Two Minutes Du Jour

Summer is the quintessential vacation season. Our getaways bring so much positivity, from anticipating the fun to languishing in the getaway.

Then there is the return. Even if you love your home, life, work, family, and friends, returning presents a reality check: Vacation is over.

Or is it?

While the actual days off on the calendar may be complete, the memories and discoveries can keep the vacation vibe strong.

Journals and Postcards

When the kids were little, we’d keep track of all the license plates we saw on the drive. We’d each guess how many different states we’d see between home and our destination and other variations of firsts, e.g., when we’d see Alaska or Hawaii.

Each day, I’d write a short description of the journey—everything from where we went to what we did, what we ate, and funny things we heard (or did). We’d also send postcards to the grandparents, cousins and friends … and sometimes, I even sent a postcard to ourselves to receive the week we came home.

Nothing stops us from playing games, noting interesting things or sending greetings to others. These small acts take just a few minutes and bring more fun and mindfulness to our lives post-vacation.

Mementos

Among my favorite souvenirs are something to wear or a cookbook from the region I visited. The kids always liked to get a magnet—we’ve got a door full of memories to go along with school and sports photo magnets. Our youngest kiddo liked to collect key chains; he just put his new keys on a key chain from a trip to Montana about 15 years ago!

I’m notorious for collecting seashells from the beach and rocks from the mountains. You’ll find these around the house and in my office—little displays of nature.

Mementos keep the trip alive for years to come.

Show and Tell

With social media, chances are you posted your photos and shared the highlights, but a few other ways to capture the trip include in-person socializing. When a co-worker returned from three weeks in Europe, we scheduled a Friday morning show-and-tell at a French patisserie. Similarly, I’ve hosted a few vacation-themed parties over the years, recreating the experience—everything from food to a tablescape of treasures from our journey.

Sightseeing

Most vacations include sightseeing and plenty of walking. All those steps energize us, so keep it going when you get home. Summer is perfect for staycation activities, perhaps on a Friday afternoon. Check out what the tourists do in your town and discover what makes your region special. Add an evening walk around the neighborhood, just like on vacation when you want to explore one more thing before wrapping up the day.

There are so many ways to keep the vacation vibes alive in our everyday lives, and that keeps us going until the next adventure.

Two Links Du Jour:

Tips for Keeping that Post-vacation Feeling – New York Times

Why am I so sad after vacation? How to deal with post-vacation depression — Thriveworks