You will likely go through a wide range of emotions when you travel, especially when going to someplace that you’ve never been to before. It starts as you begin to plan your trip, there can be a mix of excitement and nervousness. Depending upon the distance you are traveling, during the actual travel there can be frustration over delays, lack of sleep, rude and inconsiderate other travelers, and uncomfortable conditions. Perhaps there will be jet lag and some disorientation upon your arrival, especially in places that are culturally different than your own. At this point, it is likely that the excitement will return as you start to discover the place that you’ve chosen to visit. With all of that said, as we look back at photographs of ourselves during our travels, we can see the genuine happiness in our smiles. If we had to sum up how travel makes us feel, it would definitely be happy and perhaps a sense of being complete. Despite a little depression when a trip comes to an end, it soon turns back to the enjoyment of planning something new. What emotions do you experience as you travel?
I think we seek a sense of “wonder,” which usually is surprise or amazement or joy but sometimes means “I wonder where we are now.”
We have combated post-trip depression for years now by always having a trip or two planned ahead: we even have a standard toast “to the trip after next.”
LOL. The toast is a very good idea!
I live off the “high” of a vacation for about a month or so following our return home, then my husband and I work on making photo books. With our busy schedules and pickiness on layouts and backgrounds, the photo books take considerable time. The advantage, though, is that you get to review ALL of your photos and enjoy the trip for an extended period of time. We also look at our photo books regularly and get to relive each memory all over again. Within 4 months of getting home, I start researching our next trip. My husband rolls his eyes at this, but travel research brings me joy, and I feel comfortable going to a new spot that I now know quite a bit about.
We don’t do photo books, but that is a great idea. Writing about our travels on our blog help us remember the trip and brings back wonderful memories.
Fulfilled!
Nicely said!
We love to travel, who wouldn’t? It feeds the soul 😊
Great post. I avoid depression upon coming home by having another trip booked
🙂 We try to do the same thing.