The Crash Landing: 5 Ways to Cure the Post-Trip Blues
You did it! You navigated the airports, charmed the locals, kept the kids (mostly) happy, and stuck to the budget. You returned home triumphant, with a suitcase full of memories and a slight tan.
Then, you opened the door.
The mountain of mail, the overflowing laundry hamper, the empty fridge, and the immediate need to set 14 alarms for the school/work routine. The beautiful, unhurried pace of travel slams into the brick wall of reality, and within hours, you are officially infected with the dreaded Post-Trip Blues.
That feeling of "Why did I ever come back?" is real—especially for parents who are returning to their role as Chief Logistics Officer. But here at Waymaker, we believe the adventure doesn't end just because you’ve unpacked your bags. It just changes venues.
Here are five budget-friendly strategies to transition from "totally awesome" back to "perfectly functional" without losing that travel magic.
1. Give Yourself a “Landing Strip” Day
The biggest mistake is scheduling your return flight for Sunday evening and your return to work/school for Monday morning. It’s a recipe for burnout.
The Waymaker Move: Schedule a “Landing Strip Day.” If possible, return on Saturday or Sunday and take Monday off. This day is not for catching up on email. It's for:
Unpack Only the Essentials: Clothes for Tuesday and toothbrushes. Leave the rest of the suitcase shut.
Order Takeout: Plan to buy food for the first night. No cooking allowed.
Screen the Memories: Spend 30 minutes scrolling through your favorite photos as a family, validating the amazing experience you just had. Then go to bed early.
2. Become a "Tourist" in Your Own Town (The Budget Adventure)
Part of the post-trip blues is missing the novelty of discovery. Who says you can't have novelty at home?
The Waymaker Move: Pick one night a week to run a "Local Culture Night."
Recreate a Meal: Did you love the street tacos in Mexico or the pasta in Italy? Find a recipe (often free online) and cook it together as a family. Bonus points if you can use one of your cheap spice market finds.
Visit a Local Gem: Go to that free museum, state park, or obscure historical marker in your city that you've always driven past. Approach it with the same curiosity you had in a foreign country.
Listen to Local Music: Find a playlist of music from the country you just visited or the one you want to visit next. Dinner party, world traveler style.
3. Start a “Dream Jar” of Small Wins
A big part of the emotional crash is the realization that the next big trip might be months (or years) away.
The Waymaker Move: Immediately pivot that travel excitement into future planning. Get a physical jar and label it “The Next Semi-Adventure.”
Fill it with Hope (and Change): Drop any spare change you find into it.
Dream it Up: Ask the kids, "What was the absolute best part of our trip?" Write those answers on small slips of paper ("Eating gelato every day," "The big statue," "The friendly dog"). Use those slips to influence the next trip, and every time someone feels sad about being home, they can add a new idea to the jar. The adventure is already waiting!
4. Create a "Sensory Souvenir Station"
Souvenirs don't have to be expensive trinkets; they can be sensory reminders that instantly transport you.
The Waymaker Move: Gather your budget-friendly sensory souvenirs and put them in one spot.
Smell: Use that special soap or sunscreen you only used on the trip, or burn an incense stick you bought from a local market.
Taste: Make that local coffee, tea, or snack you brought back last longer by making it a special "Travel Treat" enjoyed only on weekends.
Sight: Print out your absolute favorite family photo (even a cheap one at the drug store) and put it on the fridge. It’s a high-impact, low-cost reminder of the joy you found.
5. Acknowledge the Grieving Process
Post-trip blues is a form of letting go of something wonderful. It's okay to feel sad!
The Waymaker Move: Validate the emotion. Don't tell your kids (or yourself) to "just cheer up." Say, "I know, it was amazing, and it's hard to be back. I miss our adventures too." This shared empathy is a powerful bonding experience.
Remember, you successfully planned and executed an incredible, memory-making trip. You are officially seasoned semi-adventurers. Now, take that energy, that resourcefulness, and that sense of fun, and apply it to your life at home.
The next adventure is always closer than you think.
Is the laundry pile bigger than your mountain memories? Let us handle the planning for the next one! Contact Waymaker Journeys today—we’ll make sure the dream of your next trip starts soothing those blues right away!