It was a bit rough on my part and awkward but I honestly couldn't be happier they were such sweeties and Connor gives the best hugs and brad was so apperceive of the scrap book we made them (looked at it while we were standing there) I feel like the luckiest girl ever I was there was a way I could have gotten a kiss from all of them But my dream was to always get a James kiss and a James girl I'll always be (he seemed so sad today but seemed really happy that he was the asked first and like it was kind of about Him and he wasn't a side person) also now just noticing how Tristan's holding my arm what what ugh anyway I'm so so happy and having major PCD UGH LOVE TONIGHT WORTH IT ALL
Post camp depression isn’t a hoax. It’s real, and I have been hit by it hard. I just spent three and a half weeks at a summer camp I have been going to for three years and then before that a different camp with the same people for four years. After seven years, being a camper has come to and end for me and I am devastated. I know I’ll come back as staff but it won’t be the same. I have post camp depression (PCD) for all these reasons and more. Although PCD is basically incurable, here are some things that may ease the pain.
1. Take a nap. Go to sleep.
On the last night of my camp, we are allowed to stay up all night. It is a lot of fun and super cozy but by the end, you get a little crazy. I was very emotional leaving, and although I know my tears came from how sad I was to leave my favorite place on earth, it was also because I was so over tired. Sleep will make you a little more sane.
2. Look at camp photos.
This is a weird one because you are probably thinking, won’t this make you sad again? And the answer is, it’ll make you a little sad, but it will also make you happy to look back at the amazing experience you had at camp. I just looked through photos on my phone that I have from camp and although I was sad not to actually be in those moments, I’m so glad I had those moments.
3. Listen to camp songs.
This is very similar to the tip above. Listening to camp songs will make you sad, but it will also make you happy to be listening to those songs that are so close to your heart. It will bring back to your mind some of your favorite memories from camp and you’ll think about how happy you are to have had those experiences.
4. Video chat your friends.
A great thing about technology is that we can connect with camp friends even if you are hundreds of miles away from each other. The main thing that makes camp so special is the friends. The place is so important, but you’re friends are still here and alive. I video chatted with my camp friends yesterday and it was so nice. It made it okay to be home because I was still talking to my camp friends. Along with this comes making lots of group chats of camp friends because as long as you talk to your friends, that feeling of not being at camp will ease.
5. Go out and do something.
Pcd is painful, and what feels best to do is sit around and mope, but it’s really good to go out and do something so for a few hours, you can forget about how sad you actually are. It sucks not being at camp, but instead of doing nothing and thinking about how you are not there, go do something to try to cheer you up. Go get lunch, take a walk, hang out with home friends, or something because it’ll make you realize that even though camp is over, life is not over.
Every year after camp, I feel terrible because of how sad I am to not be at camp. PCD is horrible and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. There’s no real way to get over PCD but hopefully these things will help.