Gentle Intentional Living

  • Navigating the Post Holiday Blues

    Being away on holiday can offer us a great deal in terms of “filling up our cups.” Seeing new places, visiting people, and embracing cultures that differ from our own. Not to mention the little pleasantries that come with being away, such as good food, sleeping in and not having to think of day-to-day chores and work tasks that often infuse our daily lives. In contrast, returning home from an enjoyable holiday can sometimes be a different experience. It’s not uncommon to experience a range of emotions upon returning home, when the harsh thud of reality hits and the gentle bubble of time away diminishes all too quickly.

    A street scene in Bali featuring shops and decorations, with a motorbike traveling down the path surrounded by greenery.
    Back street of Bali

    What are Post Holiday Blues?

    Post-holiday blues refer to the feelings of sadness, anxiety, or lack of motivation that people often experience after returning from a holiday break or vacation. It’s a common emotional dip that can happen when transitioning from a relaxed, enjoyable environment back to the structure and responsibilities of everyday life.

    What are the signs of Post Holiday Blues?

    Some of the signs of post-holiday blues can include:

    • Feeling tired or sluggish despite having rested
    • Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated
    • A sense of disappointment or longing for the holiday experience
    • Irritability or moodiness
    • Trouble sleeping or disrupted routines

    Why do we experience the Post Holiday Blues?

    We can experience post-holiday blues for several different reasons, such as:

    • Sudden Change in Pace: Holidays often involve freedom, fun, and spontaneity, while daily life can be structured and demanding.
    • Emotional High to Low: The contrast between the excitement of travel and the monotony of routine can feel jarring.
    • Unfinished Business: Returning to a backlog of work or responsibilities can feel overwhelming.
    • Lack of Anticipation: Without something new to look forward to, we can feel stuck or uninspired.

    Importantly, these feelings are completely normal and you are not alone in experiencing them. Post-holiday blues are a natural emotional response to a shift in environment and routine. The good news is that they usually diminish within a few days to a week as you readjust back into everyday life.

    How do I cope with Post Holiday Blues?

    It can be helpful to have some strategies to lean on when readjusting after some enjoyable time away:

    • Easing back into a routine: Try not to dive in headfirst to tasks and activities when returning home, tempting as this may be. Consider taking a gradual approach by prioritising tasks which offers time to ease back into everyday life more gently. Establishing a sleep routine (especially if you’ve been in a different time zone) and regular meals can also assist with regaining a routine.
    • Unpack and organise: Unpacking bags as soon as possible after returning home can help us avoid lingering in “holiday mode.” Tidying up physical spaces can also help create a fresh, motivating environment. Maybe it’s watering plants, giving the home a cleaning blitz or restocking the fridge or cupboards. Sorting through photos and souvenirs can help bridge the gap between holiday mode and everyday life. Revisiting pleasant memories can help ease feelings of loss and may even inspire future travel plans.
    • Reflect and Reframe: Journalling or talking about your favourite moments can be a great way of remaining connected to the travel experience while shifting from a ‘holidaying’ mode to a ‘storytelling’ mode. Shifting our thinking from “My holiday is over” to “What can I integrate from that experience into my daily life?” can also help keep us connected to enjoyable memories. Maybe there were certain dishes eaten on holiday that could be cooked at home, or taking some time to learn a new language from a place you have visited. Setting small goals inspired by your trip can be a good way to carry the valued experiences of the holiday back into daily life.
    • Reconnecting with Purpose: This could be revisiting your goals, whether personal or professional or using the refreshed energy from your holiday to re-engage with your passions. There may have been projects that were paused while you were away. This could be a good time to revisit them. It may even look like planning something to look forward to (such as a weekend outing, a new hobby, or your next trip).
    • Practice Self-Compassion: Remembering to be kind to ourselves is an important step as is reminding ourselves that readjustment takes time. Avoiding comparisons with our productivity and that of others and incorporating small rituals of self-care into our daily life can also help ease the transition.
    A close-up view of a stone wall made of smooth, rounded pebbles, arranged in a wavy pattern.

    To sum up:

    • Holidaying can be a great way to fill our cups. However, it can also bring up a range of emotions and physical symptoms when we return to daily life.
    • This can be due to several factors, such as a change of pace, a reduction in pleasant emotions, returning to a backlog of work, or lacking anticipation for the next enjoyable break.
    • Some ways to navigate the post-holiday blues can include gently re-establishing a routine, organising our physical space, reflecting on our memories through journalling or talking to others, reconnecting with what’s important to us in everyday life and practising self-compassion.
    • Viewing a new routine after returning home from an enjoyable holiday as a new beginning may help ease the transition.

    Have you had similar post-holiday experiences? I would love to hear about them in the comments section including any tips you might have.

    -Chris

  • A Rich Life versus an Enriched Life

    Something caught my eye the other day. It was an online page exploring how people create a ‘rich’ life. Yes, given this was on a financial page on instagram, but what got me thinking was how people measure the richness of their lives.

    For some, a ‘rich’ life might include growing financial wealth, acquiring material possessions, having extensive social networks and status in their community or industry. For others, however, it may look quite different.

    My thoughts were swirling over what the differences between a ‘rich’ life and an ‘enriched’ life could be.

