the post-vacation slump: how to get over it

Coming back from a blissful break into the daily grind again can be a rough transition. No one likes to come back from vacation, especially if you've been having the time of your life eating cheese and bread in France, sunbathing in the Caribbean or even skiing in Vermont. Ever since I've returned from St. Lucia, I've been missing it terribly. However, I've been finding effective and fun ways to deal with the post-vaca blues:


1.) Create your own travel photo album/journal. This is a great way to reminisce and recall wonderful memories. And for all of you bloggers or photographers looking to get your travel photos noticed, Flickr, Tumblr and Pinterest are a few great (not to mention popular) places to do just that. Want an example of one of the most exquisite travel diaries? Check out Olivia's for inspiration. However, if you're looking for something a little more personal, Snapfish always has great deals on custom photo books.

2.) It may be far off, but start preparing for your next trip. It's never too soon to start researching, especially if you plan on visiting a place with plenty of sights to see and history to digest. And in order to to sniff out the very best deals, lots of reading and Googling is absolutely required! Side note: I had pretty much cleared out the travel section of Borders in its last week and scored some pretty amazing deals. What was originally priced at $29.99, I bought for less than $5!

3.) Plan your weekends or off time accordingly. That is, plan to attend fun weekend events in advance so you have something to look forward to during the week. If I'm running low on funds, I'll check the local paper for free or cheap activities in the area. And homebodies need not be left out! There are tons of cool, creative ways to spice up a typical night. Another idea: create seasonal bucket lists in which you designate your free days as opportunities to check a few things off. On my fall list? Pumpkin-picking and more bike-riding.

4.) If you can afford it and have the time, plan a mini-trip. Nothing too crazy, just somewhere you can take a train, bus or car (road trip!) to. I love having somewhere new to go and the idea of riding in my car with the windows down, sunglasses on and the music blasting. It's important to break the monotony of your routine once in a while, even if just for a day or two. Your mental health will thank you. Bonus: in the off-seasons, things like gas and hotel prices tend to cost much less.

-jillian m.