AIBU to be tempted to never go on holiday again due to how low I feel after coming back?

[BiscoffCheesecakes]

I'm half joking. Of course I'll go away again. But I got back from a 4 night UK break with my bestie 2 days ago and I feel so low! I know I'm lucky that I get to go away at all as many people don't but I keep thinking that 1 week ago I was really excited and now it's just back to the humdrum of ordinary life, cooking, cleaning, working etc etc. My day to day life isn't that bad but we had such a wonderful time I wish I could bottle that feeling.

I don't want to book something else as it will still be ages away & I don't want to just be looking forward to the next holiday. Can anyone else sympathise?

I can sympathise. For me it’s all the holiday preprep, then the hassle of getting anywhere, planning and itinerary, making sure it all goes to plan a or plan b etc
then all the unpacking, washing and cleaning etc when you get back.
I opted for a simpler life six years ago and holiday definitely got ditched. Stress free they are not!

What's wrong with looking forward to the next trip? I tend to plan my holidays for the following 12 months at around November time, which is usually after my last trip of the year. I enjoy planning trips, and I'm currently planning in detail the itineraries for the next 3 trips in March and May (2 of the 3 trips involve around 6-8 different locations each holiday because they are touring trips). We are also thinking ahead to the main foreign holiday in 2027 just in terms of it helping to plan whether we need to use this years or next years holiday allowance.

I get through life by knowing I have things to look forward to and generally spend most of my time feeling happy and excited about what is coming next.

I'm the opposite, feel so terribly anxious before I go, I swear I'm never doing it again, then have a brilliant time, rinse and repeat.

@PurpleCooI'm not the sort of person who has to have something to look forward to. I'm more of a live in the moment type person. But I'm struggling with that atm

Yes, i get that. With family holidays I'm usually stressed about packing everything we need, getting to the airport on time etc. But this time it was completely stress free before we went, and during as it was only a 2 hour drive

Yes, the unpacking & washing is the worst!

@BiscoffCheesecakes I just reread my post and realised it makes me sound as though I am not happy in the moment, and NEED something nice to look forward to. That's not the case at all. I love my day to day life, but I also have wanderlust and love adventure so always need to have lots of adventures planned in.

But I completely agree, it's so important to live in the moment, and I try to experience things mindfully and see joy and contentment in the simple everyday things too. Spring is lovely for that with the spring bulbs coming up and the blossom coming out. Things like that make me appreciate home. I now have a little wander around my garden every day, enjoying life emerge from hibernation and seeing things bloom and shoot. Perhaps you can channel that joy and relaxation you felt on holiday at home, by noticing these wonderful things we have around us at home too

I can identify a little.
things that helped me a bit:
if you’re not straight back to work have a specific plan to get you up and about the first day or two you’re back. In my case I go swimming.
if you have overindulged a little on the holiday, don’t go straight on a diet. I have a glass of wine first evening back to ease me back!
re the washing, do anything urgent such as damp cossies, towels, but don’t rush and pressure yourself to do multiple loads immediately.

I hate going. I get anxious about the house, and I swear today I felt a wave of grief as I put my slippers in the cupboard just as we left. We’re only away 2 nights! But I’ll miss my home comforts.

I normally do feel better for having had a holiday once I’ve had it. Sometimes not but usually.

I often get a bit low on the final night of the holiday. But I don’t really enjoy return journeys! I’m usually fine once on my way home, just don’t like the thought of it.

I do like a trip to look forward to and plan. We’ve just got back from a half term trip away, and the have got a road trip planned in the summer so that has lots of nice little bits and pieces to plan and book in.

Then hoping to book an interrailing trip for the following year with the kids!

@PurpleCoo thank you for that great advice. Dd2 & I went for a walk yesterday early evening, and i was thinking how spring-like it was. It was quite warm for the time of year and still light at gone 6pm! I had a really nice weekend actually

I think another thing was that I really missed my bestie. We get on so well & had such a laugh while we were away. But all good things come to an end. I'll be ok in a few days I hope

I sympathise. I used to get terrible post holiday blues when working, but now I’m retired I don’t. The worst thing was missing my DH having been with him 24/7 for a couple of weeks!

Post holiday blues....I am so sad when I get home! I wish I could live in an all-inclusive hotel by the beach!

I know what you mean OP, I just came back from holiday in January, but have learnt to manage it better. I have a three month buffer between coming back from holiday and organising the next holiday. That break just helps me accept there are more to life than just holidays as I fell into that rut in my 20s.

I also don't save all my pennies for holidays as I once did, I have less adventureous holidays but I can book events throughout the year.

Thanks for the replies. As it was only 4 nights it seemed to fly by. As a family we go for 10 nights so I'm ready to come home. Ah well, we'll go for longer next time!