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AIBU?

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Original poster

Holiday anxiety - anyone else?

110 replies

maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 16:17

We’ve never done a city break as a family but just booked Paris for next week. Myself, husband and x2 kids (10&13)

Completely irrational, I know, but anyone else suffer from ‘pre-holiday anxiety?’
Between now & next week I’ll be anxious about everything related to these few days away. 😭

Anyone else? Any tips?

OP posts:
DoPenguinsHaveHips · 09/04/2025 16:24

Probably just you.

the80sweregreat · 09/04/2025 16:27

I do too. I think it’s sometimes best not to overthink things , but it’s hard.

Lou7171 · 09/04/2025 16:28

the80sweregreat · 09/04/2025 16:27

I do too. I think it’s sometimes best not to overthink things , but it’s hard.

Over think what? It's a holiday.

GeorgeMichaelsMicStand · 09/04/2025 16:33

Yes every time. Once you’re there you forget it

the80sweregreat · 09/04/2025 16:34

I tend to overthink things ! I don’t think that’s an uncommon thing with some people.

ZippyPeer · 09/04/2025 16:35

Lou7171 · 09/04/2025 16:28

Over think what? It's a holiday.

Show quote history

Something might go wrong with the travel.
The accommodation might be shit.
You might forget a crucial bit of packing

Oneearringlost · 09/04/2025 16:35

Oh OP, I really understand.
It's a mixture of anticipation and dread, that something won't go to plan...fear of the Unexpected.

It'll all probably go swimmingly...but the human brain can trick us up, sometimes.
It's also to do with going outside your normal routine and environment.
Remember, feeling are just that, doesn't make them true. I bet it'll be lovely.
Just try not to ruminate too much.
We've had lovely holidays in Berlin, Bali, Venice, Salzburg...all went well.
But I do sympathise, you're not alone, by any means.

JoyousEagle · 09/04/2025 16:37

Lou7171 · 09/04/2025 16:28

Over think what? It's a holiday.

Show quote history

Something going wrong, obviously.

I think it’s fairly common to worry when you’ve spent a chunk of money and are looking forward to something, because you want it to be as good as you hope, and not a disappointment.

Twinkletoes10 · 09/04/2025 16:38

No matter what I always feel that I may have booked the wrong dates or misspelt a name. It is a total dread 🤣

Eurovision · 09/04/2025 16:39

I'm the same. Has taken me 6 years to pluck up the courage to book an all inclusive in Spain. Totally irrational anxiety but so hard to ignore.

NeedToChangeName · 09/04/2025 16:42

I find it helpful to remember that, most things, there is a solution eg if i take the wrong clothes, I can afford to buy a new top on holiday if necessary

vandelier · 09/04/2025 16:42

It's a common thing to be a bit agitated before going away. I think it's to do with going out of the comfort zone!

OP, all I can offer you as reassurance is that you will have people with you, if you forget something you can buy it there, the accommodation will be fine (assume you looked at the reviews and pics online!), if travel (air) is disrupted through no fault of yours, you will be accommodated asap and/or compensated.

The MOST important thing is to bring your passport, make sure all are in date, and your bank card and phone. All in one little cross body bag. Once you have those items, you can cope with anything else.

I'm sure it will all go well. Paris, you lucky thing! Enjoy.

Gogogo12345 · 09/04/2025 16:44

If you have passport, access to money and a phone everything else is sortable

CloudywMeatballs · 09/04/2025 16:45

No, I don't get this at all actually. Yes, something could go wrong, but something could go wrong at home too. I look forward to holidays!

MerelyPlaying · 09/04/2025 16:46

It’s normal. The thing I struggle with is leaving the house. I worry about it being empty, I clean like mad because someone is going to have to come in and feed the cats, and I have an irrational fear that I’ll never come home again. The holiday itself isn’t usually the worry.

Gustavo77 · 09/04/2025 16:52

Definitely. I hate going on holiday partly because of this. I don't have any solutions I'm afraid but I do sympathise, you're not on your own with it.

Peachy2005 · 09/04/2025 17:07

It’s not just you. Make a comprehensive list, work through it. Put everything on there!

Woodburnerisout · 09/04/2025 17:08

DoPenguinsHaveHips · 09/04/2025 16:24

Probably just you.

Delightful response.....

Woodburnerisout · 09/04/2025 17:09

Lou7171 · 09/04/2025 16:28

Over think what? It's a holiday.

Show quote history

Must be lovely not to have any empathy for someone clearly less confident than yourself....

Ddakji · 09/04/2025 17:09

Yes, I do, a lot. I am not good with going to new places, especially abroad.

Not about taking stuff so much, but all the tech things you have to do nowadays, and then, will it go well, will DD enjoy it, are we dragging her to somewhere we want to go, etc.

PassingStranger · 09/04/2025 17:11

Live in the present tomorrow hasn't arrived yet
Today Is all you have.
Read positive thinking books.

minnienono · 09/04/2025 17:13

Just check, double check and triple check passports, money etc. get travel insurance, have saved on your phone for easy access you hotel booking reference in case they ask on arrival and return travel information (they don’t always ask but does happen post Brexit). Beyond that go have fun

bettydavieseyes · 09/04/2025 17:13

Me this year. I've made so many rough plans and then decided to do none of them. I don't know why but this year I am just not feeling it! I'm not depressed, we can afford a holiday but I don't feel like going anywhere at all.

SunsetCocktails · 09/04/2025 17:13

I think it’s normal to have some anxiety about the journey, flights being on time and not cancelled, transfers turning up, accommodation being as you expect etc. I only really think about these things literally when I’m leaving the house though. As long as you have passport, any travel authorisation completed, money and phone you’ll be good!

Original poster
maldivemoment · 09/04/2025 17:15

@DoPenguinsHaveHips
Double whammy; cheery AND helpful!

Many thanks

OP posts: