anyone get anxious before they travel?

[Jenn1116]

One time I put a note on my VCR that said "please leave my tape if you steal my VCR". I had taped my favorite shows and I didn't want to miss them!

I guess I'm not so crazy after all!!

 

[LisaZoe]

I worry mostly the morning of travel so I usually don't get much sleep. Typically it's the usual concerns about forgetting something important. Since I've slightly obsessive/compulsive in my planning, I've never actually forgotten anything I'd have needed on the trip. I've learned to use my sleeplessness on the day of travel to my advantage and clean the house so it's neat for our return... plus I'd more quickly notice if anyone had been in the house moving things around. Also, since we have 2 cats we have a friend or neighbor come by a few times during our vacations to make sure they have food and water and I don't want them to see how messy our home can get. LOL

I start worrying again on the trip home... mostly that as we turn onto our block I'll see a burned out shell where our home should be. I've had that issue since I first moved out on my own and have no specific reason to worry because we never had a house fire in my childhood nor have I had one as an adult... but that concern lingers.

 

[Jenn1116]

I used to have nightmares as a child imaging the house caught fire. And funny you should bring it up because just last night, while listening to the people in the apt. above me, I imagined what I'd try to rescue should a fire break out. It doesn't help that I have a wall heater, and it freaks me out!

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess you can count me in with extreme worriers. Went I went to DL in February, I left a note taped to my TV that said "Please don't steal from a single mom. I'll pray for you." DD4 and I have only been living alone for 6 months, so I was really worried about being robbed while we were gone.

I get worried about traveling, but after years of flying I can break each part of the flight up into manageable "chunks", so I just go through each chunk.

The main chunk used to consist of reading a Cosmo, which worked b/c school breaks always seemed to end as a new Cosmo came out. But I don't like Cosmo anymore and my trips aren't that long, plus who wants to read a Cosmo next to a 3 year old?

But it's still...get to airport, check luggage, wander around get coffee if wanted get food get water if wanted, get to gate to wait, get on board and settled, read in flight mag and catalog for fun spendy things if they have it, listen to flight attendants while doing so, finish reading as beverages are getting served, that takes awhile hum dee dum, have beverages, second round of bev service, have second round if wanted, be annoyed that the non-peanut snacks always have high fructose corn syrup in them, then for my shorter flights it's time to put seatbelts back on and get ready for descent, descent, landing, taxiing, we're there!

As each one is done with, I'm that much closer.

Of course, on the international flights I took that was a bit more difficult, especially b/c the lady going home to Ireland decided to drink all night and play her guitar while regaling us with x rated stories of her boyfriend. So I couldn't sleep.

I hope the OP doesn't have that experience!!!! (or anything similar. I mean, what would the chances be of you having the same experience? though someone I know went to Ireland a different time than I did and had the same experience, so let's just hope that that lady isn't traveling when you're traveling, or that she has calmed down a bit in the intervening 13 years, LOL)

 

[Yzerbear19]

I normally am a little nervous before trips, especially those where we are driving somewhere because there are a lot of crazy people on the road. I worry about getting stranded somewhere due to mechanical problems or weather related issues. I worry about accidents, getting lost, etc. I'm a little nervous for our upcoming trip only because it will be 5 hours on the plane and I've never flown that far before. So I'm a little nervous, but I usually think that its a good thing to be a little nervous.

 

[avalon451]

I get so anxious, too. But I try to get a handle on it. Here's what I do:

I keep a list around of things that make me worry. Then every once in awhile I sit down with it and think of things I can do to prevent or help it. Like, make a list of things you will check just before you leave the house: faucets, iron, etc. What to do on the plane? Come up with ideas of things you can do; find a good book, bring a word puzzle magazine or whatever you like to do, bring or borrow a portable DVD player and a couple good movies.

By making a list and coming up with possible solutions, you're being positive and showing yourself that you can control some outcomes. Those things you can't control, you just have to practice smiling and saying, "Hey, I did my best and I will make the best of whatever gets thrown at me."

I planned like crazy for our first trip two weeks ago. My oldest daughter got very sick and we spent a lot of time in the hotel room with her. However, we just "breathed!" and let it go. We made her as comfortable as possible, smiled at her, brought her stuff, told her none of it mattered as long as she got well. She did perk up most days and spend some time at the parks, and because of our positive attitude, it wasn't a total loss and she has some great memories.

