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Original poster

Holiday anxiety - anyone else?

110 replies

maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 16:17

We’ve never done a city break as a family but just booked Paris for next week. Myself, husband and x2 kids (10&13)

Completely irrational, I know, but anyone else suffer from ‘pre-holiday anxiety?’
Between now & next week I’ll be anxious about everything related to these few days away. 😭

Anyone else? Any tips?

OP posts:
bushproblems · 09/04/2025 17:43

I feel like this, but I’m agoraphobic. Have my first holiday booked (just to Wales) next week! I feel very nervous about being away from home full stop but I have to keep pushing myself to get more comfortable.

Original poster
maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:40

Lists currently being drawn up…

OP posts:
proximalhumerous · 09/04/2025 17:39

maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:29

@proximalhumerous I did say it was irrational. This therefore means I get anxious over things most folk probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid at.
My mind literally races away with me. Here’s a snapshot…

…passports/what time should we leave/how many phone chargers should we take/I’ll need to get a new rucksack before we go (don’t own one) but what’s the best day to do that/how many pairs of socks/what to budget per day/will the hotel be clean enough/we’re on the red eye so that’s gonna be grim/need to get someone to look after the pet/hie many days till we go/what toiletries do I need to purchase/daughter wearing crocs, are these adequate for city break…ad infinitum.

Not looking for any answers/resolutions to the above. I realised this problem is 100% mine.

I know you said you weren't looking for answers, but I would deal with these worries by making a list and checking stuff off. That won't cover things like whether the hotel is clean, but will mitigate against things going wrong and should then lessen anxiety.

SunsetCocktails · 09/04/2025 17:38

Phone chargers, one each
Socks, enough for a pair a day and a couple of extra pairs
Crocs, most likely fine but take another pair of shoes or trainers just in case
Pets, usually this is sorted when we book the holiday, but then we have several cats that need to go in a very popular cattery
Toiletries, I use up bottles of shampoo, shower gel etc, until there’s enough left in the bottle for a week away. That way it’s less on your weight limit, and you can chuck the empty bottles at the end of your stay

suburberphobe · 09/04/2025 17:32

Buy an adaptor at the airport for charging your phone.

Original poster
maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:30

@Gogogo12345 @LobeliaBaggins
Thank you ❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:29

@proximalhumerous I did say it was irrational. This therefore means I get anxious over things most folk probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid at.
My mind literally races away with me. Here’s a snapshot…

…passports/what time should we leave/how many phone chargers should we take/I’ll need to get a new rucksack before we go (don’t own one) but what’s the best day to do that/how many pairs of socks/what to budget per day/will the hotel be clean enough/we’re on the red eye so that’s gonna be grim/need to get someone to look after the pet/hie many days till we go/what toiletries do I need to purchase/daughter wearing crocs, are these adequate for city break…ad infinitum.

Not looking for any answers/resolutions to the above. I realised this problem is 100% mine.

OP posts:
LobeliaBaggins · 09/04/2025 17:24

Gogogo12345 · 09/04/2025 16:44

If you have passport, access to money and a phone everything else is sortable

You need to keep repeating this.

proximalhumerous · 09/04/2025 17:19

What are you anxious about? It's Paris, not Paraguay.

Original poster
maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:19

Fellow compadres - thank you for your kindness & compassion.

OP posts:
Original poster
maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:15

@DoPenguinsHaveHips
Double whammy; cheery AND helpful!

Many thanks

OP posts:
SunsetCocktails · 09/04/2025 17:13

I think it’s normal to have some anxiety about the journey, flights being on time and not cancelled, transfers turning up, accommodation being as you expect etc. I only really think about these things literally when I’m leaving the house though. As long as you have passport, any travel authorisation completed, money and phone you’ll be good!

bettydavieseyes · 09/04/2025 17:13

Me this year. I've made so many rough plans and then decided to do none of them. I don't know why but this year I am just not feeling it! I'm not depressed, we can afford a holiday but I don't feel like going anywhere at all.

minnienono · 09/04/2025 17:13

Just check, double check and triple check passports, money etc. get travel insurance, have saved on your phone for easy access you hotel booking reference in case they ask on arrival and return travel information (they don’t always ask but does happen post Brexit). Beyond that go have fun

PassingStranger · 09/04/2025 17:11

Live in the present tomorrow hasn't arrived yet
Today Is all you have.
Read positive thinking books.

Ddakji · 09/04/2025 17:09

Yes, I do, a lot. I am not good with going to new places, especially abroad.

Not about taking stuff so much, but all the tech things you have to do nowadays, and then, will it go well, will DD enjoy it, are we dragging her to somewhere we want to go, etc.

Woodburnerisout · 09/04/2025 17:09

Lou7171 · 09/04/2025 16:28

Over think what? It's a holiday.

Show quote history

Must be lovely not to have any empathy for someone clearly less confident than yourself....

Woodburnerisout · 09/04/2025 17:08

DoPenguinsHaveHips · 09/04/2025 16:24

Probably just you.

Delightful response.....

Peachy2005 · 09/04/2025 17:07

It’s not just you. Make a comprehensive list, work through it. Put everything on there!

Gustavo77 · 09/04/2025 16:52

Definitely. I hate going on holiday partly because of this. I don't have any solutions I'm afraid but I do sympathise, you're not on your own with it.

MerelyPlaying · 09/04/2025 16:46

It’s normal. The thing I struggle with is leaving the house. I worry about it being empty, I clean like mad because someone is going to have to come in and feed the cats, and I have an irrational fear that I’ll never come home again. The holiday itself isn’t usually the worry.

CloudywMeatballs · 09/04/2025 16:45

No, I don't get this at all actually. Yes, something could go wrong, but something could go wrong at home too. I look forward to holidays!

Gogogo12345 · 09/04/2025 16:44

If you have passport, access to money and a phone everything else is sortable

vandelier · 09/04/2025 16:42

It's a common thing to be a bit agitated before going away. I think it's to do with going out of the comfort zone!

OP, all I can offer you as reassurance is that you will have people with you, if you forget something you can buy it there, the accommodation will be fine (assume you looked at the reviews and pics online!), if travel (air) is disrupted through no fault of yours, you will be accommodated asap and/or compensated.

The MOST important thing is to bring your passport, make sure all are in date, and your bank card and phone. All in one little cross body bag. Once you have those items, you can cope with anything else.

I'm sure it will all go well. Paris, you lucky thing! Enjoy.

NeedToChangeName · 09/04/2025 16:42

I find it helpful to remember that, most things, there is a solution eg if i take the wrong clothes, I can afford to buy a new top on holiday if necessary