Why do I get down/depressed before vacation??

[JESW]

We leave for Disney on sunday. I have begun the last minute preparations. We are fortunate that we go 2x a year so I don't get too stressed out over packing. The entire family is VERY excited about this trip. I have some good dining reservations, including 2 nights out with just dh & I. Kids have mentioned different things they want to do.

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. I also have elderly parents who I spend a lot of time with. I call them just about every day and see them several times a week. There is nothing serious going on with them now health-wise and my brother & SIL do live close so I know they will check on them. I am always afraid that one or both of them will die when I am away. 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.

It is all so crazy but this happens EVERY SINGLE TRIP!!!! Why can't I ever just be happy when I go away?? I am usually ok after we land in Orlando and I do go on to have a good time - and that's what I keep telling myself.

Is pre-vacation depression "normal"????

Anyone else go through this or I am just a nut case??

Jill

 

[jesszac610]

Hey! Another nut job here! I too get those feelings before vacation. I don't like flying and I think that could be why I usually end up with a case of "travel tummy" before we leave and once we arrive at WDW. For me, I know I'll be having a great time at WDW (always do) but it is something that is different and out of the normal routine. This is supposed to be good to be a way on vacation but being creatures of habit, it's hard to steer away from our everyday life. It usually takes me a good 2 days to get out of my vacation "funk" and really start relaxing, then before you know it vaca's done Like I said nutjob for sure lol!!!

 

[Philagoofy]

I've been through this also, not too severe but I do get down before going away. I think it's leaving everything familiar and, as you said, worrying about what may happen. I too feel better once I've arrived.

Hope you have a wonderful trip & that all of your worries amount to nothing!

 

[Tinkerbell424]

It's normal,don't worry! I don't usually have sadness before the trip but like the day I get there.

In october the day we got to our hotel(offsite) I was like mom can we stay a little longer,please?Before our vacation even started,mind you.lol.


Ahhh,I can't wait until May<3

 

[kat3668]

I also have all of those same feelings before a trip!! I thought I was alone! I really cant settle back and have a good time until my two feet are on the ground! We are leaving Sat am for Aruba and I just cannot get happy! I know it is'nt Disney but at least we will be escaping all this cold crappy weather up here in Mass!

 

[newholidayx2]

hope all goes well with your flight

theres a group from Oxford - Bouchers dance who will be performing at EpCot this coming Wed - I believe later in the day

maybe i'll see you down there - i fly down next friday

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I do this too and I've never figured out why. I'm not afraid of flying at all. I sometimes wonder if maybe it's because the thrill is almost gone. Even the anticipation of the trip is as much fun as the actual trip itself. So knowing that I only have one week left is a bit of a downer.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have had those same types of feelings. I remember back in Dec. before a spur of the moment "girl's trip" with mom and sister that I felt down and "weird". DH even asked me what was wrong and wasn't I excited to be going to WDW. I was, but there was also a mix of emotions going on. Once there, I was fine and had a very nice time. Sometimes I extra gloomy when I get home from a trip (almost "disneyed out"). This happened after my first trip when I was 8 too! I had no idea what depression was at the time but I really believe I was "depressed" about having to leave there!
I think many people have similar feelings before and after a trip.
(My Nana did die while I was at WDW in 2006. It was terrible and sad and bitterwsweet this year when we returned exactly a year later.)

 

[willis37862]

I think my sadness comes from thinking about how soon the trip will be over and I will be back at work before I know it and it will be another year before I get to go anywhere again. But once I get to vacation destination it usually goes away and I can enjoy myself.

 

[Beth76]

I have travel anxiety too. I'm not afraid to fly, but I'm afraid of missing the plane. Or missing the connection, or losing luggage, or not having everything that I need. I also worry about the weather. If I'm going on vacation it would suck to rain the whole time.

My last cruise was a 3-nighter with a couple girlfriends. I found myself stressing so much over everything that finally had to tell myself as long as I have my passport, one credit card and a swimsuit I'll be just fine. And those were the only 3 things that I checked when we were ready to leave.

Now my next trip is with the family, so NO WAY will I be that relaxed. I'm going to have to pack for 4 people for 6 nights. Yeah, I'll be worrying about that until we get back.

 

[Darth Cupcake]

I sometimes wonder if maybe it's because the thrill is almost gone. Even the anticipation of the trip is as much fun as the actual trip itself. So knowing that I only have one week left is a bit of a downer.

So true! We leave on Monday, 16th, but you would never know it by talking with me. Additionally, DH and I seem to always have intense fights right before any big trip.

 

[Saphire]

Is pre-vacation depression "normal"????

Anyone else go through this or I am just a nut case??

Jill

You are not alone. It is very normal. I traveled a lot when I was younger and it was the most liberating feeling I have ever felt in my life. Now that I am older, I am all too aware that there are many things that can go wrong. Also, when you are in mid-life, there are so many responsibilites we have, and it is hard to leave it all behind for a little while. I just accept the anxiety and know that one day I will be old and probably carefree to travel again with a light heart, ha-ha. The anticipation is almost always the hardest part for worriers like us. There are just too many scenerios running around in our head. However, once you get there, you will most likely relax and enjoy.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

JESW, I hope you have a nice trip. Maybe you are like me, and you did all the planning? I put pressure on myself without realizing it that I want everything to be perfect. And I'm afraid something will go wrong. I'm just setting myself up so I won't be disappointed when it does happen.

Everything will be fine. Have a great time. And tell Mickey I said hello. Its been so long, he probably doesn't even remember who I am.

 

[Jynohn]

I'm the type that starts worrying as soon as I get there how depressed I'll be when it's time to come home. It starts the minute I get off the plane when I see all those people at the gate in MCO getting ready to leave, and I think to myself, "this time next week that will be me." Then I start the countdown, only 6 days left of vacation, only 5 days left, etc.

Glad I'm not the only crazy one around here!

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

Additionally, DH and I seem to always have intense fights right before any big trip.

OMG! We leave Sunday and DH and I have been fighting like cats and dogs for the last couple days! I know I'm stressed because we're flying out of JFK (which I've never done before) and, we're supposed to be having a nor'easter Sunday...

 

[U2_rocks!]

We leave in a week and I'm so excited I can barely stand it!!!!!

But, underlying that is a sense of anxiety that I can't quite put my finger on. It's been keeping me up at night too! Part of it is that this is my parents' one shot at WDW and I want it to be special for them. I know my Mom doesn't do well with huge crowds, so i've done everything in my power to plan a perfect itinerary and touring plans to help minimize that for her, and also minimize waiting in line (for the kids' sake). Then DH tells me stuff like "your plans are all well and good, but if I wake up one morning and don't feel like doing anything, what then?". So he's stressing me out even more!

I can roll with some punches, but I know I will be miserable if the plans keep getting chucked out the window, or of things really get screwed up badly (flights, luggage). I know, I should just relax and trust that we will have fun no matter what. But I don't know when we will next get to travel, and this is a really special trip for us. I can't just say "oh well, there's always next time".

 

[FortForever]

I'm going to revive this old thread because it came up on a Google search of "why do I always get depressed before vacation?"

Glad to see I'm not alone. I have horrible anxiety/depression for every trip we make. I suppose the anxiety is over everything that could go wrong, both on the trip, and at home. I hate feeling like this before every trip. Most people are all excited about vacations. All I feel is upset. I know I'll feel better once we get there. I don't do the "countdown to over" thing. I usually enjoy the moments while there.

Even so, the minute we're home, I'm back into the post-vacation depression. Sometimes I think I shouldn't plan vacations at all, just jump in the car and take off to wherever. It would save me so much anxiety and depressing feelings. I want to be excited about our upcoming 2 week trip to Disney. Everyone else is. I feel so abnormal.

 

[anniemae]

I'm going to revive this old thread because it came up on a Google search of "why do I always get depressed before vacation?"

Glad to see I'm not alone. I have horrible anxiety/depression for every trip we make. I suppose the anxiety is over everything that could go wrong, both on the trip, and at home. I hate feeling like this before every trip. Most people are all excited about vacations. All I feel is upset. I know I'll feel better once we get there. I don't do the "countdown to over" thing. I usually enjoy the moments while there.

Even so, the minute we're home, I'm back into the post-vacation depression. Sometimes I think I shouldn't plan vacations at all, just jump in the car and take off to wherever. It would save me so much anxiety and depressing feelings. I want to be excited about our upcoming 2 week trip to Disney. Everyone else is. I feel so abnormal.

I think its common. I always worry before we leave. Usually okay once we are on the road.

For the depression, my theory is that the time leading up to the vacation is part of the fun. Talking about the trip, planning, shopping for items you need on the trip etc. Once the trip is a few days away, I usually get a "let down" feeling. I will be excited still, but a little depressed that it will be over soon. Same thing with Christmas. Love the weeks heading up to it, the shopping, the parties, the holiday feeling, decorating the tree etc. When Christmas is a few days away, I know it's all going to be over and it's a little depressing.

 

[pookybean]

i get the same way, not so much depressed but the anxiety. im not scared to fly, but its making sure everything is right before we leave. Getting all the bills paid so there is nothing due, making sure the house is clean so we don't come back to a mess, etc....

im a single mom and i thought it was because i dont have a husband to bounce things off of or to split tasks with. Listening to some of you say you fight with your DH's....I guess not! lol Maybe its just being a grown up and knowing everything that could go wrong and having responsibilities. It doesnt help that the kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement! Thankfully the second we cross under that disney sign....phew....it all fades away!

 

[MIGrandma]

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.