Ever wonder why planning a trip feels so good… but the trip itself feels like a bit of a letdown?

Long weekends are usually the time many of us get swept up in the excitement of travel. But before we set off on our next adventure, let’s take a quick look inward.

We’ve all been there—staying up way too late browsing hotels or trying on a dozen outfits because the “pre-trip high” is just too good to resist! But when the day finally comes, we might find ourselves thinking: “It’s nice, but… why doesn’t it feel as magical as I thought it would?”

That’s because happiness often works best when we’re still waiting for it. Today, let’s talk about the “Psychology of Anticipation”!

Our brains have a cool little mechanism called Anticipatory Pleasure. While we’re waiting, our imagination creates a “perfect” version of the trip—picturing that breezy sunset drive or a flawless meal. But in reality, we hit “real-life friction” we didn’t account for: traffic, heat, crowds, or even those annoying travel costs. This physical and mental fatigue can make our mood drop quite a bit.

So, how can we fully enjoy our trip without the “post-planning” slump? It’s easy: Stop focusing only on the destination, and start savouring the feeling of waiting.

Step 1: Catch the Spark

  • Be mindful of your excitement. That rush you feel while prep-ping is actually Dopamine in action. Just noticing that you’re feeling happy in the moment is the perfect place to start.

Step 2: Savour the Vibe

  • Don’t rush through your week just to get to the holiday. Sit with that excitement. Let your imagination run wild for a bit—this is the time when your happiness is truly limitless, with no “real-world” obstacles to get in the way.

Step 3: Reflect on the Boost

  • Think about how this excitement is helping you right now. Maybe that upcoming trip is exactly what’s giving you the energy to crush your to-do list? Seeing the value in the wait can turn a boring workday into something much more positive.

 

“Happiness isn’t just about the destination; it starts the very moment you begin to look forward to it.“

 

Reference

Van Boven, L., & Ashworth, L. (2007). Looking forward, looking back: Anticipation is more evocative than retrospection. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 136(2), 289–300. https://doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.136.2.289