Camping anxiety

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Anyone else suffer with this? We've been having sone trial camp outs in a field down the road from home. It's really nice, quiet, 2 or 3 gates away from a quiet road. Few houses nearby.

But , here I am wide awake as I just can't settle down. The DC are fast asleep, otherwise id just go home. I'm anxious and on edge , and exhausted. I just heard a gate nice, which I assume was one of the animals (went to investigate). I can't wait for morning to come.

I'm hoping I'll feel better on an actual campsite with others. Just me and the DC here.

I hate it. Not much help I suppose. But you've got us.

Thanks. I've got big plans of taking the DC off to a few places next year. Maybe I need to go for a couple of nights this year to see if it's actually something I can do. I have no worries about it, til I'm in bed.

Maybe you'd be happier in a site where there are other people next time. Camping all out on your own is nice but can feel a bit scary. Hope you get some sleep!

Absolutely you will feel better on a real campsite. This doesn't help you tonight but you couldn't pay me to camp in a random field with no one around. It's understandable you are jumpy. Why not just practice camp in your garden or just wait till you get to the campsite? You will be fine there- different problem will be hearing random strangers snoring!

You will definitely feel better and more confident on a campsite where everyone is in the same boat as you!

OP what you've done isn't a practise camp, you've gone straight for varsity level!

There will be more noise on an actual campsite. Are your DC in a pod with you? If so I'd pack ear plugs for next time.

I’ve just had a shitty night in a camper van lol I also wake up easily and don’t find it comfortable. It doesn’t get better on campsites as you do get lots of noises.
Generally, I only do it one night here and there but a camping holiday would break me.

I also think a proper campsite would be better. I would be on edge if I was in a random field with no toilet block.
Make sure you choose a nice site with a shop, clean showers etc.

I think you're being a little bit silly, OP. There aren't any wild animals like bears or mountain lions that can actually harm you in the U.K. so I'm not sure what you're afraid of. Maybe get a more comfortable sleeping pad?

Anxiety is really the same as being "a bit silly" @Highfalutinlootin. Presumably you've never suffered from it.

I've "practice camped " as I'll be taking the 2 small DC alone and I didn't want it to be disastrous. Last time wasn't to bad but this time was off the scale. I'll book a campsite next time. Thanks everyone else.

I don’t think you’re being silly at all OP , it’s totally understandable that you’d feel anxious. I hope you got some sleep and agree that a campsite will be easier

Camping in a field on your own is much more scary than in a campsite! I camp on my own with 2 dcs - never felt scared in a campsite, would be terrified in a field!

Gosh yes. For me, isolated camping is far more anxiety inducing than being on a campsite. There's more noise on a site, but little mystery to it, if that makes sense. I do get nervous going to the loo in the middle of the night, mind you. Always. And we camp a lot.

Thanks everyone, my phone was at 17% battery when I posted, and died after I posted this morning. Sonething I need to sort out as it was fully charged at 5pm.

I don't mind the animal noises , I know what they are! The field is Where we keep the animals so are there daily, and we're all used to nature wees. I don't think the heat helped, I felt a bit claustrophobic zipped into the bedroom with 2 further doors to the front.

I understand the anxiety and I camp every year. We go to wooded campsites which I feel a bit more 'safe' in as there are natural boundaries between tents. But I still park the car in a way to 'protect' the tent from someone driving into it which is my biggest (irrational) fear.

I agree with others that being on an occupied camp site it is reassuring to hear other people's normal noises eg walking on gravel path to toilets as it feels less likely a serial killer would risk prowling about there for fear of being seen

We have 'wild' camped in Scotland in a locked motor home and I was scared stiff! (Even with DH with us). Kept thinking someone would break in(armed with axe, of course..)

We camp in a tent in campsites all the time and I'm perfectly happy, even on the odd occasion when DH has been working away so I'm alone with the children.

YANBU to be freaked out in an empty field but I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine on a campsite.

Ooh, and buy a power bank for the phone. We take my DDs every time we go, it's a life saver

I think practicing in the garden would be less scary than in a field. Wild camping is much less comfortable imo than in a campsite. It’s people not animals that make wild camping risky, on a campsite there is safety in numbers. I have camped in the US where there are large wild animals, nothing like a sign saying “grizzly bears were seen here last week” to focus the mind! Worst thing that ever actually happened to us was a skunk invasion.

I love camping but I wouldn't go wild camping with DC. Camping on a site is great.

Book a pitch with an electric hook up and then you can charge your phone etc.

Well yes, its the axe wielding maniac that's the real fear, let's face it. Irrational as it is. Glad its not just me though!

imfree I don't think you're irrational. Go 5* site & you'll have fun. There will be other kids for yours to play with & people for you to chat to.

Thanks, I just thought it would be good to have a practice, and if we had meltdowns in the middle of the night I could just go home. Turns out the DC were fine, just me having a major wobble!