The excitement of your Wild Globe Expeditions adventure has come to an end, but the journey doesn’t stop there. Just as you unpack your bags after a trip, it’s essential to unpack your mind too. Processing the deep, transformative experience you just had will help you carry its lessons and memories forward.

The Shift Back to Normal

You’ve just had the experience of a lifetime: every day was purposeful, filled with challenges that tested your limits, and surrounded by a community of people who supported and shared in your triumphs, and the challenges too. But as you step back into “normal” life, you might find it just as unsettling as the first day of your journey. The excess of home comforts, the familiar rhythms (or monotony) of daily life, the overstimulation and noise of modern existence can feel overwhelming after the clarity and simplicity of an adventure.

Processing the Experience

Take a moment to reflect. Your expedition wasn’t just about seeing new places; it was about experiencing life in a different way. What were the key moments that stood out? How do you want to remember them? The stories you tell yourself and others about your journey shape the memories you hold dear. Be intentional about the tone of the stories you tell. Do you want to emphasize the positive triumphs, or focus on challenges and setbacks? Choose the narratives that will reinforce the lessons you want to carry forward.

Try writing a journal to assist this process:

– Evaluate your experience: What did you learn about yourself? How can you take these lessons forward?

– What were the key moments? Highs, Lows and those moments that just made you go WTF!

– What are the stories you will tell? Sorry, but nobody wants to hear the full minute by minute account of your adventure, craft a few well considered stories that sum up the very best moments.

Ways to Capture the Journey

Your memories are precious. Capture them in ways that allow you to relive your adventure whenever you need to:

– Write a diary to record your thoughts and emotions.

– Write some poetry.

– Draw or paint a picture inspired by the landscapes and experiences.

– Look back at and organise your photos into a photobook. They’re more than just images; they’re windows into the moments that shaped you. 

– Compile a slideshow or video to bring your experiences back to life.

– Write a review of your experience. It helps others, and it’s a great way to organise your thoughts.

Keep the Adventure Alive

Incorporate elements of the expedition into daily life. Try bringing the essence of your adventure into your routine. Whether it’s a nature walk, cooking a dish you tried abroad to reconnect with the flavours of your adventure, making a playlist that reminds you of the trip or learning something new related to the environment or culture you experienced, these little things can keep the spirit of adventure alive.

Stay Connected

Your expedition team shared this journey with you in a way that no one else can truly understand. Even if some members were challenging at times, remember, the bonds you forged are real and lasting. Stay connected with these people, they’re your new family. Share your memories, relive the stories, and plan your next adventure together.

– Keep a group chat going to maintain those connections.

– Plan a reunion. Sometimes it’s nice to get together and process the experience as a team.

– Share your memories, photos, and stories.

– Book another adventure together, but also stay open to meeting new people and creating fresh connections on future expeditions.

Get Back to Nature

You’ve had your fix of the great outdoors, and your body is likely craving more. It’s important to continue seeking nature after your expedition, even if you’ve left blue skies and sunshine to return to winter at home. Whether it’s a hike through the hills or simply spending time in your local park, immerse yourself in the environment that nourishes your soul. The adventurous spirit you embraced on your expedition was all about getting out there and exploring, no matter the weather.

– Go for a hike.

– Try forest bathing.

– Spend time in the outdoors, breathing fresh air and staying active.

– If you’ve participated in our Jungle Adventure, consider visiting a tropical house or botanical garden for a mini jungle fix.

Plan Small Things to Look Forward To

While another big adventure might not be on the immediate horizon, it’s essential to create small goals and moments to look forward to. This can help you avoid the post-expedition slump and keep the sense of excitement alive.

– Plan a weekend trip to explore nearby.

– Pick up a new hobby.

– Set a personal goal to work toward.

Home Sweet Home

Do the things that you love to do at home. Remind yourself of all the joys of being back in your place. Your own bed, your own bathroom, your favourite foods, your favourite TV shows, your pets, your family, your friends. Take pleasure in enjoying all those things with fresh appreciation.

– Write a list of all the things you remember craving while you were away.

– Take pleasure in consciously and mindfully indulging yourself in them.

– Write notes of gratitude for those things now that you have them again.

Embrace the Change

Returning to “normal” doesn’t mean slipping back into the same routines and mindset as before. You’ve grown, and this new version of you may not fit into the same spaces you once occupied. It’s okay to feel a little out of place, and it’s okay if you don’t know how to go back to the way things were.

You’re bigger, brighter, and more self-aware than when you left. This growth requires space and time to fully embrace. Make room for the new you to shine.

Don’t be afraid to use this new found perspective to make changes to your life. You may have discovered what you truly find important, and what things you find unnecessary and a cause of stress. It’s a good time to have a clear out and declutter. 

Closing Thought

The post-expedition blues are real, but with time and intention, you can transform them into a period of reflection, growth, and renewal. Let your adventure continue to inspire and shape your life, and share the lessons with others. The transformative nature of adventurous experiences extends far beyond the adventure itself, and when you recognise just how impactful they can be, you’ll be itching for more!

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” – Terry Pratchett

Ready for your next adventure? Join us in the Jungles of Costa Rica, or read our blog about Coping with Challenge in the Wilderness