Extreme anxiety over travel plans

[Diamondsforeyes]

This sounds really stupid but I am really very anxious about a proposed trip abroad and all the arrangements that have to be made. I am an anxious person but this is ridiculous that I feel so ill and stressed over it. Its a marvellous opportunity and I know I'm lucky and all that but I'd just rather not go the way I'm feeling right now.
I've had to have a large glass of wine tonight to calm myself down a bit but I don't know what to do.
Sorry if this all sounds a bit trivial but I just need someone to hear and maybe understand what I'm going through.

I'm sorry you feel like this. I'm an anxious traveller who has to travel too much! I really get it. My anxiety builds as the trip gets nearer and the last week before is pretty bad. I would honestly be happy to stay at home for the rest of my life! Part of my anxiety is from being in pain when sitting, which is pretty hard to avoid when travelling!

I think the key is to break things down. Sorry if this is really obvious.

What are you most anxious about? If it is the things to do, make a list! Then prioritise it and plan to do, say, 3 things a day (if you have time of course). Write out the days with their allocated tasks. I find it less overwhelming that way.

If you are anxious about the actual traveling, trial some herbal calming tablets or ask you doctor about diazepam. If you hate flying, and the flight is four hours, get through it 15 mins at a time.

Lists, lists, list for packing! And if disorganised like me, separate lists for toiletries/makeup, medication, etc

Take some familiar things and plan some travel treats - new mini toiletries, a book, magazines, etc

If I am dreading a whole trip, I try to focus a few particular things I'm especially looking forward to doing.

I hear you OP and I understand. I'm a bit the same and only feel less anxious about going away if we get a package holiday where you just book and everything is sorted for you. I still often wish I wasn't going but usually enjoy things and relax when I get there.
I don't think this is trivial because I suffer from anxiety and know what it can do to you, regardless of the reason.

Thank you Mountain. I appreciate your advice. I am trying to arrange for us to travel and meet ds who is abroad already. So I am booking things for everyone and trying to coordinate things.
I'm not nervous about travelling. Its everything beforehand and I get carried away with the what ifs and I know its stupid but I can't get out of this cycle. It applies to me to some extent in everyday life as well, what if etc.
I find it so hard to talk about as well as I know I'm overreacting so feel embarrassed about it. I rang my mother the other day and she basically told me I talk about the same thing every time I speak to her and she's fed up with hearing about it.
Dh just thinks so what. If things go wrong we will deal with it.
I'm ashamed to be like this over something not very important.

And thanks Tarragona

I have a thing about not being late and that's one of my holiday worries. What if we get delayed and miss the flight. Dh gets exasperated with me also when I get like this. He just says, like yours maybe OP, so what, we will get another flight or he says that's what you take out travel insurance for etc. To him it's not a problem and he can't see why it should be for me.
Can your Dh not take over the arrangements Diamonds? Or help you out at least? That's one of my problems trying to control everything and fear of the unknown.