Does anyone else get REALLY anxious before going on holiday?

[ScarlettDarling]

Off on holiday on Thursday and the feeling of dread/anxiety I always get before I go away has struck. It happens every time I go away. I'll be fine once we're at the airport but the few days before I go are always horrendous.

I'm going on a walk in a minute to try and sort myself out but was wondering if anyone else gets like this?

I always get frisked by security at Manchester Airport, which means I'm extra anxious about flying

Yes me too. I even look at people going about their usual day on the way to the airport and feel jealous 😂

I’m ok if it’s a UK holiday. It’s flying really. Oh and terrorism in recent years has made it worse.

Thanks everyone, hearing that others suffer too has actually really helped!

My main fear is one of us getting ill while we're away or getting ill before we leave and having to cancel. I have terrible health anxiety anyway so fear of getting ill is a pretty big theme in my life!!

Contessa my dc know what I'm like and I told them this morning I'm having the holiday panics! Luckily they are both like their dad and love everything about going away.

Just a few days to go....

contessa my childhood was exactly the same!
My mother absolutely RUINED every single trip we ever took and it made me hate going on holidays with her which is sad. Even now I would never contemplate going abroad with her. It's just not worth it. She stresses and panics about every last teeny tiny thing.

I think though that it has made me a far better traveller as I was always determined not to be like her. Dh and I are very relaxed, chilled out travellers and we have travelled a lot as a family. DD has been to so many places and to her it's all very normal, which is how I wanted it to be for her.

I travel a lot for work too. I LOVE it!

omg I feel nauseous and stressed just before the holiday, irrespective of all the planning I do and lists I've made. I don't know why I'm like that, but its been the same since childhood. It used to upset DS and DD, but DP just gets on with it.

For me it's the extra stress of getting things straight, handovers etc. at work, plus all the things you need to do on top of packing. I'm single so it's all down to me.

Pets need to go to the home boarder, I need to remember their vaccination cards, the dog needs to take food. Suitcases need getting out of the loft. Do I need to ask someone to put the bins out? Printing the car park reservation for the airport. Checking in online. Travel insurance. Last minute stuff like emptying the kitchen bin, washing any last minute dishes. What time do we need to leave to get to the airport in enough time?

So much to think about and do. I also have lists, packing and to do lists including one for all the very last minute stuff you have to do like checking there's nothing in the fridge that's going to go mouldy. Once I'm out the door I'm fine.

yep - just me, DD & DS flying to Florida. Trying not to worry too much in case it brings on a migraine which would be terrible.

So much paperwork to sort out and remember. I had a nightmare that I wasn't allowed to board the plane. Roll on Friday, once I'm in the air I'm fine.

Yes! I hate the waiting to leave.
Last time we went away my mum came to cat and house sit so I didn’t need to worry about anything at home.
I get very stressed until we are at the airport. Then I’m fine.

Fortunately my DH is very understanding and will tolerate sitting in an airport for 3 hours. I book a lounge as my prize.

Yes if I need to catch a flight/ ferry. I get paranoid about missing it. I usually end up getting to the airport way too early. If I've booked a taxi to the airport I panic if it is a couple of minutes late.

If I'm just going to a cottage in the UK I'm fine- which is why we do that more often than not.

ooh yes, I'm just fighting the urge to wash in advance every single item of clothing that we own. Even though we're only going to France for a week. and they'll be a washing machine in the gite if I absolutely need one.

My DM is having the dog, DS is at home so nothing really difficult. I just feel that all the arrangements rest with me and if something goes wrong (and it has in the past but was all rescuable) it will be down to me!

Yes, I worry, mainly about health. Ie. Poorly before travel, poorly when away, travel insurance doesn't Cover medical expenses etc.

I always lie in bed the few nights before wondering why I have booked it, don't want to go etc. Not through anxiety as such just like to be at home.
Every time I vow never again ! And when I get there the first night I often feel the same but after that I start to enjoy it and am glad I went. I have a friend who is exactly the same and we often comment we are nuts but we just can't help it !