One more thing, before you go: be sure and eat healthy and get lots of rest and water BEFORE you go. Spend time each day, the week before, to just sit by yourself and breathe and relax for a few minutes, and think about how everything can go absolutely fabulously. Postive mental images really help!

I hope you have a wonderful trip! Think positive!

 

[grizbuzz]

I was given the following advice a couple of weeks ago, and I think it's been quite helpful.

Give yourself 1/2 hour a day to to worry. Go ahead and write things down, go through scenarios, figure out contingency plans, sort out how you'd deal with things should all your worries come true, whatever... And after that 1/2 hour, STOP. No more worrying for the day. You have to distract yourself if worries pop up again, 'cause worrying time is DONE.

Only a very limited time of worrying is actually productive. After that it's just avoiding living in the moment and not good for you.

I'm still working on mastering this. But in theory, makes a lot of sense.

 

[mommaU4]

12 days to go and counting...

getting anxious

krayzee thoughts like what am i gonna do for 11 hours on some plane, what if it falls out of the sky - what if i get really ill on holiday, what if i have a panic attack... etc?

anyone else get like this.

Ugh, I worry a lot too! I think it's only natural when you've planned and saved for something for a long time to worry that something will go wrong. But most of the time it doesn't and if it does, well, you cross that bridge when you come to it.

My biggest worry is one of us getting sick just before trip time. And it has happened before. You just give everyone vitamins, make them wash their hands a LOT, and hope for the best.

Of course, on the international flights I took that was a bit more difficult, especially b/c the lady going home to Ireland decided to drink all night and play her guitar while regaling us with x rated stories of her boyfriend. So I couldn't sleep.

Ooooh, lucky you! In-flight entertainment. That's so rare these days, especially since most airlines did away with the movie.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I worry mostly the morning of travel so I usually don't get much sleep. Typically it's the usual concerns about forgetting something important. Since I've slightly obsessive/compulsive in my planning, I've never actually forgotten anything I'd have needed on the trip. I've learned to use my sleeplessness on the day of travel to my advantage and clean the house so it's neat for our return... plus I'd more quickly notice if anyone had been in the house moving things around. Also, since we have 2 cats we have a friend or neighbor come by a few times during our vacations to make sure they have food and water and I don't want them to see how messy our home can get. LOL

I start worrying again on the trip home... mostly that as we turn onto our block I'll see a burned out shell where our home should be. I've had that issue since I first moved out on my own and have no specific reason to worry because we never had a house fire in my childhood nor have I had one as an adult... but that concern lingers.

I also don't sleep well before I fly; I'm worried about the plane crashing or whatnot. I also try to clean the house, not because anyone (legitimately) will be in the house, but because I want it clean for my return!
I have that same bizarre fear. It's slightly irrational but also not.

I was given the following advice a couple of weeks ago, and I think it's been quite helpful.

Give yourself 1/2 hour a day to to worry. Go ahead and write things down, go through scenarios, figure out contingency plans, sort out how you'd deal with things should all your worries come true, whatever... And after that 1/2 hour, STOP. No more worrying for the day. You have to distract yourself if worries pop up again, 'cause worrying time is DONE.

Only a very limited time of worrying is actually productive. After that it's just avoiding living in the moment and not good for you.

I'm still working on mastering this. But in theory, makes a lot of sense.

Hmm...I'm a worrier too. I should try this idea.

This is kind of crazy: on my August 2007 trip to WDW, before I was gonna go I had this creepy feeling like the plane was going to get hijacked. Like, I was scared and I was apprehensive about getting on the plane. But I went anyways (hey, I had to get to WDW somehow!) and I was flying JetBlue. I'm watching the little tv in front of me as I'm flying and the news channel is showing a plane being hijacked (in Turkey....all ended well)! On the tv on the plane! I was freaking out! But, the ironic thing about that was I was a much less nervous flier AFTER that bizarre experience. I'm getting a bit nervous about my flight in 2 weeks though...it's a lot longer than the 2.5 hour NYC-MCO trip.

