Why do I get down/depressed before vacation??

[mrsstats]

Glad to see I am not alone. Don't understand why I get this way. Not afraid to fly. Maybe it has something to do with being away from home on 9-11 and hating that feeling that my family was in NY and I was stuck in California.

 

[JenniBarra]

I don't get depressed before vacations, but I can definitely relate to the worry/stress angle! There is a combination of the prep work to go away, along with concerns about things happening at home while I am away. What does not help matters is that, on my trip before last, one of those horrible things you hope will not happen while you are away, happened. I have also had bad things happen while I am in my prep window. As a result, "vacation mode" often doesn't kick in for me until I am so far into the journey to my vacation destination.

 

[Snowysmom]

I tend to feel anxious before going on vacation. I enjoy the planning and anticipation. Also I get depressed about getting back to "real life" after the vacation. I have found that if I have another vacation in the planning stages then it is a bit easier. I have 2 vacations planned for 2018 already so once I get back from the one coming up shortly, I can continue planning for 2018. I do enjoy the time while I am on vacation which is good.

 

[FortForever]

I don't feel depressed before vacation, but definitely feel a lot of anxiety. To the point of not even wanting to go a day or two before we are scheduled to leave for a vacation. Even to the point of crying over it. I want everything to be taken care of before the trip, as a PP mentioned getting the bills paid up, cleaning the house, catching up the laundry, etc.

But. I know it will all go away once we actually get in the car and leave for vacation. It happens that way every time.

This perfectly describes me! I've never backed out of a Disney vacation, but I have had anxiety severe enough to cancel other trips at the last minute. One, the morning we were leaving. Not of it involves flying, always driving, so not that at all.

Sometimes my anxiety will return the first night of vacation, and I'll think about going home, but never follow through with that. Always fine from day #2 on. I do have prescription anxiety medication. I don't have to use it everyday, but make up for that with full doses when vacations are closing in on me.

It's extremely helpful, in these days of internet, to see that it happens to many people. I honestly used to think I was the only person this happened to and considered myself a nutcase.

 

[ols386]

In case anyone is interested, this is a zombie thread.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

One of the poster revived this thread from 2007, but i think it's still relevant 10 years later. Vacation is a break from routine. We go through our daily lives adapting and tailoring our activities to that routine. It's easy to understand why a break from routine may cause some anxiety. Everyone reacts to change differently. Accept your feelings as normal for you and do your best to be the make the most out of this moment/vacation. Each moment whether during your normal routine or on vacation is precious moment in time that should be enjoyed to its fullest. It's easier said than done. Believe I know from my personal experience.

Another thing, WDW allows us to escape from our normal routine and live a short time in a world of pixie dust. It is easy to get caught up in the pixie dust And then get a big slap in the face of reality (routine) followed by the post-wdw blues. My recommendation is to find a little personal pixie dust within your normal routine.

 

[Spencer Wright]

So why am I down/depressed? I always think about the things that could happen when we are gone. For one - I hate to fly. There is a chance of snow the day we leave. I am afraid that we won't get out of Boston - or if we do we will have bad turbulence the entire flight down.

We also have a 19 year old cat and I am afraid she will die when we are gone. We also have other animals but they are not as old.

You are very far from alone. I go to WDW once about every year to two years and otherwise don't really fly. I get EXTREME anxiety that something will go horribly wrong in the airport or with the flight and I will end up missing chunks of the trip. However, I actually used this board for tips this year. I found if you arrive early, take your time, and find something to occupy yourself in the airport you should be fine. Also, I find if you totally ignore the weather until a couple days prior to your flight you should be okay. I had a flight to the Caribbean once in February (here in Philadelphia) and you know how certain times of year a blizzard is always right around the corner (per the news). I am sure this is especially true in Boston.

I have an 18 year old cat, and get concerned, but find that they are perfectly relaxed when you are gone. However, someone was staying in my house the entire time I was gone. I have two four year old tabby's and was much more concerned about them. Do you have someone popping in at least once a day?

 

[Realfoodfans]

I've never felt pre holiday anxiety like I am this trip - 10 days to departure. I think it's because we've had this booked for 18 months - huge anticipation by the grandchildren- no summer holiday this year - I've been the sole organiser & booker - and now my elderly Mum is hospitalised and Dad doesn't manage well on his own (he's nearly 91 and partially sighted). I almost wish we weren't going but fighting to remain positive for everyone else.