Do you ever get the pre-vacation jitters? How do you deal with them
Completely stressed and unbearable to live with 2 weeks before we go. How do I deal?
. I have standard packing list templates that I've compiled over years of travelling that can be then customized (usually by removing things, not adding) for each trip;
. I put a few laundry baskets aside into which we toss stuff that we don't normally need for the next little while at least 2 weeks before we go (longer if we're going overseas). Things like: sewing kit, travel sized toiletries, bathing suits, etc.;
. I have a wire in basket into which go all documents, tickets, passports, etc. as we acquire them;
. I have a first aid kit that I check contents of 1 month before we go to replenish or refresh anything in it. This kit has been invaluable over the years and I've used something from it each and every trip. It covers everything from different types of bandages (regular, blister, burns), scissors, tweezers, OTC medication, itch cream, after bite, sunscreen, after sun cream, bug spray, antibiotic cream, Immodium/Pepto Bismol, etc. I've added to it over the years. It really gives me peace of mind that I can cover off all minor ailments. DH is always amazed when some minor thing happens and I pull out the kit and say "I have something for that". He once got a bunch of little tiny bits of rock and coral stuck in the bottom of his feet from a particularly rocky section of the water and I was able to get all of them out with tweezers, used the antibiotic cream that had an analgesic in it and had the appropriate bandages for it. The next day he was fine and had no pain or problems walking.
. DH and I grill each other 2-3 days before we leave - "do you have..." type questions. We pack together and go through everything. We mentally walk through each aspect of the trip and make sure that we have the appropriate type of clothes and whatever else is required. While we wait for the limo to take us to the airport, we do a final grill (usually of the "do you have your passport and tickets - show me" variety) of each other.
. we make sure that we have contact numbers for credit card companies and bank in case of loss, number of the TA in case of issues, family numbers and any other emergency numbers.
Over the years, we've learned to only worry about the next leg of the trip not the whole thing as you can't deal with all of the potential uncertainties. We may have planned in advance in principle for what might happen if, for example, we miss a connecting flight, if we miss the cruise, etc. but once you've started on the journey, you can only worry about the next thing. So while at home, we only worry about whether the airport limo gets there on time. At the airport, we only worry about how long it takes to get through customs and immigration. In the gate, we worry about whether the plane leaves on time. And so on. We don't necessarily actually
worry about it, but we only let ourselves think about the next phase because there's too many options if you try to think about all of it. Once you know that the next leg or phase is fine, it begins to remove a lot of stress and uncertainty about the whole trip and then we can determine what we might do if the next phase is a problem. We feel in control and not overwhelmed by the potential problems.
We also remind ourselves that we're not going to the Antarctic. In general, if you've forgotten something, you'll be able to buy it while you're away. As long as you have your passport and a credit card, you'll be fine. If you lose your credit card, because you have the emergency call numbers of the firms and bank, you'll be able to access funds.
My biggest stress is getting things done at work. So I make sure everyone knows what to do while I'm away, make sure there's sufficient backup or coverage when I'm gone, make sure everyone has access to relevant information, and communicate as early as possible that I will be away so that there are no last minute emergencies that I have to take care of.
It gets really bad the day we leave. Is the oven off? That plugged in video game system - that's about 98% likely to burn down the house in our absence, right? And are all the doors locked? What if the roof leaks?
What if one of the cats gets sick while I'm away? What if they miss me? What if they don't miss me? What if someone tries to deliver a package and we're not there and it gets sent back (why this should happen I have no idea but I stress about it)? What if I've left the iron on (which probably was never used before we left but who knows - maybe it turned itself on)? What if my friends lose the key to our house and the cats starve? Endless stupid questions and worries. Usually they all float away as soon as I get on the plane. If you've properly planned, have to-do lists, and do mental checks none of these things generally happen. But it's a ritual that I have to go through.
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