Yes to pretty much what everyone else has said. Once I get there it usually takes me about 48 hours to settle in and stop wanting to go home. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes! Am going away the day after tomorrow and have butterflies in my stomach.

I am flying because the train I had booked was cancelled as the line has a landslide on it. I haven’t flown for almost 17 years and am scared.

To make things worse, the dc are flying somewhere else with their Dad on the same day, so I am worried about their flights too . And not only that, all the stuff that could go wrong on their holiday.

Don’t feel great it has to be said.

No, but I am military organised
I leave my house sparkling so it’s lovely to return to
I buy valet airport parking
I buy premium passport control
And organise taxi service to collect from airport via the hotel

In short - I organise and throw money at the problem
The upshot is - no anxiety just excitement (and a touch of exhaustion from all the spring cleaning!)

(And have found out that they may all have to sit separately - my 3 dc and their Dad. And it is two of the dcs’ first flight ever. Sitting on the plane on their own .)

We travel a lot and have lived overseas in various countries - I'd say I was very well travelled but secretly I hate it 😅. I hate flying and I hate staying in hotels even fancy ones.
I dont know why. I think I'm being ridiculous. I like seeing the sites and exploring new places but would do anything to sleep in my own bed in my own house.

I get anxious before I travel but I've literally no idea why. It seems so silly. I don't think of myself as a nervous person but maybe I am 🤷🏻‍♀️

I am dreadfully anxious til a) the plane takes off if flying with handluggage b) I am reunited with my checked luggage c) if driving, when we arrive at the destination. I feel sick for several days before hand, even though I love travelling and have been all over.

Yes. Packing is stressful, especially if you're going somewhere where the weather is changeable or if you're flying just with hand luggage. Then all the logistics of getting there, if you miss one part, you've missed the whole thing. I've done a lot of budget trips with anti-social times, arriving at coach stations in the dark on my own, that kind of thing.
I also find the first night somewhere difficult. Often difficult to find the hotel, then it's often a let down, or at least I perceive it as such because I'm so nervous. I don't sleep well the first night somewhere new either.
I usually start enjoying myself the day after. With my last holiday, the most relaxed day was the one after coming home. The stress was over, but the change of scene had done me a world of good.

Do you all have to sort everything out alone? Don’t your partners and DCs help with the packing etc?

My friend gets stressed like this and recently said that she packs for the whole family - her kids are 15 and 17 😳.

Now my teens can be lazy little shits in many ways but I don’t think I’ve packed a case for them since their year 6 school trip.

I am a single parent
I honestly sometimes wonder why in many respects I dont get anxious about stuff. I’m the boss, it’s all down to me, no bickering with another adult. It’s my way or the high way!

Yes this is me!
I have been a lot better since I've been on venlafaxine for my anxiety but I still stress out massively in the run up to hols.
Then I forget and get over confident booking another ambitious trip!
Last year I took 3 DC abroad as a lone parent, had to get up at 3am to catch a flight then get a local bus and ferry to where we were staying in a random guesthouse where no one spoke English! have no idea what I was thinking when I booked it! Everything went to plan fortunately. We did have a wobble when DC1 had suspected cellulitis and the only doctor on the island was away, but luckily it got better on its own.

Sounds like I'm not alone!
I stress about everything connected to the holiday. I'm getting my hair done on Thurs morning...what if the hairdresser is sick and I have to go away with these grey roots? What if the taxi can't fit all of our cases in the boot? It's ridiculous!

I struggle to get out of the house. I go around checking windows and taps and plugs a million times. Have I switched everything off? Will the water pipes leak or burst when we’re away? Are all doors locked?

This ^. A water pipe did burst whilst I was away resulting in a mahoosive claim and 18 months in temporary accommodation - I now get anxious whenever I leave the house and regularly turn back after
I have left as I am convinced that I left something on or not locked the door