How to deal with Post Con Depression
Attending a convention, expo, or fan meetup is often a memorable experience that you've been looking forward to. You get to meet fellow fans, participate in fun actives, and immerse and surround yourself in the world you love. However, after the convention ends, you sometimes get the feeling of sadness or the sense of emptiness. This is known as post con depression, and it can be challenging to deal with, even more so if you normally deal with anxiety or depression. In this blog post I'll explore some ways to cope with post con depression and ease your transition back to your regular routine.
Take care of yourself
During a convention, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and neglect your basic needs. You may be staying up late, skipping meals, and not getting enough rest. Or you can get sick with the dreaded Con Crud. Conventions allow you to enjoy yourself, especially multi day conventions that have parties and dances every night. However, after the convention ends, it's essential to take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. If you're travelling to a convention make sure you give yourself enough time to rest from potential jetlag. These things may seem simple, but they can go a long way in helping you feel better.
Stay connected
One of the best things about conventions is the connections you make with others. You make line buddies, you sit next to people in panels, you take pictures with cosplayers. You may have made new friends and you can find a new online community that you can connect with during or after the convention. Make sure to keep in touch with those you met, join the discord channels, join the social media groups, follow people with people you shared social media with. If you're a person who took pictures tag the people when you make a social media post so people can see. You can even plan a meet-up or attend another event together. Staying connected can help you feel less isolated and more supported which diminishes the post con depression feeling.
Plan for the next convention
Having a new event to look forward to can help alleviate post con depression. There are hundreds of events, big and small happening every year. You can use my guide on how to find a convention: here. Consider buying passes for your next convention or event, and start planning for it. You can even make it a goal to attend more events or set a budget to save up for them. Having a plan in place can help you feel more optimistic and excited about the future. You can even make plans and see if any of your social media mutual are going to attend and you can meet up
Reflect on your experience
Take things slow
You don't have to go to all days of a convention, you don't have to arrive early and leave late everyday. During your convention time make sure you eat, snack, and take care of yourself properly. After an intense experience like a convention, it's natural to feel a sense of letdown. Don't rush back into your daily routine and overwhelm yourself. Take things slow and ease back into your regular routine gradually. You may want to take a few days off work or school to decompress and recharge. It's okay to give yourself permission to rest and recover.
In conclusion, post con depression is a common experience and one that many people share. However, by taking care of yourself, staying connected, planning for the future, reflecting on your experience, and taking things slow, you can ease your transition back to your regular routine. Remember that it's okay to feel sad or down, and don't hesitate to reach out to friends or professionals for support if you need it. By practicing self-care and using these strategies, you can bounce back from post con depression and look forward to your next convention with excitement and anticipation.
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