Post-Travel Monday Syndrome: Reflections from Javier Labourt
In an interview with La Vanguardia, travel psychologist Javier Labourt warns about what he calls the “Monday syndrome”: the emotional clash many people experience when returning from a trip and facing daily routine again. For Labourt, this phenomenon is not just fleeting melancholy, but a powerful sign that something in one’s lifestyle requires attention and readjustment.
Travel as an emotional contrast
Labourt explains that by stepping away from daily routine, reducing stress, and engaging with new cultures, travel becomes an ideal space for introspection and reflection. In those moments, many rediscover what truly brings them fulfillment and become aware of the emotional gaps in their everyday lives.
“When we are exposed to different realities, we can recognize the simplicity of happiness in other places, which awakens a sense of gratitude within us,” he says.
He recalls a personal experience in India, where after spending weeks with only basic resources — no hot water, limited comfort — he returned with a renewed appreciation for everyday life. According to Labourt, this kind of contrast helps recalibrate what truly matters.
Facing fears as a growth exercise
Travel, Labourt adds, can also provide symbolic settings for facing fears and inner limits. “Exposing ourselves to situations that scare us (…) can be a way to confront those fears,” he explains, emphasizing that the process must be gradual. It is not about eliminating fear instantly, but about holding it, observing it, and allowing it to soften over time.
Speaking an unfamiliar language, trying “strange” food, or joining a spontaneous plan are small challenges that strengthen self-esteem and emotional courage. These lessons, though seemingly minor, are transferable to everyday life.
The paradox of returning: Monday syndrome
“Monday syndrome” arises when the intensity of a trip is compared to the dullness of routine. Many feel that what they lived while traveling was richer, more authentic, or on another level entirely. Labourt interprets this as a symptom of the gap between what people experience while traveling and what they allow themselves in everyday life.
To counteract this effect without falling into toxic nostalgia, he suggests not idealizing the trip, but extracting lessons and adjusting daily life. “If we travel with courage, we can return with the same attitude of transformation,” he says.
Traveling solo vs. traveling with others
Another interesting point Labourt highlights is the difference between solo travel and traveling with others. Traveling alone fosters deeper personal growth, as the individual depends entirely on their own decisions. On the other hand, group travel tests relational skills: negotiation, listening, and shared leadership.
Both experiences push individuals out of their usual emotional patterns, making them valuable opportunities for change.
Practical ways to bring travel lessons into daily life
According to Javier Labourt, the key is to transform what was experienced into concrete actions. He offers a few practical recommendations:
- Integrate gratitude into daily life: recall moments from the trip and appreciate what you already have.
- Create “symbolic journeys” in everyday routine: break monotony with new walks, activities, or encounters.
- Face fears in small doses: practice having uncomfortable conversations or take on small challenges.
- Practice conscious reflection: after a trip, take time to write, share, and process what was lived, instead of letting the experience fade away.
Closing thoughts
Labourt’s reflections on post-travel Monday syndrome encourage turning nostalgia into a driver for personal transformation. Trips should not remain isolated memories but serve as opportunities for ongoing learning that can enrich daily life.
The original La Vanguardia interview can be read here.
For more press features, interviews, and talks by Javier Labourt, visit the press section.