by Debra Corbeil

Created on: April 15, 2009

Returning home from a travel is by far the hardest part of an epic journey. Known as reverse culture shock, travelers that have been away for an extended period of time have a difficult transition reintegrating back into society.

It is difficult to relate to friends and family who have stayed in the "rat race" while you were away. You have just been profoundly changed from your journey, while everyone else has continued with their routine. Experiencing different cultures, pushing yourself to the limit on a great trek or simply slowing down to enjoy the simple things in life, makes a person realise that there is a lot more to being alive than owning the latest gadget or killing yourself in a stressful job.

Unfortunately, we all need to work to live and it is hard to find a balance upon returning. Most people would prefer to simply get back on the plane and jet off to the next destination. However independent wealth is reserved for a very elite group of people in this world. The good news is that they probably don't even enjoy themselves to the fullest because they are too busy making money and trying to hold on to it. The bad news is, most likely you are one of the people who have to go back to their job and try to adjust to being a part of the working world again.

It is almost impossible to care about what everyone else cares about after you have been removed from societies vices. Reality television, fashion, the next hot club; they are things that pass the time here. You however have just really lived. You have tried a new exotic food, you have witnessed a sacred religious festival and you have observed a rare species in their native environment. How do you possibly go back to the life you lived before you left?

The answer is, you don't. It will take time to feel comfortable in your own skin again, but soon you will begin to enjoy being home. Once you have had a chance to absorb your experience, you can look at life here differently as well. The little things will start to mean something to you. You will be more relaxed at work than everyone else and you will get a kick out of planning your next destination.

Lives can be profoundly changed from travel. You may even decide to quit your job that has never made you happy and try something new. You may take up a new hobby and even find new friends that think the same way that you do. The great thing about travel, is that it will wake you from the fog that you have been living in for so long. It can be difficult to have your eyes opened, and that is what makes coming so hard.

It is a challenge. Weeks maybe months will pass and you will feel in a slight depression. It is inevitable. But do some soul searching during that time and you will come out on top with a life rich in new goals and dreams. If you embrace the difficult times and appreciate the experiences that you had while you were away, you will soon be open to all of the possibilities that this world has to offer.

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