I’m back in Paris. The motorcycle trip has ended, and BF has returned to Guatemala. As many travelers might know, the return to normal life can be quite jarring. Shifting from an exciting journey to the routine of daily life can be tough, and some people even experience months of depression. It’s understandable, really. When you’re traveling, you feel like you’re living an extraordinary life, with people admiring you and finding you incredibly interesting. Then, suddenly, you return to your regular life where you’re just another person.

To manage this, I’m staying busy by helping out my family and friends. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be moving furniture, babysitting, painting a house, cleaning, and decluttering—basically doing all those little tasks that people usually delay because they don’t have the time.

Not only does this help me reconnect with my loved ones, but it’s also a tangible way to show I care, even though I’m away for long periods. Instead of bringing back lots of gifts—which I’m not a big fan of because they often feel impersonal and unnecessary—I prefer to spend my time with them, helping out with tasks they’ve been putting off.

I’m not planning to look for a “real” job just yet. My plans for the next few months are pretty unclear, especially since my apartment sale fell through, which is really frustrating. I had hoped to stay for just a month, collect the check, and then leave Paris to find a place of my own. Now, I have to stay with my mom while I try to sell the apartment again. Luckily, I can also stay at my grandparents’ flat if I need a change of scene, so it’s not all bad. Still, I hate when plans get derailed!

I’ve posted ads and I know the real estate market can be slow around this back-to-school period, so I just need to be patient—which isn’t exactly my strong suit.

On the bright side, I’ll have plenty of time to work on personal projects, like improving my blog. It’s been a while since I last worked on it, and it still looks quite amateurish. Although it takes me much longer than a professional, I enjoy doing things myself. So, I’ll spend September working on my blog, doing a bit of networking, and maybe even picking up some freelance writing or translation jobs. Bring it on, September!