Ibiza, the ideal place to go to on holidays; yet research has shown many return depressed and disillusioned.
Photos from Philip Larson’s and Adam Russell’s flickr
People save money for years in order to enjoy the life on Ibiza for a few weeks. A vacation to live up to. But when you arrive there, everything is different than expected. You’re not the only one in the expensive hotel. Your expensive hotel is one of the cheapest in comparison to the others, and your clothes, on which a lot of money was spent, are nothing different from other people’s clothes. You’re normal.
You always were normal. But when you’re, for 3 weeks, trying not be, you still are. What did you save all that money for? To live the life, partying all week, to find out it doesn’t help. Ibiza should have been the distraction, but it became the eye-opener. But realizing all this, you think, well, if it’s all for nothing, why not release the brakes and go wild? Which is exactly what people do. Drugs and alcohol, and not a little.
The worst part might still be coming back. Back to all, found out, you really are but don’t want to be. Some even end up with addictions, because of all the party drugs and alcohol from Ibiza.
The advise experts give to people who have a vacation to Ibiza planned but unable to cancel it? Make an appointment with a psychologist before you go; he will be busy when you return.
Have you been depressed from a holiday?
Moment Matters 
I’m not surprised by that I guess, it does seem to be a very hyped up place that honestly doesn’t tempt me. I would much prefer to go to a less populated beautiful beach somewhere but maybe I’m just a little too old for that party atmosphere these days 😛
Think I’ll just go camping… Wonder what the bears are wearing these days? 🙂
haha meee to!
Ibiza is what we call “quemado” it’s burned out completely, and just like your post says, people just go to get wasted and do as many drugs as they can. it’s a pretty lame place, full of superficial people. There are cooler places for sure to vacation to =) Good post, usually people just rave about Ibiza, it’s so lame to see the same thing all the time! And i don’t know if I thanked you previously for your like on my post about “never forgetting to do what you love”, so thanks. and if i already did, then thanks again haha
I went there with my mates about 13 years ago (damn, that long!) and it was shit even then. We stopped with girls who were working at Manumission and so got a free apartment (no bed tho) and free entry into Privilege and the Motel.
It didn’t help that we were staying above the main street in San An and pretty much everything you’ve ever heard about the place is a load of shit. We went to a jungle night (the only one on the whole island) and there were about 10 people and us. Had a great time thanks to the pills but they had to close early as no-one was buying any drinks.
And prices, well, even back in 2002 a 5 drink round was £25 so I hate to think how much it is now.
I had a great time (I always did back then) but I was very glad to come back. At 22 I was still hanging onto my yoot and was still quite into my class A’s so any old shit night could be fun.
It’s probably worth going once just to awaken your senses from the adverts that try and make you feel like you’re missing out, which you really really are not. It’s just Coventry-on-sea like any other big resort in the med
Good story! It’s nice to get a reaction from someone who actually experienced the life there.
Never been to Ibiza – but I have friends that has a house down there and they say – Ibiza is one of those places that will become what you make it to. I know it’s the party place of Europe, but I rather go to Barcelona, Berlin or Biarritz – my favorite 3xB’s. Don’t I will miss much. Too old for Ibiza anyhow. Great post … love the part with the psychologist – but I think we need after any holiday.
Not into crowds anyway. Who has three weeks at one stretch? Not most Americans – good gosh I must be old as a small group of good friends and laughter is more than enough. Ibiza will not be gaining my tourist dollar. I agree with viveka, “love the part with the psychologist – but I think we need after any holiday.”
Man, that is one depressing graphic at the top of the page.
Personality, as defined by Myers-Briggs. Tells us that people with an extrovert personality. Need others around them, even if sitting quietly, etc. Whereas an introvert type personality, is perfectly happy in their own company.
Which generally explains places like Las Vegas, Atlantic City and like Ibiza. I’m sure there are plenty of introverts in all places? Still, the demographic says; between 50-60% are extrovert personality as defined by MBPI.
The demographics of MBPI is eye-opening. With 16 personality types as defined by them. The demographics show that 4 personality types represent around 65-68% of population. That does not leave much room for the rest of us?
Nope, good or bad? It’s a world built for the demographic of those 4 types. It’s their world and if we find it awkward? That, whatever the issue is? If it falls within their levels of acceptance? The rest of the world has to buy it.
The party? Well, introverts party just like everybody else. Those making a good living out of the stupid? Well, they can be any personality at all?
Interesting point of view and information. I’m going to look at those MBPI demographics you introduced here. Thanks for adding something to the content of this post!
Yeah, thanks for adding this information. I don’t believe in clear cut identification of introverts and extroverts. MBPI will measure your prevailing personality type. If results show you’re an introvert, it doesn’t mean you are entirely an introvert – but majority of your personality is. Introverts can party, as the extroverts can have his own alone time.
Moment Matters,
Umm, an introvert isolated for a few days in a cabin somewhere. Will likely handle that separation quite easily. An extrovert on the other hand, will be likely climbing the walls after a few days. Lacking the human company required to charge their batteries.
A recluse can be an extrovert, too. They just do it, in the company of others. Introverts can party, as alluded too. If you were in a bar and someone got up on a table and started dancing? Are they introverted or extroverted? The answer is, introverted. An extrovert would be encouraging others, to join them on the table.
I suppose my comment was about, the graphic of a ba-zillion people around a tiny pool. …. Cheers!
Be yourself where ever you go, you can always create your own party without all this madness… at least thats what this post says to me. You’re still you when you go and you’re still “you” when you come back.
I think I would add Ibiza to my vacation plans. I’m even more intrigued now after reading your thoughts, and maybe I’m somewhat confident of my mental health. However, good thing a psychologist is pointed out!
Never been, but due to investing time when I didn’t have money (still don’t) I have travelled every year and always broken new ground and had adventures. I would happily be a traveller for the rest of my life, but never a tourist. I think the difference is looking for something while abroad as opposed to waiting for something abroad. Ibiza needs a break, Paris is for February/March not july/August, Spain is for leaving the coast and making use of the rental, Italy is for trains and places like Trieste, etc.
I have done a lot of travelling nearly all (95%) to do with business. So as you can imagine travel is not on the top of my list. However, I did go to Ibiza and took my family (wife and three boys) in about 1986. We stayed up in the green part – can’t remember the name – and had a wonderful time there. We returned the following year and took two friends as well and my parents, and once again had a great time. But that was way back then. I remember they were still talking of the days when the island was a Hippy hang out and everyone was smoking dope and selling their home made crafts in the market!
As we speak one of my sons is completing another gig at his residency there, at ‘Space’. He still rates the place highly, but I guess he would, he is being paid very handsomely to play the sounds he likes, at a club he likes, with the people he likes.
However, from what he tells me about the island now, I think I would rather continue to spend as much time as I can in my caravan, with my wife of 40 odd years, with all the latest mod cons, in the middle of the British countryside taking my wildlife pics. And, I think I will leave all the drinking, snorting and pill-popping and vomiting to those much younger than I. And good luck to them I hope they enjoy every minute because, one day they will turn around and they will find that they are now part of the older generation and they will be able to look back and remember the bars and the booze and the birds. x
wow. you’ve convinced me to never go….