 

[Wendi2000]

I'm a total worrier... in life, not just in travel! I'm not too bad with Disneyland trips because we go there enough that it's not that big of a deal I guess, but I have severe panic attacks before WDW trips... I didn't have them the year before last though, I guess because I knew what to expect a bit more and I was comfortable with everything. But last time I did again because it was just Max and me and I probably shouldn't have spent so much money on a trip when we're so poor!!! It turned out totally fine to go without a helper along and we didn't have any financial catastrophes that I would've needed that money for anyway.

I get so anxious before I travel. I don't fear that something will go wrong but I perseverate on forgetting something as if where ever I am going doesn't have a store or access to typical goods. Its completely irrational but its how I roll.

Um yeah, like maybe a camera, Jenny??? Still waiting for you to get a cable for that one you picked up at that "store"! LOL Actually, one of the things that keeps me awake the night before we travel is thinking about the extra things I need to pack or do in the morning... silly, because I KNOW I can buy deoderant or toothpaste no matter where we go!

 

[21yankees]

12 days to go and counting...

getting anxious

krayzee thoughts like what am i gonna do for 11 hours on some plane, what if it falls out of the sky - what if i get really ill on holiday, what if i have a panic attack... etc?

anyone else get like this.

My husband does (though he won't admit it). Whenever we have to travel long distances (ie more than 3 hours) his stomach starts giving him problems. We have missed an airplane due to his anxiety. But he won't admit to it, so I try to adjust our schedule for his stomach.

steph

 

[avalon451]

Sometimes our fears are irrational-- but it helps me sometimes to remember that statistically, flying is much much safer than driving. And I drive every day without a second thought.

 

[kylieh]

I have a complete fear of flying, and I've done heaps of flights, probably 300+ sectors, alone, before my DD was born. A bit hesitant of flying but nothing like now.

DH is going to LV next week for a conference. I was able to get the same week off work, and MIL said she would have a 5-night sleepover party with DD5 and her cousin, but due to a prior committment I had I couldn't take the same flight, leaving a day later. As I was about to pay for my flight, DH says "you know, you will be flying by yourself to LV". At this stage I went into a complete panic attack, cancelled my booking, and was ill from the thought.

I gave up a DH & I trip to LV due to my fear of flying!! And I know it's irrational.

I'm working on visualisation for my trip later this year. I'll be flying with DH so I should be ok. It's just by myself I can't cope.

I am very concerned too about DD getting sick before we go. She tends to come down with some type of bug every 4 weeks or so, so I am really hoping that her timing will be right and won't have any issues. She has missed out on a lot due to her being sick so I don't want any illness get in her way of a good time.

On the planning front I obsess with getting the details. I was worse 20 years ago. I do overplan now but can cope generally if things don't go to plan. When ever I go away I fill cosmetic bags etc the night before and use them in the morning like I am on holiday. That way I don't really forget them!

 

[julieannbabe]

I get worried about traveling, but after years of flying I can break each part of the flight up into manageable "chunks", so I just go through each chunk.

The main chunk used to consist of reading a Cosmo, which worked b/c school breaks always seemed to end as a new Cosmo came out. But I don't like Cosmo anymore and my trips aren't that long, plus who wants to read a Cosmo next to a 3 year old?

But it's still...get to airport, check luggage, wander around get coffee if wanted get food get water if wanted, get to gate to wait, get on board and settled, read in flight mag and catalog for fun spendy things if they have it, listen to flight attendants while doing so, finish reading as beverages are getting served, that takes awhile hum dee dum, have beverages, second round of bev service, have second round if wanted, be annoyed that the non-peanut snacks always have high fructose corn syrup in them, then for my shorter flights it's time to put seatbelts back on and get ready for descent, descent, landing, taxiing, we're there!

As each one is done with, I'm that much closer.

Of course, on the international flights I took that was a bit more difficult, especially b/c the lady going home to Ireland decided to drink all night and play her guitar while regaling us with x rated stories of her boyfriend. So I couldn't sleep.

