I don't like holidays (first world problem, I accept)

[topcat2014]

Whilst I generally like holidays when I get there - I find the whole run up stressful.

Whilst I am not stingy, I'm always surprised by the cost - especially if they include flights.

Even though I have had some tough work experiences this year - I always feel I'm going on holiday under a cloud and massively inconveniencing my employer.. instead of simply exercising the rights under my contract.

Then there is the return to work. Generally my work will just have piled up for me to do double on the return.

I know this is a first world problem, count blessings etc, but even so..

Probably a follow on from being brought up to be a people pleaser for the rest of the world :)

This is Mn, OP. Large numbers of posters find holidays stressful, either because of flying, packing, the presence of other people, or simply a preference for their own bed.

But the people-pleasing you can change.

I don't ever feel bad about taking holiday with regards to work, but I find flights and staying in new places really stressful. I have ME so I find holidays really tiring and usually have a flareup after. My favourite holidays have been around the uk. I find them much easier to cope with and enjoy them much more. Driving is much easier and i can travel at my own pace. One of my favourite holidays was 3 days camping in the Wye valley a few years ago. It was the best holiday ever - better than my trips to America and Mallorca!!

I also find them stressful, OP: too much faff.

OP would you still dislike holidays if your work did not pile up? Maybe try to ask colleagues to do some ofvthe work, or even sort out things into piles?

I think that having to do double the work to catch up, really ruins holidays. Also, being at work right until the day before a holiday means you are tired and stressed.

I would love to take a leave of absence for a month or two, and go on holiday during this time. It would be great to have the fridge sorted, housework up to date, being well rested.

Every few years could you delegate the work or take a month off unpaid. This would mean you get a proper break.

I find the lead up stressful but once I'm through security & hopefully there's no delays I can relax. Once I'm at the hotel bar/restaurant there's no stopping me! I fully relax then. My kids are older now so I can do exactly as I please

We see threads like this a lot . I can’t understand how people find going on holiday stressful ? Which bits ?
I’d be permanent on holiday if I could. I’m away at least once a month.
Before anyone jumps on me , I know everyone is different.

We used to holiday abroad a lot - dozens of foreign holidays, usually 2 or 3 per year all over the World. But we've stopped. It used to be fun and pleasurable, but now it's just one hassle after another. Starting with the journey to the airport which is stressful because of horrendous traffic congestion meaning we have to leave stupidly early. Then the airport car park - often full with nowhere to park adding to the stress even though pre-booked, just having to wait for someone to arrive to leave the car park. Then unreliable airport car park shuttle busses. Then queues at baggage drop off, then security, etc. I've had enough before we even get to the departure lounge. At the other end, long queues for hire car desks, then often they don't have the car size we've booked, etc. Then almost certainly something wrong with the room/apartment. It's just crap customer service right from leaving home both in the UK and abroad. We now just rent holiday cottages in the UK on farms etc - we're in control, if we're late, we're late, we're not going to miss the flight, own car, so no hire car problems, etc.

I also really dislike holidays.

I hate flying.
Airports stress the fcuk out of me.
Frequently when you get to the hotel/your destination, it is a huge let down.
I hate tourists and the noise, mess, chaos that comes with them.
The expense! For even a mediocre holiday.

In my life I've had maybe 20 - 30 holidays, and out of them all, I'd say I would only want to redo 3 or 4 of them.

IMO you just don't get what you pay for. They sell a dream and it is frequently if not a nightmare just not pleasant.

We usually get a taxi to & from the airport which we find is less hassle & cheaper than parking at the airport. Though we're going to risk getting the bus this year which is only £40 return for 3 of us. Baggage drop I've found much improved since we check in online. And I've never had a problem with the hotel or room as I am meticulous in making sure the room is exactly what I want by looking at the website, & reading reviews. Last 2 holidays abroad have been pretty much perfect as I left no stone unturned

I also find them very overstimulating and having being around others all the time - even my own family!
covid was a natural break for us and we didn’t go away for three years and it was bliss. Now we do go but I always make sure if it’s a city break we are back the Thursday so I can do my Friday and if we’re back on a weekend I book the Monday off work too. It’s allows me to relax as I know when I get home I have a me day and can catch up with the washing etc

Getting to the airport on time
Potentially forgetting medications, wishing I'd brought a certain item of clothing, etc
Having to fit everything in one case that i can't lift
Being around crowds in big airports that are loud, bright, and hot
Being disabled so everything is 10x more difficult
Travel delays and chronic pain = very bad mixture
Not knowing if you've accidentally booked a shithole to stay in
The price of plane and train tickets
Not being able to eat any of the food being gluten, onion, and garlic intolerant
I've made my home so nice that nowhere compares, and I already live in a place where people go on holiday 🤣

So don't go?

Thanks for the messages..

We haven't flown since before Covid. Were due to fly that year etc.
We are miles from any decent airport.
I much prefer 1 week UK holidays, but they seem a bit lame to DD.

I am pleased to be going, deep down, really, especially after a period "between jobs" earlier this year..

While i love being in new places, I find travelling difficult. Holidays with kids are really stressful, buying clothes that fit for everyone, packing, organising the house the dog etc. Then going somewhere you want to be but can't really enjoy anyway because you are stuck watching kids. I admit the last 2 years were much easier as they are getting older so we have better times ahead. This isn't helped by DH who lives only for holidays and likes to make everything as complicated as possible, we could be driving to another airport (we live v near one) then hiring a car on arrival and travelling to a few locations, self catering when we land so I'm thinking of grocery shopping en route then packing up again after a few days to the next spot I can't enjoy. We've had massive rows over it and agreed a compromise with reduced travel but he would never do anything package. We also end up in really hot places and i hate the heat so im mostly irritable, but the kids are having a ball. As his business has thrived and we are doing better financially, he has upped to 3 holidays per year. Yes my diamond shoes are too tight etc etc. I'm not allowed complain IRL as I sound so spoilt and ridiculous but I find it stressful and feel guilty because so many other people would happily swap with me if they could.