Does anyone else get nervous / stressed before trip away?

[Cloud44]

Don’t go away often which is probably half the problem, but in theory in get excited about going away but when the time comes the closer it gets I feel quite nervous. We have a weekend away booked in a couple of months and I know I ll be worried about leaving the pets, what if we are poorly before going, just stupid things. Is anyone the same? Any advice? I’d let to feel more chilled and accept there’s no point in worrying about what you can’t control like illness.

The whole “enjoying when he gets there” is such a slap in the face. It is obviously deliberately done to start enjoying the holiday once it has been spoiled for everyone else.

This isn't true for all people who stress before a holiday though. My anxiety means I find preparing for a holiday stressful, but it's mine, and I don't try to give it to others. My DC laugh at me checking and double checking, and going to the loo 15 times before we leave the house, and being unable to eat at the airport while they merrily demolish a fry up.

Their enjoyment isn't spoilt, I don't want to spoil anyone's holiday, and certainly I don't have anxiety on purpose, I'd love not to feel as I do. And honestly? I don't enjoy it that much when I get there as my anxiety will start building again about the journey home. I mainly go away for my DC and DP, if it was just me I'd never go on holiday as it's not worth the anxiety it causes me.

This is me! Not helped by DS coming down with chicken pox the day before our last holiday - all my worries coming true.
Although it was actually quite straightforward to rearrange everything, so maybe next time I might be a bit more chilled about it all. Then again maybe not.

Not for short breaks but for longer trips, then definitely yes! Sorting out visas, pet care, insurance, meds, trying to get everything done at work (so cramming in far too much!) blah blah. I usually feel in the week before that there is no point in going away. I don’t moan about it though, I make a to do list and methodically work through it. And then, when we go, I relax in stages. So, once we are checked in at the airport, I feel better and once at our destination, with luggage safely collected, I can really enjoy myself. I have an utterly ridiculous fear of luggage going awol. It’s totally stupid, because I know I could just get more stuff and it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it bothers me. DH knows I’m a stress head about it and always wants to take responsibility for sorting everything out, but that would stress me more 🤦‍♀️ I’m a control freak at times!!!

YANBU. I think it's just practice.

I had a global job for 15 years. On flights every other week by myself. US, Europe, Africa. Then I had ds and a uk job, then covid came and I basically stayed at home for a whole year.

New job, ds at senior school, and I was required to travel. Only up the motorway but I still got nervous, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. It felt ludicrous but it's gone now.

You'll be fine 🙂

Not really, but I usually think I can’t be bothered with all the faff - especially if airports/planes are involved - and would much rather stay at home.

Never used to be like this but my wanderlust has gone for good.

No I don't. You need to flip this thinking because otherwise you turn into that person who can organise the fun out of a wedding.

Flip it to I deserve this adventure/break/time to relax and the logistics leading up to it are all part of enjoyment of stepping out of your routine/responsibilities.

I won't even do self catering places now, I don't want any domestic drudge on holidays.

Oh I’m the very same. I get so stressed. I do all the organizing, not just the holiday itself but getting the hens,dog,cats minded etc. We are going away for Christmas and I’m double stressed as I need to have all the Santa stuff sorted too. I can feel the anxiety kicking in now.
Even on the plane I’m worrying about whether we locked up the house properly and what if our accommodation isn’t nice. Once I’m there I’m fine!

I definitely worry about leaving my dogs! They stay with my parents and my dad is a vet so really they couldn’t stay anywhere better but I get so worked up being apart from them to the extent we have done UK dog holidays for a few years.

Hoping to get over this a bit next year though as we’re planning a week abroad.

You are right @jeaux90 , I really want to be able to do that! At the moment I’m really worried about getting poorly just before the holiday though … I know it’s silly to worry about what you can’t control but it’s on my mind a lot!

Any tips for how to chill in the couple of days leading up to a break? Especially if things start to go wrong like coming down with the lurgy?! Just dose up and carry on?!

@Cloud44
I am due to go away Friday for a few days and I have been tossing and turning thinking of all I need to do before then. It is worse in my situation because we have( lovely ) carers in to stay to look after out disabled children. Both of them have OCD type tendencies and are ultra organised ( the carers not the kids ) so I do worry about what they think of my messy home ! But then I know they do not judge and with children with complex needs it is a case of prioritising the essentials and letting the rest slip. Although I know all this I am still making mental lists of what needs doing and praying no.one gets ill before we leave to put the kibosh on it.
So my natural unease at going away ( v much a home bird ) is massively compounded by all this and everytime we do this I tell my husband I am not doing it ever again. ! He just rolls his eyes !
Anyway no.helpful hints other than to say I just try to ignore myself emotionally and crack on. Ignore any signs of illness ( my stock.approach anyway on that score ) and know that when I go I will be fine and enjoy it so it is all worth it .