I feel disconnected after returning from Europe...?

[monkey00]

I just returned from a 2 week trip from Europe, namely from amsterdam and belgium. I appear to be in some kind of trance, feeling disconnected from the world around me.

 

I think I'm in some kind of state of shock or disbelief. Returning home is a symbol of my past and old life. I think deep down I desired a major change in my life, and going to europe just fed that desire even more. For some reason Im not in the mood to go back to working again or call up my friends to talk or hangout.

 

On my trip to europe, I've fathomed the thought/possibility of moving to europe. I can honestly say I could put my family and friends behind me, does it make me inhuman to be emotionless and walk away from people i care about and care about me? Because my whole 2 weeks there, I didnt miss home and barely missed anyone back in the states.

 

So far I seem to be making a conscious decision to put my life on halt, i dont know why. But all i know is now I'm still questioning myself about what i want out of life. I'm still trying to draw the line between the fact that my time in europe was just a trip, and me not really being a resident there...it really is blurring my thoughts. The instant i got out of the airport and into the city with people, I felt a little disgusted to be back for some reason.

 

Almost 2 years ago I was in London for about 10 days on a trip and returned home. No problems and I was able to resume my normal way of life. But I dont know whats going on now, is feeling disconnected supposed to be normal? or is there more to this than I think?

[burning 4 revenge]

You're at an existential crossroads. If you can afford it, I suggest you move there immediately, drink a lot of german bier and begin working as an expatriate writer, artist, poet

[Poboy]

jetlag ???

[JulieJ]

I've often felt that way when I've returned from trips abroad. The new cultures and experiences can make you feel very alive and like you need a change from your life back at home. I've usually snapped out of after a few weeks though. It's important to remember that you were on vacation while you were there and didn't have to deal with any of the daily grind...if you were to move over there the vacation element would be gone and you would still have to deal with daily life.

[riobikini]

I identify with the feeling you're experiencing everytime I travel far away from where I presently call "home".

 

But -let's be frank- where I live, if you drive just to the next town you might get that same feeling.

 

(Smile)

 

Especially, with vacations that take you across continents, and immerse you in entirely different cultures, I describe it -a little- like looking at the world through the eyes of the "someone" you think you really are, (or think you want to be) and being set completely free for a span of time *without* being immediately associated with all the petty details of your more "utilitarian" life (the one that produces the income and gets down to business everyday).

 

I agree with JulieJ -it's the definitive and unique feeling of being on *vacation* where all the "newness" creates a good dose of a sort of magic and makes you realize just how big the planet really is in comparison to the small part of it you inhabit, and how anonymous you really are in regards to all the people and cultures existing here.

 

It's an enchanting kind of freedom.

 

It's supposed to make you "disconnect" from your familiar cyclical patterns and give you a break from your most serious responsibilities -especially those concerning work and related stress.

 

You decompress.

 

It feels good.

 

You enjoy your anonymity.

 

You are less inhibited.

 

And you may not want to return home.

 

It's called "vacation" -and normally, (sometimes, most regretfully) it's only temporary.

 

(Smile)

 

-Rio

[burning 4 revenge]

Maybe you feel disconnected because you just realized you actually live in a third world country

[monkey00]

Maybe you feel disconnected because you just realized you actually live in a third world country

 

that's possible too...the euro and pound defeats the mighty dollar with little effort. But being there really makes me appreciate the cost of things here and what i can get for a dollar or 5 dollars for that matter.

 

But I think you guys are right..it's been a few days so far and im somewhat adjusting back...as much as i have to face reality. But I think the cause of most of it was my jetlag which made me emotionally distant, for which i have been trying to avoid people the first few days...which the same has happened to my friend as well.

 

riobikini you make some excellent points, and there were certain times there where i felt like a king after fitting in with the locals...yup reality hurts