise!

Ease Back Into A Routine

Goodness, you're not really thinking of returning to the office tomorrow, are you?! STOP! It's important to allow yourself recuperation time in making the transition from a holiday to reality, so ensure that you dedicate at least three days to this after your escape, and give yourself permission to unwind, sleep and ease back into a sense of routine/concept of time.  

Re-Discover The Beauty Of Your City

Okay, so it may not contain the twinkling lights of New York City or the sights and sounds of Tokyo, but it's still your city, and there's still plenty of magic to be found! If you've fallen slightly out of love with your location, it's time to restore the passion by exploring new terrain: venture into the opposite side of town, shop in a completely different suburb or play tourist by visiting the very best landmarks, restaurants and beaches your city has to offer! 

Get A Culture Fix

Listen to Brazilian music as you clean the house, throw together a delicious pasta meal in a nod to Italian dining or learn to speak German. Not on a holiday? Who's not on a holiday?!  You'll certainly feel as though you're on a holiday!

Plan Your Next Big Adventure

Although it may sound like a blindingly obvious solution, planning your next vacation is one of the very best (and most fun!) ways to cope with post-holiday blues. It'll help you to feel more motivated and it will keep the inspiration fires flaming, too.

Live As Though You're On A Permanent Holiday

What was it about your holiday that made it so spectacular? Was it the mugs of hot chocolate consumed in cafes` during the wee hours of the morning? Dancing on a weeknight? Use these treasured memories as a catalyst for change, and a fantastic opportunity to create more delight in your everyday, non-vacation life. During a vacation, I think we automatically have a heightened sense of adventure, and an increased desire for fun: an ''ah, I'm on holiday, so I'm going to do whatever I want! I'm going to do EVERYTHING, and have the time of my life!''  philosophy - it's amazing, but why can't we live with this mentality ALL THE TIME? Why can't this be our daily attitude? Why not go bowling on a Monday night, diving on a Tuesday and bungee jumping on a Friday? Who says that we have to wait for a travel expedition to explore everything that we've always wanted to try? No-one, that's who! Live as though you're on a permanent holiday now!

♥

xoxo

(Image thanks to NixieMichelle.)