First world problem- to feel so sad holiday is over

[NameChangeLifeChange]

Our much anticipated week away has finally drawn to a close and this whole last day I’ve felt so sad, culminating in crying behind my sunglasses watching my children play in the pool.
Its been a tough and tight year financially and this was our light in the dark. We have had the loveliest week even though on a budget and I feel so sad to come back to the UK with all the work stress, back to school, cost of living etc etc.
Such a weight has been lifted this week and we’ve had so much fun. I just feel so sad. It’s pathetic and we are so grateful to have had a holiday at all.

I always feel like this when I go abroad. If I had the money I'd emigrate in a heartbeat. Yanbu.

Chin up...it'll be Christmas soon! ❤️

Ah, the back to reality slump.

Trickier this year as cost of living makes it expensive to do again. We normally book for the following year but this year will have to think very very hard about it.

@Sunnyqueen i know every time I’m somewhere new I think the locals look so much happier and the pace/quality of it life looks so much better.
@yougotthelook I know and I love Christmas but a frugal festive season just seems sad.

If you lived there you would have to deal with the normal lifestyle drudgery .

You were on holiday so you can't compare.
Everywhere is experiencing cost of living issues.

Make a list of cheap free Autumn things you are looking forward to op. Frosty walks, digging out some boots and jumpers, hot chocolates, bonfires, pumpkin carving, making soup, picking blackberries, crunching through fallen leaves. Think about making some half term plans to look forward to even if it is just cheap day trips.

Also for a frugal Christmas pop to The Works for some cheap stocking fillers for the kids, they've got a sale on.

I've lived abroad a life time ago and done the drudgery whilst being skint there. I'd still rather be skint in Spain or Greece than skint in the UK if I had to pick.

I feel like this every year tbh.

As soon as I get home I book somewhere for the year after. It helps a bit.

Same. I'd much rather be broke in France. Better food, language, architecture, sightseeing, transportation, museums and vibe.

The Spanish people all just seem so happy, well dressed, lovely kids, fit and healthy. Dreaming of popping to a bar after work for tapas instead of drudging to the tram in pissing rain, rushing to collect the kids from overpriced after school club.
I know it’s mostly holiday blues and people in Spain have normal life crap but god with that background and food and culture I think I’d cope better!

Gosh, I'm always glad to be home. I enjoy my holidays but unpacking that suitcase and collecting the cats from the cattery and then sinking into the sofa and just being home is wonderful for me.

I've lived abroad in the sun and even when skint and the cost of things was through the roof as it was way back then, it was infinitely better than being skint here.

OP I always feel like that too, especially when it's been a much anticipated and longed for holiday!
We're lucky, we live in a nice house and have work and I love my life mostly but I'm always happy to be away experiencing new places and things etc

I can never understand people who dislike holidays.

I find it works to mentally start planning the next one pretty soon after. I love all the research etc and always have a load of places on 'my list'.

I also love looking back at the pbotos of the various places we've been. That gives me great pleasure.

I often feel like this OP.

I like to make a photo book when I get home, it makes me feel all the lovely happy, relaxed feelings that on had on the holiday itself.

Also I made a photo collage of our last holiday abroad & it's full of sunny days, DC playing in the pool, beautiful scenery etc & it lifts my spirits just to look at it.

I totally understand the holiday blues so you have my sympathies.

It's a reminder of how time passes, of our mortality- that "that" moment, period Of your life, Is now over and can never return. A bit Like Sunday night blues multiplied tenfold.

Sounds like you’re also releasing some of the stress from a tough year.

@anotherpotoftea i think that’s definitely it too. Physical space between us and the stress of life has been a real tonic and I feel almost afraid to go back to the real world.
I’ve already said to DH we are coming back next year- come hell or high water!

At least you've been on holiday. My DD is autistic and won't travel anywhere so we've not been on holiday in years. I'd swap with you in a heartbeat.

@LizzieBet14 im sorry that must be hard. we are so lucky to have been away (FWIW it’s the first time in years and we have driven to a friends place so not an easy package deal but still!)

Oh god don't add calling yourself pathetic to your woes! Of course it's natural, I've felt the same before. Its having to press the play button on stressful stuff again, isn't it? Don't best yourself up OP, plan some lovely little things for yourself when you're back like a bubble bath, download a new book on Kindle, movie night in, body cream that smells like coconut and reminds you on holidays and so on.

I felt exactly the same when we came away from the last holiday so I completely understand OP. I really think unless you experience this feeling too it’s very difficult to empathise with. I don’t know if social media has a hand in this when you often see others on holiday living ‘their best lives’ throughout your timeline.

@WonderingWanda

Frosty walks, digging out some boots and jumpers, hot chocolates, bonfires, pumpkin carving, making soup, picking blackberries, crunching through fallen leaves

none of that sounds remotely appealing

I used to cry on the last day of my holidays too.
What helped me, was to remember that the main reason I'd enjoyed it, my family, I was taking home with me, and while we couldn't live like a holiday full time, we could make more effort to recreate the feelings/experiences. Meals where we had chats, going swimming, nice walks and so on. Wherever possible I'd also start mentally planning the next one right away. Even if it's a long way ahead.
And lastly, unless your regular life isnt very happy (which would be a different issue) you will soon adjust and the feeling will pass.

I used to feel like that too, was always incredibly grumpy & teary on the last day of the hols. But I did also find that I was better able to deal with the daily stresses when I was back too, for a while anyway. Hope you are too OP x

Ah, I usually feel the same OP, the holiday blues.

I've got them at the moment, although we didn't actually make it abroad, we had to cancel our long awaited holiday (which we had booked 3 years ago and postponed twice due to covid) because DC1 broke his elbow and needed emergency surgery a few days before we were due to fly, so wasn't allowed to fly 😭

DH won't let me book anything for next year as he's worried about the cost of living rising 😩

I am holding out for pumpkin spice drinks and gingerbread to get me through autumn. Not quite as exciting, but got to have something to look forward to!