    When I think of an enriched life, I envisage meaningful connection, showing up authentically to the people around us, personal growth, and engaging in interests and activities that bring us joy and nourishment. I also pondered over whether curiosity and wonder at things larger than us could also be a good fit (consider nature as an example).

    A view of tall trees reaching towards the sky, surrounded by greenery and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

    Potential Aspects of a Rich Life versus an Enriched Life

    Rich LifeEnriched Life
    FocusMaterial wealthPersonal growth, meaning
    Source of FulfillmentExternal (money, status)Internal (values, purpose, connection)
    Longevity of JoyMay be transientLasting and deep
    Dependent OnCircumstances, resourcesMindset, choices

    (This may differ for you)

    Measuring an Enriched Life

    As my curiosity grew, I went down an online rabbit hole looking into things to do with an ‘enriched life.’ As it turns out, there is even an enriched life scale! Developed by researchers in 2018 and tested on U.S. military veterans and civilians, the scale measures aspects of an enriched life;

    • Genuine relationships
    • Sense of purpose
    • Engaged citizenship
    • Mental health
    • Physical health

    I found it pleasing that it was defined to me in this way and noted the inclusion of mental and physical health. You can find more info on the scale here.

    Returning to my own perspective, I reflected on how at times we might be striving for aspects of both; a rich life and an enriched life depending on our own unique circumstances.

    Knowing that everyone’s situation is different, I wondered what small steps each of us might take to start building a more enriched life each day.

    -Chris

    References used:

    Angel, C. M., Woldetsadik, M. A., Armstrong, N. J., Young, B. B., Linsner, R. K., Maury, R. V., & Pinter, J. M. (2018). The Enriched Life Scale (ELS): Development, exploratory factor analysis, and preliminary construct validity for U.S. military veteran and civilian samples. Translational Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/iby109

  • Leaning into the seasons

    The seasons are shifting here in the Southern Hemisphere. Autumn has arrived. The mornings are brisk and chilly, with a hint of frost, while the days are often sunny and mild. Some of the leaves are turning shades of red, and yellow, whilst others are turning brown or dropping off their limbs without even changing.

    As someone who finds transitions challenging, I notice this time of shifting seasons stretches me in uncomfortable ways.

    Difficulty with transitions

    What clothes will I wear given that the day will likely include multiple weather offerings?

    How will I readjust my routine now that the days are getting shorter?

    When will I walk the dog?

    When will I manage to get a snippet of sunshine?

    And..where on earth are my warm knits?

    Embracing a seasonal mindset

    Please don’t get me wrong, I do love Autumn. I find that with all of the changing seasons, embracing a ‘seasonal mindset’ helps me transition into the changing rhythms of the day so much easier.

    Cosying up and leaning into hygge vibes. Finding those cosy knits and enjoying putting them on again – almost like a soft, warm hug from an old friend.

    Walking around my local area and noticing the changes in nature.

    Seedpods drying in the sun, chillis ripening on their compact bushes, dry leaves crunching underfoot.

    The smell of the earth following a scattering of rain, leaning into comforting recipes and noticing the changing array of vegetables available in the fruit stands.

    A plate featuring a variety of colorful vegetables, including yellow and red peppers, green beans, and white beans, highlighting the abundance of autumn produce.
    Produce from my garden

    A part of me notices the losses that come with each changing season, such as saying goodbye to the predictable warmth of summer, the long balmy evenings, the abundance of nature and summer fruits, and long walks with my dog. These losses, however, open up space to invite in those aspects of the shifting seasons that we can connect with.

    A dog walking on a leaf-covered path surrounded by trees with yellow and green foliage, representing the beauty of autumn.
    Walking my dog in nature

    That nurtures us and gives us space to shift our routine with the changing rhythms. In this case, offering us space to slow down, notice and appreciate what is around us.

    How do you lean into a seasonal mindset with the changing rhythms?

    -Chris

  • The First Post

    The Day was quiet. I had woken up with a migraine and was not feeling well. I had managed some basic household tasks in the morning and spent the afternoon in quiet contemplation in a sunny spot inside. The afternoon sun flitted through the gaps in the horizontal blinds, beaming onto my kitty basking in its warm glow. Snuggled under a blanket, soaking up this treat of sunshine, I pondered the various directions of my life. 

    Where was I? Where was I headed? Where did I want to be headed? How would I get there?

    Just the small stuff, right?

    I began thinking how nice it would be to have a space for such contemplations – an online haven even. A place to return to when the world feels messy and chaotic..even unpredictable. A place such as this. 

    I took a moment to wonder if people do still blog in 2025. 

    I then thought why did it matter if it brought me joy? 

    I decided to investigate further and so this space was created. 

    A close-up view of vibrant pink tulips blooming in a garden, surrounded by lush green foliage.
    Tulips in bloom in Ngunnawal country

    I’m excited to see where it goes, an internal home that I can return to, and share my reflections with those who care to read them. 

    You are most welcome to join in my journey. 

    Perhaps you will even share a little of your journey, too.

    Gratitude, living in the moment, curiosity, creativity and the lure of adventure…

    Let’s see where this space leads..

    -Chris