It’s over! The trip you planned carefully for months, picked out a variety of clothes, and made a detailed itinerary so you don’t miss anything, is over. Now, it’s time to face reality.

While you are left with a treasure trove of memories, you are also left with baggage (not emotional, but literal) that you must unpack.

There are two types of people at the end of a trip: those who feel an irresistible urge to unpack their luggage the moment they step through the door, and those who can’t even get around to opening their bags.

Most of us fall into the latter category and find every excuse to put off the inevitable task, until the suitcase becomes an unappetising part of the home decor – ‘I’ll definitely unpack tomorrow.’

If this sounds familiar to you, this is for you.

Unpacking can be heavy

Dr Trideep Choudhary, Associate Consultant, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “When you return to work or your routine after the holidays, the feeling of burden from the responsibilities of day-to-day activities may return, which may at times make you feel depressed for a few days. This, in most cases, is a normal phenomenon.” india today,

Moreover, Dr Rahul Chandok, principal consultant, mental health and behavioural sciences, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, says unpacking can be overwhelming for many, as it signals the end of leisure time and a return to routine.

“Especially after a relaxing or eventful trip, the thought of unpacking can create feelings of fatigue, reluctance, or stress. The association between unpacking and upcoming tasks or responsibilities can create mental resistance,” says Dr Chandhok.

According to him, unpacking luggage also requires physical effort and decision-making, which some people may not be ready for right after a trip.

For people who enjoy the freedom of vacation, unpacking has a way of returning to reality, which can be unsettling. If people have a tendency to procrastinate or lack organization, they may also avoid unpacking.

It says a lot about your behavior

Your overall behavior pattern tells a lot about your personality and how you will act in certain situations.

Dr Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, says, “This behaviour of delaying unpacking indicates that you are quite hesitant about sudden changes in your lifestyle. It is also a sign that you struggle to manage your time effectively, which often leads to an unopened travel bag lying in your bedroom for months.”

In addition, Dr. Chandhok says that people who struggle with unpacking after the holidays tend to avoid tasks that they find tedious, burdensome or that signal the end of enjoyable experiences.

This behavior reflects a tendency to procrastinate, where a person puts off tasks that he or she considers difficult or unpleasant.

Linked to mental health

According to Dr Snehal Thamke, consultant psychiatrist at Mumbai-based Brain & Bone Clinic, difficulty unpacking after a holiday doesn’t always mean that you are suffering from mental health issues.

“But yes, people who have difficulty completing the tasks at hand and those who often procrastinate or put off certain tasks may have underlying anxiety issues. Putting off these tasks gives them some temporary relief from the anxiety they feel later,” she adds.

For people with anxiety, the idea of ​​returning to routine and facing responsibilities can feel overwhelming. In this context, unpacking can trigger anxious thoughts about the tasks ahead, which can lead to avoidance behaviors.

Meanwhile, Dr Anand believes that your room or the way you keep your environment is a complete mirror of what is going on in your mind.

“A messy room often indicates countless thoughts running through the mind. This is why some of the common symptoms of mental health problems like depression, anxiety and ADHD are difficulty multitasking, lack of energy and a cluttered space,” says the doctor.

Difficulty unpacking can also be linked to control issues. People struggling with this problem may feel resistant to the inevitable change of going back to everyday life, where they no longer have the same control over their time and experiences as they did during the holidays.

Feelings of denial

Dr Chandhok explains that attempts to delay unpacking can be a mixture of procrastination and denial.

Denial plays an active role because unpacking symbolizes the end of the vacation and a return to the responsibilities of daily life. By avoiding unpacking, you may subconsciously try to extend the vacation mentality or avoid returning to reality.

A combination of procrastination and denial allows you to put off inevitable change for a while, but it can also cause stress later when the task of unpacking looms larger and more urgent.

Moving forward to perform the task

Experts suggest that breaking the task down into smaller, manageable steps can help you mentally prepare for the unpacking process.

One strategy is to set a specific time for unpacking, and treat it like any other necessary post-holiday task, such as checking email or doing laundry.

Create a ritual for yourself after the holiday. This could include spending an hour unpacking while having tea or chatting with family members. Alternatively, you can spend 15-30 minutes every day for 4-5 days unpacking. This way, you won’t feel pressured and the work will get done faster.

Another strategy is to unpack gradually, tackling one section at a time, for example, starting with toiletries, then clothing, and finally souvenirs or other items. This will make the task seem less daunting. Start with the easiest items, and then move on to more difficult items.

You also need to change your mindset. Think of unpacking as a way to fully settle into your space and think positively about your vacation.

Additionally, you may find the task easier if you create a calming environment while you unpack, such as listening to music or a podcast. You can also use the old-fashioned reward system; enjoying your favorite snack or a relaxing activity afterward can help motivate you to get the task done.

Removing clutter is good for you

Cleaning can be good for your mental health because it creates a sense of order and control. A clutter-free space can also reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, making it easier to get back into your routine.

Dr Chowdhary says, “An organised space is always an easy way to calm your mind. So, if you make it a habit to keep things organised and de-clutter your space, it is always helpful for your mental health.”

For some people, the act of clearing out clutter provides a sense of accomplishment, which can boost mood and increase motivation.

Dr Thamke adds, “Clutter can weigh you down and hold you back. It has the potential to sap all your positive energy. It is associated with negative emotions such as confusion, stress and irritability, whereas an organised home leads to more positive emotions such as a sense of peace and wellbeing.”

An irresistible urge to unpack

Now, if you are wondering why some people start unpacking their luggage as soon as they reach home, Dr Anand explains that it is all about cleanliness. Such people are organized and want to ensure that the luggage remains organized even after the trip.

For them, unpacking immediately after a trip reestablishes a sense of normalcy and comfort, helping them transition back to everyday life more easily. It also leads to a sense of productivity and clarity.

For those who can’t stand the sight of unpacking items upon returning home, clearing out belongings can be a soothing and relaxing activity that can help them get over the post-holiday blues.