Why does it go so fast?
In your 30s, vacations aren’t just getaways—they’re breathers. Between work, family life, bills, and the fun of adult responsibilities, vacations are more than just travel. They're more like a pause. And when that pause ends, it’s jarring. You shift from “Where should we eat tonight?” back to “Did I pay the electric bill?” before your tan even settles in. This is the part of vacation that sucks.
Add in the emotional investment: planning flights, scheduling time off, budgeting, organizing pet sitters, and maybe even getting help from friends or partners. You put your heart into it. And then, in a blink, you’re back in line at the grocery store, wondering if that peaceful version of you from five days ago was even real.
What Can You Do About It?
1. Don’t rush the re-entry.
Give yourself a buffer. Most of us try to pick up right where we left off, and that's cool If you can swing it, avoid diving back into work the day after you get home. Give yourself time to do laundry, order takeout, and just exist before reengaging with the world.
2. Let yourself feel it.
Post-vacation sadness is valid. It doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or dramatic. It means you allowed yourself to feel joy—and now you miss it. That’s human.
3. Bring little pieces home.
Was there a scent, a song, a dish you fell in love with on your trip? Incorporate it into your daily routine. Play the music, try the recipe, wear the sandals. These small things keep the magic alive a little longer.
4. Start planning the next one:
It doesn’t have to be a grand international escape. A weekend away, a day trip, even a fancy brunch with friends—give yourself something to look forward to. Anticipation is half the fun.
Don't let someone ruin your after vacation shine, you beat yourself up enough. So get to planning for that next dream vacation so you'll have the countdown clock reset for your next adventure.