It’s always a downer when you get back from a trip, be it short or long, and have to face back into real life. Here are a few suggestions to get over your post holiday blues.

1. Unpack and do your washing!

Yes this is the worst part. No no one wants to face unpacking but you will feel better getting all your stuff cleaned and put away asap. Preferably in the first few days.

I’m between homes right now and all my stuff is in boxes in a garage. I’m not sure if this makes it better or worse but having cleared out old clothes I don’t want for the charity shop (I’ve been living out of a bag for months with one pair of trousers which really makes you realise how little stuff you actually need) I feel like I’ve a better handle on life in general.

2. Sort out your holiday photographs

I’ll do a proper blog post later on how to file and edit photographs but to start with download your photos, sort or label them as you prefer, select and edit the best to keep. You get to relive your trip and look back on the best bits which I’ve always found to be a boost. Plus you might find some hidden gems you’ve forgotten about or couldn’t appreciate on a small camera or phone screen.

Ok I’ve only had time to go through my Faroe Islands photos in a week and have thousands from Iceland still to do but it’s so worth it!

3. Catch up with your friends 

(And bore them with your adventures..)

Not really! But make time to see people who you haven’t because you were away. Good friends want to hear about where you’ve been, tell you how great you look and will listen about how life didn’t stand still for them either! Make time for the important people in your life, they’re worth their weight in gold.

4. Plan your next trip 

Or at least start dreaming of it. Get to your favourite bookshop and browse the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide books, visit your favourite travel porn websites, Buzzfeed, Instagram or travel bloggers and start thinking ahead. It gives you a goal to keep you going. I’m writing this in the Stena ferry terminal in Belfast, waiting for the boat to Stranraer in Scotland where, me, my friend and her dog are going camping and seeing the Highland games. The adventure is never over.

Do you have any tips to get over your post holiday blues? I’d love to hear them!