To be ridiculously tearful after a holiday?

[IHTC]

We were away last week and returned on Saturday just gone. I have felt so so sad since we've been back, I could burst into tears and have to distract myself to prevent it actually happening.

Everytime we have a holiday I end up going through this for weeks and I wonder if for some people, a holiday just isn't healthy? I get so caught up in all the fun and love being around all of my family. Then we get back, reality hits and I feel so low.

Is this a thing that nobody talks about? Or am I just being ridiculous as let's be honest, we're very lucky to have had a holiday in the first place!

I don't know but it's interesting!

What sort of holiday was it? And do you mean your extended family? I assume you get on with them then!

There's always a bit of a come down after a holiday. I usually counteract this by having something to look forward to - a meal out, inviting friends round, or just a plan to play a board game with the family the next weekend, for example.

Is this less about the holiday and more about you are not happy with your life? It seems you’re crying becayse you don’t like your reality?

No, I’m always glad to get home to my bed and my things.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this and I bloody love holidays. I love the extra time spent with whoever I’ve gone with, exploring new places, eating different food, reading books etc. All the things I never really do at home. Always by the last couple of days there will be something that I’m looking forward to going hole for though - seeing my my or sleeping in my own bed or having all my clothes in the right place in their drawers, whatever.

Is there something in your normal life that you’re not happy about? Or could you try and extend your holiday by doing some of the things you did on holiday at home - eating breakfast in the garden or something like that for example?

What don’t you like about your normal life?

I'm just back from a weeks holiday and feel low too. My DD1, her DP who we hadn't seen since October and DD2 who we hadn't seen since Christmas all joined us. It was so joyful, noisy and wonderful to have them around. They have all gone now and it is so quiet with just me and DH. I like being in my own house again but I wish my family were still here with me. I do miss them.

I had this. I moved abroad and made my life a holiday. Worked a treat

I've had this a few times, usually after having a really great time. I think it's because life on holiday is so much nicer and I'm sad to go back to reality.

It sounds as though your really don't like your 'normal' life.

Is it your family that you miss? Are you isolated when you're at home?

What don’t you like about your normal life?

Yes, it seems like this is the important question to be asking, OP. I absolutely love holidays, but I'm always kind of happy to go home too.

It is usually a little sad coming back when everyone goes back to school/ work etc. If you are tearful though, I agree that something needs a reshuffle. Perhaps a new job, relocation, study for a career change. It doesn't even have to be major - look at work / life balance, make a pact for special family time at weekends, have a day a week after work and school where you go for a family walk or start a new hobby together.

I think it's normal to have a post-hol comedown. And it's healthy to cry if you need to cry!

It sounds (as pp have said) your day-to-day life gets you down, or is a little empty. We all go through periods like that. I would start with taking up some new, free hobbies and planning your next holiday. You could take up a new team sport or look for a job change. Monitoring your mood (either through an app or just writing stuff down) and making a GP appointment if you feel like the depression isn't shifting could be helpful, too.

Here's to your next lovely holiday OP

Let those tears out. Sounds like you're bottling up your feelings - is that something you do regularly?

It's totally understandable to feel sad after your holiday ends. I often have a good cry at the START of a holiday! It feels like something I need to do to release any stress I'm carrying and shift myself into relaxation mode. Very important to let it out either way, and also to try to tune into why you're feeling that way

I always become withdrawn and unhappy during the last night of my holiday. Sometimes there are tears! I love my everyday life, but sometimes I just wish that holidays would never end.

Are you talking about going on holiday to visit family you don't usually see? or going on holiday with your DH and DCs and spending more time with them than usual?

If it's the former it's a kind of homesickness, and it sucks but you can't do much about it.

If the latter? You need to see how you can rearrange your life to spend more time with them.

We visited Dorset, just outside of Bournemouth. We went with a big group consisting of me, my husband, our daughter, my sister; brother in law, nephew & my parents. We all get on really well!

For the past couple of years I blamed my feelings on work. I don't currently enjoy my job but i'm on maternity leave at the minute so not sure if this could still be a contributing factor. Maybe it's still looming in the background. That said, I have arranged to drop some hours and condense my work so I'm hoping this helps when the time comes for me to return.

Thank you for all your comments, you've all given me lots to think about. Particularly the poster who mentioned relocation as on the drive home, seeing road signs with place names that were more familiar was a particular trigger but I didn't think anything of it at the time.

This is I like camping. I look forward to going away and a week later I'm relieved that I'm back home.

You’ll have to book another holiday, it’s the only cure for holiday blues 💙

Have you been drinking every day on holiday? Guaranteed to make you feel depressed and anxious if so

@ItMustBeBedtimeSurely No, I don't really drink especially since having my little girl. I did however, eat whatever I wanted so maybe i'm coming down from a sugar high!

Holidays always makes me discontent and miserable as the daily grind seems so much worse after a week or two of freedom even if I don't go away.

At least it was evidently a really good holiday, not one of those where you’re heartily glad to be home again. (Wet/cold/far too hot/useless air con/uncomfortable beds/giant cockroaches everywhere/eaten alive by mozzies/midges/suspect food leading to explosive runs, etc.)

I used to get this when returning home to London as everything seemed so grey, dirty and busy compared to the holiday. However, now I’ve moved to lovely countryside I don’t get this feeling anymore as I love where I live.

@Bluntness100

Is this less about the holiday and more about you are not happy with your life? It seems you’re crying becayse you don’t like your reality?

This. ^

@IHTC

I used to be sad to leave a holiday when I first met my husband (and was still living with my parents,) and when I went on holidays with friends (and still living with my parents.) Because as much as I love the parents, I disliked living with them once I hit 18-19 y.o.

So a week or two away from living with them was bliss (probably for them too!)

But now, as much as I love a nice holiday, I am always glad to get back to my lovely, cosy home, my little village, my adorable cats, and my adult DC/family/friends. Never do I ever think 'eww, I wish I was back in Spain/Italy/Croatia.' I enjoy my holidays, but I am always glad to come home.

Sounds like it is your job that's your bugbear though, rather than your personal life. I hope you can find a better one soon that suits you more, and that you're happy in.