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AIBU?

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Is it normal to feel this anxious before a holiday

57 replies

goggly20 · 04/08/2026 09:56

Due to go abroad this Saturday. I feel so anxious that something might go wrong this week to prevent us going. This morning my dd said she had a sore throat and already I’ve catastrophised this into the start of some terrible illness that will stop us going (she is fine within herself). I am constantly on edge thinking someone will get ill or something will go wrong and we won’t be able to go. Logically I know this is completely pointless and worrying won’t solve or prevent anything.

I think because it’s our one holiday of the year and we all look forward to it so much it just plays on my mind. Also a bit overwhelmed from trying to get everyone packed and ready while working. Is anyone else like this? What can I do to just chill and look forward to it? At the moment the lead up to it is the worst part when I should be excited and happy to go.

OP posts:
squashyhat · 04/08/2026 10:25

Why are you doing everyone's packing?

NotAnotherScarf · 04/08/2026 10:22

Increasingly normal because

Covid. We couldn't travel and that frustration is still in the back of your mind

We build holidays up, especially summer ones with kids, to be a brilliant, must enjoy every moment despite knowing you'll be doing it all again next year

The grief of airports...the way we accept being treated like scum. Being herded from place to place. The lack of information. The lack of staff to ask The million things you worry can go wrong. I used a ferry to France in may. Completely different experience relaxing controlled information always available.

The horror stories the press love

The thing is 70 million holiday trips are made by brits every year 99.9999% are fine. You will be fine. She may have a sore throat today, being a kid she's going to be fine tomorrow.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 04/08/2026 10:16

This is why we haven't gone abroad for 2 years.

Thingcanonlygetbetter · 04/08/2026 10:05

I am exactly the same, I have actually had to give myself a good talking too as my stress before holidays was impacting everyone else in the house.
write lists, ensure you spread the work load of preparing with the rest of your family.
Make sure you have good travel insurance. I tell myself now if anything goes wrong we are insured.

goggly20 · 04/08/2026 10:04

Ugh I just wish I could chill out and actually look forward to it! A few years ago we had a weekend away planned and dd got very poorly literally the evening before we were meant to go - I thought she might be alright but the next morning she was throwing up and clearly too sick to travel. We lost loads of money and were all gutted and that was just a weekend away. Since then I get worried about it happening again.

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 04/08/2026 10:03

Totally normal, we work and save all year for this two weeks we limp towards. I’m the same when it’s time to come home!

Tickets25 · 04/08/2026 09:59

I have no advice but I'm exactly the same, I feel sad sometimes that other people look forward to these things so much but I just can't seem to

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