Getting home from a book tour can be a great relief, no matter how good and profitable a time you had on the trip. There's much to be said for being back with your loved ones again and for settling into familiar, comfortable routines. Nonetheless, there are a few pitfalls to be aware of on getting back home.
First, give yourself a little time for readjustment, especially if you've been on the trail for a couple of weeks or more. Your loved ones have adapted to doing without you; you've been equally adapted to doing without them. You need to get used to each other again. This is especially true if you're returning to children, who can make sudden changes right under your nose, much less when you're out of sight for a while. Depending on the personality of your child or children, you may find them needier or more standoffish on your return than you remember. Give them (and yourself) a little time to adapt to being a family again. Don't overlook the fact that pets, too, may need a chance to readjust.
Second, be prepared for a significant physical and emotional letdown to hit you within a few days of your return. You've been running hard and living on adrenaline and cortisol, probably more so than you know. If your body is demanding rest and lowered stimulation levels, do your best to meet those needs. You may have no choice about getting right back to work, but try to defer complex or demanding projects for at least a few days while you sort out the inevitable accumulation of things that didn't get done and need your attention. Be prepared for needing extra sleep and for readjusting your diet and exercise schedule. Taking care of your physical self will help keep your emotions from taking you on an unwelcome roller-coaster ride---and if the trip didn't go so well, can be a needed way to soothe and reassure yourself that you're still a worthwhile person.
Third, don't overlook the possibility that you may get sick soon after coming home. When you combine extra stress for days or weeks on end with exposure to viruses that you haven't met at home, the odds are pretty good for ending up with a minor illness. That's another reason for not planning too much into the first few days after you get home---you may need recovery time from more than exhaustion. (I speak from grim experience here as I'm still coping with the tag end of a head cold I brought home with me.)
Fourth, don't give yourself a chance to lose receipts and records you'll need for filing your taxes. Put them into a file or envelope right away and put them where you keep other important records.
Fifth and finally, don't forget gratitude. If people made arrangements for you, provided hospitality, or did you favors along the way, be sure and thank them again after you return home, even if you did so in person. A note or thank-you card may be a bit old-fashioned but is still a particularly nice touch, though an appreciative text or email is far better than nothing.
Until the road calls again, safe travels and safe harbors to you all. Next week should see a return to more "normal" topics.
First, give yourself a little time for readjustment, especially if you've been on the trail for a couple of weeks or more. Your loved ones have adapted to doing without you; you've been equally adapted to doing without them. You need to get used to each other again. This is especially true if you're returning to children, who can make sudden changes right under your nose, much less when you're out of sight for a while. Depending on the personality of your child or children, you may find them needier or more standoffish on your return than you remember. Give them (and yourself) a little time to adapt to being a family again. Don't overlook the fact that pets, too, may need a chance to readjust.
Second, be prepared for a significant physical and emotional letdown to hit you within a few days of your return. You've been running hard and living on adrenaline and cortisol, probably more so than you know. If your body is demanding rest and lowered stimulation levels, do your best to meet those needs. You may have no choice about getting right back to work, but try to defer complex or demanding projects for at least a few days while you sort out the inevitable accumulation of things that didn't get done and need your attention. Be prepared for needing extra sleep and for readjusting your diet and exercise schedule. Taking care of your physical self will help keep your emotions from taking you on an unwelcome roller-coaster ride---and if the trip didn't go so well, can be a needed way to soothe and reassure yourself that you're still a worthwhile person.
Third, don't overlook the possibility that you may get sick soon after coming home. When you combine extra stress for days or weeks on end with exposure to viruses that you haven't met at home, the odds are pretty good for ending up with a minor illness. That's another reason for not planning too much into the first few days after you get home---you may need recovery time from more than exhaustion. (I speak from grim experience here as I'm still coping with the tag end of a head cold I brought home with me.)
Fourth, don't give yourself a chance to lose receipts and records you'll need for filing your taxes. Put them into a file or envelope right away and put them where you keep other important records.
Fifth and finally, don't forget gratitude. If people made arrangements for you, provided hospitality, or did you favors along the way, be sure and thank them again after you return home, even if you did so in person. A note or thank-you card may be a bit old-fashioned but is still a particularly nice touch, though an appreciative text or email is far better than nothing.
Until the road calls again, safe travels and safe harbors to you all. Next week should see a return to more "normal" topics.