Having a wobble about travelling alone...

[BearSoFair]

Flying by myself this week, only short haul within Europe but it's my first flight alone since before having kids, so over 20 years! I'm not a confident flyer even with company but keep telling myself the destination is worth the journey. Still getting a huge wave of nerves whenever I think about it though...the thought of being on holiday on my own isn't stressing me out, it's just the actual journey!

I'm not really sure what I'm asking for, just some reassurance I suppose

First time I went to New York I went on my own.

I'm sure it will be fine, what is your actual worry?

Give your self time, read the signs, and just ask if you're worried.

If you haven't flown for 20 years, the security is going to be a shock - make sure you've got all the right things in the right places (liquids of the right size in a clear plastic bag etc), and it'll be fine - just take longer than you remember!

Honestly, just ask people - it's fine, there's the occasional grumpy toad, but I fly a lot, and most staff are happy to help when they can.

Oh, and even if you've got the wrong things in the wrong place, don't worry - they'll just pull you over and explain (although you might have to abandon it!)

For example, I once had a cherry bakewell (left over from coffee shop when child decided they didn't want it after all) and my headphones in the front pocket of my hand luggage, and was pulled over because it looked suspicious - they were serious, until we pulled out the cherry bakewell and then we were both giggling at the ridiculousness of it!

What exactly is worrying you about the journey?

I've flown in that time just not on my own. I guess my biggest worry is the 'I'm not really a fan of this' unsettled feeling I have around flying is going to be a lot harder to manage on my own. Weirdly I never used to be nervous about it at all so I'm not sure how the nerves/fear gradually became more of a problem.

I love flying alone.

Flip it in your head:

• no children asking for drinks, food, play games. You can eat, drink and have as much peace as possible.

• nobody making you either super early for the gate or super late for the gate.

• OK. Admittedly you'll need to sit next to a stranger. But you dont know them, so you dont need to talk to them. Whereas, you know, children, DH, you have to speak to them. Now, you have a choice. Read a book, sleep, gaze longingly out the window. The world's your oyster.

• you can pack what you want. You won't need to make the choice between a dress and your child's toy.

• people watching. I'm a people watcher. Airports, A&E, train stations, love them all.

• flying is part of the holiday, so have things planned that'll you'll enjoy.

I'm not sure why the spacing went weird in that post. Sorry