The Brian Lehrer Show Bringing Vacation Joy Back Home
Jul 28, 2025
Elaine Godfrey, a staff writer at The Atlantic focused on finding joy in everyday life, discusses extending the bliss of vacations into daily routines. She shares practical tips to combat post-vacation blues, such as cultivating small rituals and gratitude. The conversation explores preserving travel memories through sensory experiences and emphasizes the joy of making others happy to enhance personal well-being. Listeners also share their humorous adjustments between the leisure of vacation and the hustle of everyday life.
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Post-Vacation Letdown
- Elaine Godfrey describes returning from a relaxing vacation feeling disappointment and sadness.
- She wanted to make that vacation peace last but realized it was impossible to fully replicate.
Create Quiet Rituals
- Reduce screen time and be less reachable to mimic vacation calm in daily life.
- Practice quiet moments, such as reading, walking without earbuds, and enjoying simple pleasures like mocktails.
Daily Joyful Habits
- Try to call friends instead of texting to maintain meaningful connections.
- Keep gratitude journals or note growth in plants to build joyful daily rituals.