You know the feeling. One second you’re dipping your feet in the pool, and the next, you’re dragging your luggage through your front door wondering why holidays end and why adulthood is structured this way.
Honestly, one of the biggest reasons I avoid resort holidays is because the post-holiday slump is brutal.
Unpacking? The worst chore ever invented. Going back to work? Should be illegal.
Mentally, I’m still on a sun lounger. Physically, I’m staring at my inbox in disbelief because what do you mean the world doesn’t stop when I’m on my holiday?
But since we can’t live on permanent vacation mode (I checked, it’s not allowed), here’s how to soften the crash and ease yourself back into the basic life.
7 Steps to Ease Into Post-Holiday Life
1. Reset Your Home Before You Leave
This is the OG gamechanger. Coming home to chaos instantly kills the entire trip you came back from.
Before you leave, do a quick reset:
- Clear the laundry
- Change your bedsheets
- Empty the fridge
- Wipe down the counters
P/S: my favourite trick is to leave some bakhoor around the house. It leaves the best scent when you return home.
2. Give Yourself a Buffer Day
Travel ends on Sunday? Please don’t drag yourself into work on Monday like a not-so-marvellous Marvel superhero.
If you can, take one extra day, a.k.a. a “recovery day”, and use it to:
- Unpack slowly
- Grocery shop
- Rehydrate your soul that is stuck by the beach
- Get your sleep rhythm back
- Prepare mentally for reality
It’s to avoid crash-landing into responsibility.
3. Plan Your Next Break Before You Go
It sounds dramatic, but it works!
Think about it: knowing there’s another break after this break? Just perfect.
If your budget begs to differ, remember this: you don’t need another big trip; just something to look forward to.
Think:
- A weekend staycation
- A spa day
- A short road trip
Your brain likes hope.
4. Unpack ASAP! Don’t Let the Luggage Ferment
I hate unpacking with all my heart – so I get it.
But leaving your luggage untouched only makes the slump worse.
Unpack within 24 hours if possible. It’s like telling your brain, “Okay, we’re back; let’s get our life together… slowly.”
5. Ease Yourself Back Into Reality
Don’t come home and instantly try to conquer your entire to-do list no matter how tempting it is to ‘show productivity’. Do things gradually:
- Answer messages in batches
- Prioritise only the urgent stuff
- Keep meals simple or just order in
- Avoid overcommitting to plans
6. Rehydrate and Reset Your Body
Travelling usually means eating more, walking more, sleeping less, and drinking anything but water.
When you get home:
- Drink up
- Eat something fresh
- Take vitamins or magnesium
- Have an early night
The slump often feels worse because your body is trying to cope.
At the end of the day, sure, reality hits hard after a holiday, but the slump is also a reminder that rest is important.
Your brain loved being offline. Your body loved not rushing. Your soul loved the break because we’re not meant to grind nonstop. No matter what your higher-ups or high-achieving friends and family might say – taking time off does not mean you’re lazy, and it’s what makes all that hard work and those pay cheques so worth it.
So take the holiday. Book the getaway. Plan that mini-break. You’ll come back better every time!