It has been suggested to me that the frequency of my posts about Japan is somehow indicative of a recently identified syndrome called 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗣𝗝𝗗). To be honest, I’ve had a history of similar responses over the years to many travel experiences. After my first long—four month—trip to Europe many decades ago, I was spotted quietly sobbing in a dark corner of Luxembourg International Airport. And two years later after backpacking in Europe for three months I had a minor meltdown in Brussels Airport when my flight home was called. And, to be completely candid, the same thing has occurred in international airports around the globe, so why should Japan be any different.

Based on anecdotal reports from dozens of travels PJD is real, and so many people feel it after coming home from a trip that feels magical, safe, clean, punctual, aesthetic, peaceful… and suddenly—boom—back to reality. I guess IYKYK.

So what is there to do about it ?  𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙡 (𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮) your brain is reacting to: • change in routine • drop in dopamine • missing the novelty and freedom • coming back to responsibilities. Just acknowledging this already reduces the emotional “sting.”