Holiday anxiety - anyone else?

[maldivemoment]

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?

Fellow compadres - thank you for your kindness & compassion.

What are you anxious about? It's Paris, not Paraguay.

You need to keep repeating this.

@proximalhumerous I did say it was irrational. This therefore means I get anxious over things most folk probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid at.
My mind literally races away with me. Here’s a snapshot…

…passports/what time should we leave/how many phone chargers should we take/I’ll need to get a new rucksack before we go (don’t own one) but what’s the best day to do that/how many pairs of socks/what to budget per day/will the hotel be clean enough/we’re on the red eye so that’s gonna be grim/need to get someone to look after the pet/hie many days till we go/what toiletries do I need to purchase/daughter wearing crocs, are these adequate for city break…ad infinitum.

Not looking for any answers/resolutions to the above. I realised this problem is 100% mine.

@Gogogo12345 @LobeliaBaggins
Thank you ❤️

Buy an adaptor at the airport for charging your phone.

Phone chargers, one each
Socks, enough for a pair a day and a couple of extra pairs
Crocs, most likely fine but take another pair of shoes or trainers just in case
Pets, usually this is sorted when we book the holiday, but then we have several cats that need to go in a very popular cattery
Toiletries, I use up bottles of shampoo, shower gel etc, until there’s enough left in the bottle for a week away. That way it’s less on your weight limit, and you can chuck the empty bottles at the end of your stay

I know you said you weren't looking for answers, but I would deal with these worries by making a list and checking stuff off. That won't cover things like whether the hotel is clean, but will mitigate against things going wrong and should then lessen anxiety.

Lists currently being drawn up…

I feel like this, but I’m agoraphobic. Have my first holiday booked (just to Wales) next week! I feel very nervous about being away from home full stop but I have to keep pushing myself to get more comfortable.

The thing to remember about a lot of what you’re worried about is that you can buy stuff there - it’s not like you’re going to the back of beyond.

Crocs are fine, very comfy!

I also tend to worry. More so about packing and remembering everything we all need. We did recently do a weekend in Paris with similar aged children (g 15 and b 12). We did the usual Eiffel Tower etc but also did some of the TikTok trends to keep them interested (giant croissant, viral hot chocolate place etc). Was a lovely weekend and I didn't let the anxiety win for a change! Have a great time c

Photocopy your passports and put them in a different bag. Handy if the originals are lost.

Clothing - just take enough for the number of days. If a t shirt is stained, it’s not a problem if you have to get a worn one out if the dirty washing bag in an emergency. But everyone should have spare shoes/trainers. It’s not fun trying to buy new shoes if someone’s shoes fall apart there and then.

I get a bit like this. Don’t know why. I’ve never cocked up flight dates or arrived somewhere without anything I couldn’t cheaply and easily buy but I spend the week before whipping the drawer open periodically and eyeballing the passports to check they haven’t disappeared.

I always have a horrible intrusive thought queuing up for security that I’ve forgotten to put knickers on and they’ll see on the body scanner thing. I have never in all my adult life forgot to put knickers on.

DH is a very laissez-faire ‘ooh isn’t it an adventure’ type of person who doesn’t think things like checking carry on restrictions or researching how to get from the airport ate important so I think it sends me into hyper drive because I can’t just loose go and bumble around like he does.

@ColonelRhubarbBikini no knickers! 😆

Yes everytime especially if it's abroad there is just so much to plan and think about its a lot of money and there's just a lot of pressure for it to be great I feel the same before Christmas

Oh and Paris is fucking immense. If a bit of stress is the toll you gotta pay to get there it’s worth it. Have an amazing time!

You might even find that once everything you can control has been organised you can start to relax and look forward to it. Paris is fab.

Probably the most important things you can do are 1) check passports; 2) make sure you have insurance and 3) allow plenty of time to get to the Eurostar/airport. Oh, and don't put anything crucial such as medication in your checked baggage. And make sure you have back-up funds.

A good list helps. I get anxiety so understand this but usually it’s only the day before that mine kicks in

Thank you, kind people.

Yes I do but once I step outside my house into the transport to the airport which is only around a 30 minute drive my worries just disappear as there's nothing I can do about it by then. My only real worry is not sleeping the night before due to excitement. Then I'm really grumpy when I should be happy. If I sleep well I'm on top of the world though. I love holidays!

I thoroughly research before booking as I'm very fussy about where I stay. So far in around 20 years of researching on the Internet for holidays we've never had a bad one

I was going to post something similar. Am going long haul for the first time with kids. I am anxious about things going wrong. In my defence we have a strong history of things going wrong on holiday, I won't upset OP by listing them. I used to be way more relaxed but now I'm anxious based on the past, although I know its irrational as the same things are unlikely to occur. My current repetitive thought is the car breaking down on the way to the airport, that one has never happened yet to us....

Totally understand. Every year when I come back I vow 'never again'....but then I under-estimate the stress and book again. I have mobility and other health issues. I have to be certain there is a loo with grab rails. The stress of not knowing exactly what provision is available makes my health issues worse. It's a 'lose lose' situation. Booked to go to Italy in October. I'm already sg myself!

I always get this @maldivemoment even if I’m really happy to be going, it’s very annoying!

just power through, it will be ok once you get going. I’m usually fine once I’m through security and ready to fly

Sometimes I think I kind of get nice anticipation and anxiety mixed up!