I’m at my unmagical job, it’s Friday, the weather looks great for the weekend – and it’s almost time to go home! I’m listening to music from the Disney parks on my iPhone, I’m singing away in my head as people walk by, I’m feeling pretty good.
I decide to take a break and sign in to Facebook, my source for the important things that are happening in my world. I get excited about the posts in the Disney groups about new things happening and the merchandise that’s being released.
I keep scrolling, and then I see them – TONS of pictures, check ins, status updates…. I have a bunch of friends at Walt Disney World right now, and some are sailing on the Dream this weekend. I start going through their posts and pictures. The food looks good at Morimoto, Ohana dinner – yes please, a check-in at the Mine Train and another for Soarin? I almost feel like I’m experiencing it with them! YAY!! Disney fun!!
Then, suddenly… the discomfort and confusion – what am I feeling? I’m happy for them and excited to follow their adventures, but what is this that I’m feeling??? I contemplate for a while and then it hits me… I have DVE – Disney Vacation Envy.
In case you weren’t aware – DVE is a real condition. It’s a wave of confusing emotions where you feel happy for your friends, but sad for yourself – sad that you’re not there with them. You do what you can to fight these feelings of jealousy, but they’re there, right below the surface. While you do the customary ‘likes’ or ‘comments’ on their posts, you’re fighting the urge to just close Facebook and ignore it, but you NEED to see what they’re going to do next! The inner conflict begins – do you have your next vacation already booked? Or should you book a quick getaway to get your next fix? Can you afford it? Does it matter? It’s an addiction, and if you can relate, you may need help.
If you’re suffering from DVE it’s important to know that you’re not alone. We all feel it, but we rarely talk about it. There’s no shame in suffering from DVE, it’s the struggle that all members of the Disney community face when they’re active on social media. We all deal with it differently, but the cure is the same… book another trip to Disney.
So the next time you’re resembling the jealous step-sister and suffering from DVE, like the post and move on. Then check your count down app to see how long it is until YOU are the person with the posts and check ins that will give the rest of us Disney Vacation Envy!
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