So, what’s next?! Have you seen everything you want to see on big trips and are happy to settle back into normal life in your home country? Do you want to try living abroad? Do you want to save up and travel more? Are you tired and want to rest up, see family and friends and then decide later? Are you now broke and needing a job? Do you have more answers now about your life or do you have more questions than ever before? Have you changed while your friends at home haven’t and you’re struggling with support? These questions and many other musings are very common amongst those who have spent a long time on the road. 

I’ve met many people who are happier than ever after returning from their travels, having achieved what they set out to do, having gained new self-confidence and having new energy and purpose. Likewise, many of my friends struggle to adapt to life at home and their mental health upon returning home. Only you know you and how you will feel. If you do face challenges with your mental health, maybe check out my previous tips on mental health above. 

Above all though, remember that if you have been travelling, you have done something incredible. You have seen far-flung lands, experienced the sights, smells and culture of these places and more than anything, had the guts to take your life into your own hands and get moving in the first place; this is far more than many others who dream of going abroad but fail to put it into action. In my opinion, this alone is something to be really, really proud of. 

I hope that no matter where your life takes you, you enjoy it. Life is never perfect; you will always have ups and downs on the rollercoaster that is life. If you do have any rough patches, then feel free to check out my list of mental health tips above and see if any of those will help. Feel free to listen to my podcast too, you may well hear other people on there who have had the same issues as you – hearing someone going through something similar to me in itself really helps me to normalise things and know that I’m not alone in those hard times. 

If you struggle to adjust to home life, then that’s totally normal, and be sure to seek support while you transition back into settled life. Most people have an amazing time, though, and I haven’t ever met someone who has regretted going travelling. And think, if you do ever find yourself missing travelling, adventure is just a plane ticket away…