I hope the OP doesn't have that experience!!!! (or anything similar. I mean, what would the chances be of you having the same experience? though someone I know went to Ireland a different time than I did and had the same experience, so let's just hope that that lady isn't traveling when you're traveling, or that she has calmed down a bit in the intervening 13 years, LOL)

lets hope not!

thanks - good idea break the flight down into manageable chunks. every hour - i will just try to think i am that much nearer to the good ol' USA!.

xjx

 

[julieannbabe]

I get so anxious, too. But I try to get a handle on it. Here's what I do:

I keep a list around of things that make me worry. Then every once in awhile I sit down with it and think of things I can do to prevent or help it. Like, make a list of things you will check just before you leave the house: faucets, iron, etc. What to do on the plane? Come up with ideas of things you can do; find a good book, bring a word puzzle magazine or whatever you like to do, bring or borrow a portable DVD player and a couple good movies.

By making a list and coming up with possible solutions, you're being positive and showing yourself that you can control some outcomes. Those things you can't control, you just have to practice smiling and saying, "Hey, I did my best and I will make the best of whatever gets thrown at me."

I planned like crazy for our first trip two weeks ago. My oldest daughter got very sick and we spent a lot of time in the hotel room with her. However, we just "breathed!" and let it go. We made her as comfortable as possible, smiled at her, brought her stuff, told her none of it mattered as long as she got well. She did perk up most days and spend some time at the parks, and because of our positive attitude, it wasn't a total loss and she has some great memories.

One more thing, before you go: be sure and eat healthy and get lots of rest and water BEFORE you go. Spend time each day, the week before, to just sit by yourself and breathe and relax for a few minutes, and think about how everything can go absolutely fabulously. Postive mental images really help!

I hope you have a wonderful trip! Think positive!

sorry to hear about your daughter. thank you so much for your kind words.

deep breathing all the way!

xjx

 

[julieannbabe]

I was given the following advice a couple of weeks ago, and I think it's been quite helpful.

Give yourself 1/2 hour a day to to worry. Go ahead and write things down, go through scenarios, figure out contingency plans, sort out how you'd deal with things should all your worries come true, whatever... And after that 1/2 hour, STOP. No more worrying for the day. You have to distract yourself if worries pop up again, 'cause worrying time is DONE.

Only a very limited time of worrying is actually productive. After that it's just avoiding living in the moment and not good for you.

I'm still working on mastering this. But in theory, makes a lot of sense.

thanks - it does make sense just to 'worry' for 30 mins each day.

how do i stop these butterflies in my stomach though?

xjx

 

[DLovinFam]

Sometimes our fears are irrational-- but it helps me sometimes to remember that statistically, flying is much much safer than driving. And I drive every day without a second thought.

Yep! That's why I was saying that I probably *should be more anxious when we drive then when flying! I can't help it though.

 

[mousiemom]

honey, my dh worries about everything, i worry about nothing so it works really well. i start planning my trips a year in advance so i try not to forget anything but this time we are flying and we've never been to DL only wdw. i have 52 days now. i do get very anxious about the trips!!!
so much fun!
mousiemom

 

[nunzia]

I worry all the time about everything (ask my daughter about the campus police knocking on her door because she forgot to call when she got there)
Anyway..I hate to fly, and hadn't flown for 20 years (long story how THAT came about) anyway..our best friends own the vet practice where DH works and they were taking the whole staff and families to DLR for a treat. The date? Oct 11, 2001. Right..so 1 month after 9/11 I am preparing to fly for the first time in 20 years..and there are military everywhere with guns..etc. Sooo..my 18 year old son had a wallet with a chain, and we tell him..you can't take that chain. He takes off the chain and guess what? Leaves the wallet behind also. Which we don't discover until we hit the airport in El Paso..1 1/2 hours away..so we have to lie saying he's under 18 and has no ID to get him on the plane. Then we have our SIL mail us the lisence for the flight back becasue no way can we get away with that stunt in LAX. Naturally our town doesn't have overnight, so we are freaking out the whole trip waiting for the ID to arrive and planning on renting a car and driving back if it doesn't. Well, 1 hour before we leave for the airport if finally shows up. That was a stressful one! And yet..we had fun and it still all worked out.
I am already worrying for this trip ie..my son in Denver not making it to Raton on time to catch the train, our car breaking down or something on our way to Alb to get on train, train being SUPER late, lots of etc etc etc..but..we will stil have a great time.