I recently read an article about a troubling reality: vacation doesn't actually make us happier. It's an interesting concept, because maybe we just feel happier while we're on vacation, but immediately digress back to our original unhappiness the minute we step foot in our homes. Maybe there's something we can do to help deal with those crap-I'm-home-now blues.
It's simple, there are a few things that can be done pre-vacation to make post-vacation much easier. These may be things that people already do, but, when I go on vacation in August &mdash I will not leave home until these few (very important) things are done:
&bull Clean the house: It may seem like the absolute last thing on earth you're going to feel like doing before you leave for vacation, but I always keep this in mind. You're going to be pretty upset when you arrive back home from your tropical vacation and you're most definitely not going to feel like cleaning (especially if you have pets, because they'll have left a plethora of things to clean up).
&bull Laundry: Make sure all of the laundry is finished and there are clean sheets on your bed. You've been used to the daily turn-down service at the hotel and it'll feel wonderful to walk into your clean room with fresh, clean sheets calling your name after a long flight.
&bull Groceries: Non-perishable, of course. Make sure there are things to drink (even just bottled water) and other non-perishable items in the house. You might be hungry when you get home, or may even want to cook breakfast the morning after getting home. You probably won't want to run to the market first thing.
&bull Rest Day: If you're afforded the luxury of ample vacation time, or just say the heck with it &mdash add an adjustment day! If you're returning on a Sunday you're going to need Monday to recoup before returning to the office.
For even more tips, check out Covering All the Bases Before Vacation
What do you do to avoid the post vacation blues?
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Oh that's great. I love it. And funnily enough I do all of the above before leaving and I must must commit an extra vacation day to "rest day" if I don't, I'll wind up having a sick day.
-anna
chateausavoie.com
This makes me so sad. I think we should love our homes, that when we return from vacation it feels comforting and even inspiring. Home is where the heart is (or should be) right? As a designer I feel it is my calling to help others LOVE where they live, to make it their home a safe haven from the world, and to create a space that inspires them.
As much as I love my home (& I really love it!), there's nothing like laying on the beach all day, staying in an awesome hotel & not having to worry about "chores". That's more of what I was talking about, not actually being upset about being in our own home.
nothing is more true than rule #1. I love returning home to a clean house. I got home from a work trip at 2am last night, and was so comforted that my house was tidy when I walked in.
My theory, based on years of studying, um, me: vacations make you happy before they happen. Once I clear the time on my calendar and pick a destination, I have something to look forward to. And, since it hasn't happened yet, it's perfect. I'm free to imagine excellent weather, glitch-free flights, a room with a view, and easily obtained reservations at fabulous restaurants.
My number one most important requirement for a vacation is to have a rest day. Period. Otherwise I'll end up taking a sick day just like Anna Savoie.
I think it's important not to look to a vacation as an answer to all of your problems. If there are stressful things going on, getting away may help you to relax, think clearly, and deal with them when you get back; but realize that you *are* still going to have to deal with them when you get back. Vacation isn't a magical salve to cure all the sh*t in life.
where is the bedroom from in the lead pic? a house tour? love it.
Yep, I felt like this during the decade I lived in the steaming pit that is Shreveport, LA working as a highly paid corporate cockroach.
Taught me to live somewhere awesome and do something fun, even if it's in a tiny (but very cool) pad and a low pay (but very fun) job.
Since then, I love to travel, I love to come home, and I pretty much love every day between!
I agree with Kara - vacation makes me happier. I love to be away, but am always happy to get back home to my home and kitties.
Cleaning the home in advance is essential though. It also helps that our travel style is to rent apartments - that way we come home with all clean laundry and can relax upon returning home.
I don't think this phenomenon can be helped with a well-prepped home. Or a vacation, for that matter. There are no quick fixes to depression, stress, and dissatisfaction with one's life. If you work on creating a life that is truly fulfilling (which has almost nothing to do with material things), returning home from vacation might be busier, but a joy.
@purlgreyhound --
Quite so - Vacations are like a carrot on a stick: Something to look forward to and strive for...
...unlike the whole concept of "Staycations" pretty much keep you in the same-old-same-old.
So what if you're plunged back into your everyday-hum-drum world when you get home from vacation: You've just had a unique life experience that is irreplacable - That alone should make you happy.
Mmmmm. Ironed sheets!
I think the whole concept has more to do with expecting too much from a vacation in the first place, and in trying to do too much so that you you never have down time. If you are on a tour, for instance, maximizing things so that you take every optional side trip and never stop and sip the coffee!
But coming home to a clean and welcoming place and having at least one "at home" extra day before returning to work are both critical parts of a vacation to me, as well.
I recently came home to a newly moved-into apt full of packed boxes, no groceries, and dissembled Ikea furniture. But after 2 weeks in rural Philippines, I couldn't be happier!! The key, I think, is to go somewhere awful and then you won't be sad about not having ironed sheets!
Damn it! I'm on vacation now and I forgot about groceries and clean sheets. Now I'm gonna miss that when I get back home. I wish you had posted this a week ago. ;-)
I think the best thing is to pack & plan for the next few days, up to a week, AFTER vacation (especially if you're only going for a weekend). Before you leave, make sure you have enough clothes for the next week. Make a plan as to how you will eat when you come home to an empty fridge. And yes, for God's sake, give yourself some downtime. Even the most relaxing vacation can seem arduous if after it's done you have to make a 6-hour drive or something similar to get home!
When we're driving, we try to plan a "long" trip back, stopping at roadside attractions and such, so that we can preserve the vacation feeling a little longer.
I enthusiastically agree with the laundry and adjustment day suggestions.
Why would you stock up on bottled water, though? It's really pointless/expensive/unsustainable to buy bottles of water for your home. It's one thing to buy a bottle if you're outside and have forgotten your reusable bottle--it happens to even the most "green" among us.
Rather than buying bottles of water, I recommend using a refrigerated filter (Brita, Pur, etc.). Also, refill that ice cube tray before leaving for vacation.
ak_grown --- Why would you "vacation" in an awful rural area? That's not a smart thing to do if you want to have a rest. And to call that place 'awful' is inconsiderate.
ak-grown - I know what you mean. Our "vacations" usually entail having a marathon visit with in-laws leaving both my husband and myself thrilled to be home. Kind of like reading a book or seeing a movie about people have it worse than you making you a bit more thankful about your own life!
I completely agree with the above, having just gotten back from a trip (these apply to any trip, not just vacation). So nice to get back and not to have to do laundry or clean anything right away.
The key is to have a a month of vacation not a week, and then unfinished laundry and no groceries do not matter to me. It's a crazy world where people have 15 days of vacation a year, period. And do not take me wrong I love my job, but it is not the only thing that I love.
ak_grown -- wow really? i have spent some time in the Philippines, both urban and rural, and i loved it there. any country has it's good and crappy parts- i guess i lucked out.
or maybe it has to do with the person, no?