Coming back home after a fun time vacationing away can bring up feelings of sadness in some people. The traveling high we get from booking flights to other lands, running to the unknown and being surrounded by new and stimulating things can mean crashing down badly when returning to the familiar. I have narrowed down a quick list of tricks that have worked to keep my spirits up in between escapades which I am sure will help you as well.

Collect souvenirs during your travels

Travelling is collecting experiences, moments and encounters. It is a fun, exciting and hopefully educational opportunity. I really believe this discovery should be reflected in every thing you do and in your home as well. Souvenirs are equally as important as experiences for me when I visit a new place. Perusing artisans markets and design stores are some of my favorite things to do abroad. You learn so much from a country’s art and savoir-faire in handscraft, textiles or leather work. Take your time to check out handmade baskets, woven fabrics, paintings and art objects, rugs and jewelry.

Plan ahead - do your research! What is your destination known for? Where can you find it? Create a list of places - stores, ateliers, exhibit - where you can buy these objects;. Get an idea of the prices ahead and consider conversion rates to make sure this can work with your budget. Pay attention to local customs, bargaining prices is accepted in some cultures, sometimes even expected.

Think logistics - consider your luggage! A team carry-on traveler will not be working with the same space as someone enjoying the full 2 suitcases allowance (on international travel). Small decorative items, trinkets and jewelry will work best in small travel luggage while a full size suitcase will be more accommodating for throw covers, trays and pottery. Always remember to keep your most precious buys with you in your carry-on whenever possible.

Display your treasures

Having your suitcases full of goodies will have you excited to unpack once you get back home. Displaying your travel treasures around your home will not only add that world traveler touch to your home but it will also prolong that feeling of newness and discovery you had abroad. Look for ways to incorporate new findings in your decor; create new pairings with sculptures and pottery; refresh your gallery wall with maps of countries from your bucket list. If you love jewelry and collect it wherever you go like I do, frame earrings and necklaces sets as in museums.

Another thing that we rarely do anymore these days: print your best travel pictures, frame and hang them around your home. While most of us immediately upload photos from our trips in location for the pleasure of our friends and family on social media, it is also good to surround ourselves with visual mementos of our adventures; whether you went on a camel ride by the pyramids in Egypt or took the mandatory selfie with Machu-Pichu in the background, having a good old paper printed shot in your hands is always the best thing to remind yourself that yes, you have been there and yes, you did it!

Finally, for hoarders like me who collect every piece of paper they receive during their trips, scrap-booking is the best way to keep all your mementos in one place when it comes to train, concert, museum tickets. A habit I have also taken in collecting coasters from every bar or restaurant I visit which helps greatly when blogging or to make recommendations to friends later on.

Host a themed get-together

Keep your travel high by sharing what you have seen, experienced and loved about your recent trip with others. Another great way to beat your travel blues is to host your friends and family once you are back and settled. Design your themed party around the places you just visited so your entourage can also get a taste of your trip as well. Whether you choose to host a themed cocktail or dinner party, it is your chance to get creative with your travel treasures; brought back some spices from Morocco? whip up an appetizer with those flavors. If you got some interesting teas from China or India, try your hand at creating a signature cocktail for your guests. Decorate your table with coasters, trays, runners you brought back; serve your dishes in pottery from other countries. Letting your friends and family share a bit of your experience abroad and hear your recommendations for their own future trips is also a convivial way to maintain that sense of amazement and happiness we get when we explore. It is also the occasion to catch up with them about what happened in their lives while you were away and maintain your social circle.

Explore your city

When the travel blues hits you, it is easy to believe you have seen everything there is to see where you live, that there is nothing left to discover, that it has all been done, that the fun is elsewhere and that you need to go there NOW. However, think about it: your location is probably also a destination for other people, coming to explore and learn everything about the cool things happening there. Put on your tourist shoes and try something new you have always wanted to do but never tried before in your city. I know living in Washington DC and being surrounded by so many monuments, as time went, all these majestic buildings had become a blurry background to my daily routine. Only when I tagged along with family visiting once that I got reacquainted with my city and why I loved it so much. Cultivating the same curious spirit you bring in your suitcase abroad will also sustain you in those in-between times where we are losing patience

Plan your next trip

Ultimately, the best way to fight your travel blues is to go on another trip soon. While hosting friends, decorating and exploring the hidden corners of your city, start researching your next destination. Whether you are working from a bucket list or letting your whim guide you, use your “down” time to research the places you are interested in, local attractions, safety and of course start working on your budget. One thing I always do, whenever possible, is paying a visit to the embassy or the cultural center of a potential destination in my city, join groups on social media dedicated to travel to get more tips and tricks to improve my travel experience and why not, connect with locals as well.

The traveling bug is a tough one to beat and it can be hard not to reminisce of the best times you had in other places. I hope these tips will be useful to keep you entertained and keep your travel blues away. Until your next trip!