Aibu to feel stressed and anxious before a holiday?

[maria2bela1]

I know a bit of stress is normal, but I’m feeling totally overwhelmed. Mum of 3 here, I take on the whole bulk of organising and last 2 nights I haven’t slept properly. Is this normal? I’m also a bit OCD about everything which means I put pressure on myself to make sure everything is organised. Today I’m feeling a bit lightheaded, surely this level of stress can’t be normal?

That’s how I have felt before my last few family holidays. I have basically given up on the idea now, no plans to do any more.

What helped on the last one was just repeating the mantra that it wasn’t my job to make sure everyone was happy, that was their own responsibility. Also delegating specific tasks. Lists, but also focussing on essentials. Things can be bought, or coped without.

Hope you manage to get away safely and have fun.

Write yourself a packing list, ensure you have your flight and hotel details and just go and enjoy yourself!

Having it written down will help alleviate your anxiety hopefully

I think totally normal. This was me for years. But now the kids are 10 and 8 and we’ve done it a few times it feels much more manageable and less stressful

I am having this tonight because we have a very big holiday, Japan. Like you I did all the organizing. I feel very very pressured. I don't usually feel that for holidays in Europe though, feels like there is Jess riding on it. As in, for example, less money.

I used to be like like this for years and years of holidays and ended up sick on most of them as the stress before just all caught up the minute we landed, so my take on holiday became it’s not worth the stress so I go away alone now, and it’s bliss!

Flying to Vietnam tomorrow and my anxiety is through the roof. To be honest I get like this wherever we go but for some reason I’m feeling it worse than ever this time. I feel so guilty as it’s a trip of a lifetime and I am obviously very lucky to be going, but I feel so anxious, butterflies, I feel homesick and we haven’t even left yet! I just need to tell myself that I always feel like this yet always end up having a fantastic time, and I’m sure this will be no different. Hope the same happens for you and you enjoy your holiday, but you are definitely not alone.

Oh absolutely yes. Dh loves holidays and we are in a good financial position so we might go a few times a year. He absolutely will not do a package thing so it's always complicated. Maybe 2 or 3 different accommodations, car hire etc and a multitude of things that can go wrong. He organises most of it but organising the kids tends to fall to me. We have had so many things go wrong over the years, minor enough things, but it's like there is always a drama. I have such a huge sense of relief when home. I do in theory love to travel but it's so complicated with kids.

Yes, both before the holiday and during it!