In this episode, I'll be talking about what happens just after we end our vacations.
Later, a cool mini-story to practice your English speaking.
Let me start by telling you that I'm super excited to be back again and connecting with you.
How are you doing?
Are you feeling happy or are you feeling blue?
We're in September, so I can officially say that the summer holidays are over.
During summer, I've been resting, sunbathing, and enjoying my free time.
I recharge my batteries.
I like to be near the beach, enjoy the sun, the sea breeze, and eat delicious food.
I must say that I've managed to disconnect from my routine completely.
How about you?
How did you disconnect from your everyday worries?
Talking about disconnecting and taking a break.
In September, a fascinating phenomenon occurs.
I'm referring myself to the post-holiday blues, also known as the post-travel depression.
By the way, did you know that the color blue is actually the most popular color in the world?
The color blue is also used to express feelings of sadness, nostalgia, or depression.
Here are two expressions where we use the color blue to describe sadness.
Feeling blue or getting the blues.
Examples.
It seems that you are feeling blue.
Is there something wrong?
Anne gets the blues every Christmas holiday.
She lives away from home, so she misses her family.
You might like to know that the blues is a music style characterized by the sometimes sad or down-focus and melancholy melodies.
The phrase Blue Monday means feeling sad.
These are often the feelings experienced by many when the weekend is over.
Let's get back to the post-holiday blues, which is a mood experienced by many people after returning from a long trip or holiday.
Although we all love an extended holiday, we'll need to face the downside.
We will suffer from the post-holiday blues.
The effects people usually experience are tiredness, loss of appetite, nostalgia and even depression.
It can become tough to get back again to reality.
Additionally, if you've traveled to a country with a significant time shift, the effects are even more noticeable, since in this case, you'll need to overcome the jet lag.
So if you've had a short vacation this year, don't worry, just think that you'll get back to the routine again without going through the post-holidays blues drama.
Okay, so what can you do?
How can you overcome the post-holidays blues?
Here are some tips.
Arrive home at least one day before the first day of work.
I know it can be tempting to extend the trip as much as possible.
It's essential to get some rest in your own bed for at least one night.
You'll need to familiarize yourself with your surroundings again.
The second thing is to unpack.
As soon as you arrive, unpack.
Yes, I know, tomorrow seems like a better day for that.
But you're just fooling yourself.
Seeing an unpacked suitcase is a reminder of your wonderful holiday.
And don't forget to do your laundry too.
Also, plan your next trip.
Yeah, I know it sounds crazy.
You just got back from one.
But normally, planning a trip can make you happy.
In fact, I do this every time I come back from a trip.
It really makes it easier for me to move on and start working again.
Another thing you could do is recreate your favorite holiday dish.
Why not?
It's a way of savoring a positive aspect of your holidays again.
Maybe it will help you feel less nostalgic.
Also, stay at home and relax.
As much as you want to share your pictures with your friends, I suggest that you take some time for yourself, at least for some days.
But you know what?
There's nothing better than to recover yourself by practicing your speaking with a new mini-story.
Here I'll use the question and answer technique.
This is the perfect lesson to automate your spoken English.
Here's how it works.
I'll give you some information, a phrase or two.
I will ask simple questions.
After each question, there will be some seconds of silence.
It's your turn to answer the question.
Just try to give an easy and a short answer.
After you answer, I will give you a correct answer.
This process will continue.
And just like that, I will be telling a story using questions and answers.
Okay, let's start.
Last year, Jimmy traveled to Italy with his girlfriend.
Did Jimmy travel to Spain?
No, Jimmy didn't go to Spain.
He traveled to Italy.
Did he travel to Italy alone?
No, he didn't.
He didn't travel alone to Italy.
He traveled with his girlfriend, not alone.
What's his girlfriend's name?
Nicole?
No, not Nicole.
His girlfriend's name is Kim, not Nicole.
Who traveled to Italy?
Jimmy and Kim.
They traveled to Italy.
When did they travel?
Last month?
Last year?
Last year.
They traveled to Italy last year.
In Italy, both of them ate two pounds of pasta every day.
Did Jimmy eat two pounds of pasta every day?
Yes, Jimmy ate two pounds of pasta every day.
Did Kim also eat two pounds of pasta every day in Italy?
Yes, Kim also ate two pounds.
Both of them ate two pounds of pasta every day.
Did they eat every week?
No, not every week, every day.
What type of food did they eat?
Chinese food?
No, not Chinese food.
They ate pasta.
How many pounds of pasta did they eat?
Two pounds.
They ate two pounds of pasta.
They didn't do any exercise, not even walk.
Did they play tennis every day?
No, no.
They didn't play tennis every day.
Did they play soccer?
No, neither.
They didn't do any exercise.
So, they ate pasta and they didn't exercise, right?
Yes, they were on holiday and they just ate pasta all the time.
They returned to the stressful life of New York just a few hours before the first day of work.
Did they return one week before the first day of work?
No, they returned just a few hours before the first day of work.
Did they return to New York?
Yes.
They returned to New York.
Is the life of New York peaceful?
No, no.
Life in New York isn't peaceful but stressful.
Both of them went through a post-holiday blues for a long time.
It lasted for 11 months.
What did Jimmy and Kim have?
A post-holiday blues.
Did the holiday blues last 10 months?
No, not 10 months.
It lasted 11 months.
How did they feel?
Happy or blue?
Blue.
They didn't feel happy.
They felt blue.
Did they get the blues after returning to New York?
Yes, they got the blues.
They were sad after coming back from Italy.
Now they're planning on visiting Spain.
Will they eat paella every day?
We don't know, because that's a different story.
Okay, it's the end of this mini-story.
As you can see, you are answering easy questions all the time.
They are easy on purpose.
And this technique helps you develop your speaking skills.
It's like practicing with another person.
Now you can improve your speaking with my fluency course only by listening.
Go to speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses and start speaking English fluently once and for all.
Well, that's it for today.
Please help me spread the word about the podcast.
Tell your friends about the show and leave a comment on iTunes when you have a minute.
That would make me very happy.
I'll be back next week.
Take care.
Bye-bye.
