From Whale Sharks to the Washing Pile: How to Beat the Post Holiday Blues

Ever felt the post holiday blues hit harder than expected?
That weird mix of gratitude and grumpiness when you come back from somewhere incredible and suddenly, you’re staring down a laundry pile, a packed inbox and the age-old “what’s for dinner?” dilemma.

I’ve just returned from an unexpected, magical trip up north – to Coral Bay and Exmouth – where we swam with whale sharks, snorkelled alongside manta rays and turtles, watched humpback whales cruise by and soaked up turquoise water, spectacular sunsets and oh so many stars.

We hadn’t planned it. Someone pulled out and we were offered the spot. Everything lined up, so we said yes.

Yes to a 13-hour drive (each way!) because regional flights are outrageous.
Yes to spending more than we were comfortable with – and trusting it was worth it.
Yes to adventure, and to diving into the unknown, literally and figuratively.
Yes to challenging ourselves and to time alone together as a couple.

It was… breathtaking.
Bucket-list level magic.

Then we came home.
And the post-holiday slump hit.

You know that feeling?

Back to the laundry, inbox, and what to cook for dinner.
The contrast between “that” life and this one felt sharp.

But then, walking down by the river with my gorgeous big dog, something shifted.

It was one of those still, slightly overcast winter mornings.
The light was gentle. The world quiet.

And I realised something simple, but powerful:
Real life isn’t a letdown – but it does need tending.

I don’t want to come back from a beautiful experience and immediately feel flat or resentful.
I want to come back changed. Softened. Expanded. Energised.

So here’s what I’ve been sitting with:

👉 What if the “blues” after something amazing isn’t a signal that real life is wrong, but an invitation to meet it differently?
👉 What if we intentionally created more challenge, joy, connection and adventure in our everyday – so we’re not relying on big events to remind us we’re alive?

Because real life can be beautiful.
But sometimes it needs a stir, a shake, a remix.

Here’s how I’ve been gently re-grounding and beating the post holiday blues since getting home:

• Leaning back into a daily gratitude practice (because honestly, real life is pretty incredible when I pause to notice it)
• Unpacking what my next small but energising challenge might be – whether it’s a new work idea, a creative spark, or just trying something different.
• Reaching out to friends for walks, chats, connection – after a very head-down season in creative work mode this felt really important.
• Enjoying a fresh blow-dry (because after a week in salt water, that felt like a luxury reset!)

It’s not about making life perfect, because the chores and the mundane will always be there.
It’s about being more present. More alive. More you.

So yes, the post holiday blues are real — but they don’t have to mean something’s wrong. They can be an invitation to reflect, reconnect and reimagine what everyday life could look like with just a little more lightness, aliveness and delight stirred in.

That’s exactly what I want to help you with!

Ready to Bring the Glow Home?

If you’ve ever come back from something amazing and thought… now what?
If you’ve ever wanted to re-engage with real life in a way that feels nourishing, not numbing – then you’ll love Bring the Glow Home.

It’s my 7-part audio coaching series designed to help you:

• Keep “holiday-you” alive long after the suitcase is unpacked
• Spot the sneaky habits that pull you back into autopilot
• Create more ease, joy and presence in your everyday life
• Anchor the lessons from your getaway with a printable Glow Map

Because real life doesn’t have to feel flat or draining. You can carry the glow into your mornings, your workdays, your family time – and actually feel more you again.

👉 Click here to Bring the Glow Home and make your everyday life feel less like a blur, more like a conscious choice.