God, summer, amirite? Doesn’t it seem like everyone is nearly constantly on a beautiful beach vacation, at all times? Does it burn your irises to see all these glistening photos of oceans, lakes, pools, rivers, bays, tributaries, puddles, etc., while you’re staring at a computer screen in your freezing cold office? If so, you might be suffering from Everyone Is Always On Vacation Syndrome.

Confession: I’m writing this post while ON VACATION. INCEPTION. Should I paint the picture? Stay with me, this is about to get obnoxious. As of this writing, I’m relaxing on a lounge chair by the pool of the Condado Vanderbilt, watching the undulating waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash against the rocks below. I’m snapping pics of sparkling pools and painted toes outstretched in the sand, and uploading them as fast as they come. You, meanwhile, are most likely stuck inside your office, hate-liking every one of them. Sigh. I’ve been there, dude. In but a short time, my own vacation will end and I’ll be bitterly liking someone else’s vacay pics along with the rest of you. Because on Planet Instagram and Planet Facebook, everyone is always on vacation.

But don’t fear! I’ve come up with a few tips for coping with Everyone Is Always On Vacation Syndrome, or EIAOVS (pronounced Yeeaovis), as I might start calling it.

• Book Your Own Future Vacation: Do you have a day or two of leave to use up? Chances are there’s somewhere cheap you could jet (or drive) over to without completely breaking the bank.
• Revisit Recent Vacation Photos: When you return from your own vacation, it’s easy to immediately forget that it ever happened and have an EIAOVS relapse. When you find yourself staring longingly at someone else’s good time and believing nothing good ever happens or will happen to you, ask yourself: did I recently have a good time, also? If so, find the photographic evidence and try to jog your memory.
• Fake it till you make it: Everyone knows that vacations are 80% pictures of legs stretched out in front of you in the sun. So head outside, find a spot in the sun, and snap that pic! You’re practically in Bali already.
• Make a tropical-smelling cocktail: Use that pina colada mix that’s been in your cupboard since freshman year of college. I’m pretty sure that never goes bad.
• Count your blessings: Also count all the money you’re saving by not currently being on vacation.
• Take it poolside: The more private and secluded the better. Membership, smembership. Add some adventure to your “vacation” with some light fence jumping.
• Move to LA.

Okay, maybe these steps won’t really take the place of a sparkling beach or a few carefree days off work, but it’s worth a shot. Just remember that, despite what EIAOVS would lead you to believe, everyone is not always on vacation but you. And if they ARE, I think you owe yourself a trip.