Life Transitions
This change can be a challenging transition for some of us. But what is the reason for this? Is it that some of us see a vacation as an escape from our present situation, maybe in a specific area of life? Hopefully, this "post vacation blues" will be temporary for most people because it is a normal human reaction to transitions when change occurs.
What are transitions? Transitions are key turning points that we experience during our lifespan2. Transitions begin with an ending phase to embrace a new phase2. The narrative we create around a transition in life influences what it becomes, a crisis or an opportunity2. Difficulty with transitions depends on how much the change has impacted or disrupted our lives and how long it takes to adjust to something different1. The adjustment to transition from vacation to work will take less time as it is not as life changing as losing a spouse, a career move, or midlife. Neuroscientists have proved that humans are hardwired to resist change1. The portion of our brain called the amygdala perceives change as a threat and wants to protect us, setting into motion a series of events to put us in "survival mode," resulting in an initial feeling of fear.1
Most of us would prefer that our familiar life structures not change unless by choice, but we know that is not a reality. To successfully move forward with transitions, we must view change as normal experience in life and not lose hope. For people who do not possess the" psychological flexibility" to adapt to change over a prolonged period, speaking with a professional and increasing social support may be helpful3.
Some personal suggestions for overcoming "Post Vacation Blues"
- Return home a couple of days before I must return to work, and start easing back into daily routine.
- Think about the
change as a normal part of life.
- Practicing gratitude for what I have.
- Taking a little extra time for myself to sit on the patio, sip a cup of coffee and enjoy the outdoors.
- I extend the benefits of feelings of happiness and freedom experienced during my vacation through my thoughts.
Changing our experience narratives is one of the most powerful ways of finding hope in life's transitions from a personal perspective.
A vacation should not be an escape from our present reality. If this is how you feel, it is probably time to ask yourself some questions to start creating a life you want to live. Start with one goal in your life where you feel the greatest need for change. For me, this was my job. After you identify your specific goal, write it out and set a timeline for achieving it. Visualize what your life would look like and feel like when you accomplish your goal. Then ask yourself what you would have to do to achieve this goal. Who can help you achieve this goal? Don't try the same things that did not work in the past. Ask yourself what new actions you can take to achieve your goal. Then no matter how little, begin taking action steps. Get support from family members, friends, or a coach who will motivate and help you achieve your goal.
I will continue this series and discuss some other life transitions. I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or a question. I hope you have been motivated toward achieving the life you desire.
Ann Nalini Babwah.... PharmD., (Currently pursuing M.A. in Human Services Counseling —Life Coaching).
References
- Andreatta, B. (2017). Wired to Resist: The Brain
Science of Why Change Fails and a New Model for Driving Success. 7th Mind
Publishing.
- Brown, A. (2015). Mid-career reframing: The learning and development processes through which individuals seek to effect major career changes. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 43(3), 27291. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2015.1028888
Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 865-878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.001
- Rickly-Boyd, J. M. (2013). Existential authenticity: Place matters. Tourism Geographies, 15(4), 680-686. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2012.762691
This is a very helpful article. It's true that if your vacation seems like an escape, then you need to take a deeper look at your life and investgate what is making it so difficult and what you can do to improve it!
ReplyDeleteI love the part with having coffee on the patio 😊
Thank you for sharing these useful tips to help deal with "Post Vacation Blues."
Very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very insightful and thought-provoking piece. Very relevant to a 21st century lifestyle where change is fostered on an individual on a frequent and consistent basis.
ReplyDelete