Anxious and tearful before holiday - anyone else?

[coffeerevelsrule]

We (me and teens) are going away this week and I am feeling increasingly anxious about it. This always happens to me but is worse this time as we are going out of Europe, which I haven't done since they were born, and I feel so unprepared. I feel on the brink of tears and can't motivate myself to do anything that might make me feel a bit more on top of things.

It doesn't help that I have we have to set off pretty much straight from work on Tuesday, which feels horribly rushed but there was no way round it. I know if we weren't going away I'd be miserable about that, and wherever we were going I would feel anxious. I have this every year but I'm sure it is getting worse with age.

Any tips to give me a shake would be great!

I understand, I think I have always been like this, and it’s definitely got worse with kids.

I find that a list helps.

Into sections.

so clothes per person, first aid, shoes, toiletries, chargers etc.

I also have a notepad I leave in the bag. So if I forget something or something would have helped, note it down. Then when packing next time it is there.

I also try and simplify it. Underpack rather than overpack. It’s not likely that there will be NO shops.

pack today, get the most of it done, then you have tomorrow to add or change bits.

I do understand the anxiety as there is a lot to think about and take with you and holidays can be stressful.
Just try to think of the outcome, once you’re on that plane you are away from it all and hopefully it’ll be a great holiday. I know that I am a bit of a mess before we leave especially leaving the house , but it's always been fine! I hope others have better advice, but I’m sure it’ll go well for you.

I often feel like this. I’m not nervous about travelling it’s just that I give 110% of myself to get through normal life so getting sorted to go away is a lot !

Thats no help!

I’m the opposite - love holidays and the excitement of the countdown.
Perhaps try and work out what is making you so anxious - doesn’t seem a normal reaction to something nice?

Thanks both - nicely, it's good to know I'm not alone!

I hate flying, so that is part of the problem, though dc don't know I feel that way. Also, we are travelling around in the new country and have 6 different places to stay across a 2 week period! It sounds exhausting even as I write it. And hiring a car in a place I've never driven before... I will not relax until we get back!

But I know that holidays in one place where we don't do a ,lot don't really suit us as a family so... Every time I tell someone about this holiday their eyes widen and they mention being brave, but most people I know are very much 10 days in AI in Spain people, which is absolutely fine but doesn't work for us.

I think that sounds lovely. Will any of the places have a washing machine ? You can really cut down on clothes if you can wash.

Have an amazing time !

Have an amazing time. Trust your brain that it will shift into gear once you walk out of the office. You just have too many things in your bucket right now. As soon as work is out of the way, the burden will lighten and you can allow yourself to enjoy this new chapter.

Surely there's a compromise between loafing around a pool in Spain and 6 different places in 2 weeks!

I am the same. Always stress about leaving the house and feel like I have to clean the oven and fridge and change the bedsheets before I go. I loathe packing and it seems to take forever. I'm also not keen on the actual travelling part, particularly long waits at airports and ferry terminals. I'm always so relieved to arrive though and it's always worth it in the end.

I get this.
I find the whole process incredibly stressful - planning/booking/travelling/being in new places but I do it as I feel it’s worth it.
I think part of it is the responsibility and the worry that if anything goes wrong I will be annoyed with myself.

When I was a teenager I remember feeling sorry for my neighbours who would return to the same hotel each year - it seemed terribly dull and boring.
Now I can see the attraction of the familiar!

Why do we all throughly clean a house we won’t be in for the duration of the holiday ? I do it too only to come home and make it messy again with the holiday washing etc. Most people I know do this! Lol

I don't like holidays, not worth the stress! Best bit about them is coming home. I am also one of those people who generally goes back to somewhere I know. Not AI, my idea of hell, but small family hotels where you get to know the owners, like a home from home.

Travelling once arrived would also be my idea of hell!

Probably something to do with the fact that as a child we always went to stay with family in the same place in Italy, and by car, and for several weeks. That was blissful.