I’ve been having a week, and it’s only Wednesday. Maybe it’s the change in weather, maybe it’s the dread I’m feeling at having to avoid pounds of Halloween candy in the next few weeks (a task at which, no doubt, I will fail), or maybe it’s the fact that I just got back from a blissful 2-week vacation wherein I spent copious amounts of time without cell phone reception and with my how-is-she-possibly-this-cute 3-month old niece so now coming back to the reality that is my LIFE is just a little too damn much for me right now, OKAY?
Wow. Sorry about that. PVSD can really hit you out of nowhere.
The classic signs of Post Vacation Stress Disorder include:
- Sudden bouts of rage
- Feelings of hopelessness, despair
- Inability to process seemingly simple emotions
- Decision paralysis regarding “normal life” dilemmas
- Emotional breakdowns in the grocery store, when all you came in for was bananas because those are simple and easy and you love them by why god why are the only ones left the really, really green kind that make your mouth hate everything
The list goes on, but these are the most important symptons. If you have recently returned from vacation (recently being a relative term), and are experiencing any one of these, you may be suffering from PVSD.
The good news is treatment is available. If you’re experiencing signs of PVSD, here are 10 things you can do right now to cheer yourself up.
- Eat an ice cream cone/entire pizza/slice of vegan-gluten-free-hypoallergenic cheesecake.
- Hang out with Azuki, the camping hedgehog.
- Text your best friend a series of seemingly unrelated emojis and eagerly await their response.
- Learn the truth about U-Shaped Pillows (thanks for the link Semi-Rad).
- Go for a walk, preferably in nature.
- Plan a surprise Card Mob for someone you care about. Bonus points if you figure out how to incorporate a t-rex balloon.
- Google “puppies” (or kittens, if you are into that sort of thing).
- Sign out of your social media accounts for the entire day; stay signed out.
- Watch this video. I don’t want to ruin it, but it will be the best 0:35 of your life. If that doesn’t do it, enjoy this New Zealand-er tell you all about how to take care of your “deck”.
- Start planning your next vacation. Think critically about how to bring your favorite blogger along in your luggage.
As someone who encourages others to be a vacation taker, I practice what I preach and suffer for it. These tips make each day a little less unbearable, and I hope they help you too. Happy Travels!
