As soon as I got on the boat for the journey home from Kefalonia, my mind was already thinking about everything waiting for me.
Emails.
Projects.
Ideas.
My to-do list.
I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
You’re behind. So many things to do. So little time.
I noticed what was happening. I still had three hours on the boat and another two and a half hours of driving ahead of me. I wanted to enjoy the rest of my journey instead of spending it mentally working.
So I did what I often encourage others to do.
I found a quiet place overlooking the calm sea, opened the Notes app on my phone, and spent about fifteen minutes writing down everything that was on my mind. As I wrote each item, my mind became quieter.
I arrived home early in the afternoon. Instead of opening my laptop, I gave myself permission to enjoy the rest of the day.
I had something nice to eat, watched Netflix and reminded myself that it was still my last day of vacation. The next morning would arrive soon enough.
In the background, the overwhelm lingered.
Before going to bed, I listened to an Eckhart Tolle audiobook to remind myself: “Allow whatever you are feeling. Give it your attention. Let it be exactly as it is.”
When I woke up, the feeling was still there. The pressure. The overwhelm. The voice telling me there was far too much to do.
I smiled. I knew exactly who I was dealing with. My Mr Magoo was back. That’s the name I have given to the part of my mind that creates dramatic stories.
Instead of believing the story, I became curious. Whose voice is this? Where is this pressure coming from? Why do I need to do all this now? What will happen if I don’t?
I made a cup of my favourite Jasmine tea, sat down at my computer and began with the first thing that naturally wanted my attention. Within a short time, I was feeling better. I was focused again. One step at a time felt enough.
Looking back, I realised that what helped me was a series of small, conscious choices.
Three things to do when post-vacation overwhelm kicks in
If coming home from a vacation leaves you feeling overwhelmed, these three simple practices can help you settle your mind and move forward with more peace and clarity.
1. Get everything out of your head
Take ten or fifteen minutes to write down everything that is on your mind.
Emails.
Projects.Ideas.
Errands.
Anything that feels unfinished.
Writing everything down creates space. When your mind no longer has to hold on to everything, it can finally relax.
2. Allow yourself to feel what you're feeling
Feeling overwhelmed after a vacation is part of being human. Instead of rushing to make the feeling disappear, just let it be. Allow yourself to feel whatever is here without trying to change it. We have learned to be afraid of uncomfortable emotions, and we try to avoid them at all costs.
Instead, notice your thoughts and ask yourself:
Who is saying this?
Is it true?
Most of the time, it's just a story created from our conditioning... to be more and do more.
3. Take the first step
Choose one task.
Give it your full attention.
Notice what happens.
Momentum builds one step at a time. Very often, that's all it takes for the mind to settle and for a sense of peace to return.
Watch out for part 2, where I will talk about another aspect of post-vacation blues.