Travel Anxiety

“You must be so excited!!”

I’m actually more terrified that I’m in over my head.

My husband and I are about to embark on our most epic trip yet: Thailand. Most epic in that it’s the longest we’ve ever gone for, the furthest we’ve ever been from home and the most out of our comfort zone.

We’ve been planning the trip for nearly a year now as a celebration of our anniversaries; 10 years married and 20 years together.

As it’s crept up closer to the date, I feel anxious and unprepared. We’ve wateched dozens of YouTube travel videos, eaten tons of Thai food, stocked up on sunscreen and medication and travel necessities. I still feel more anxious than excited.

I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). I’m currently on a waitlist to see a gastroenterologist as a lot of the things I’ve changed (diet, exercise and stress) haven’t helped much and it seems they want to check me for more serious IBD, which would include something like crohns or colitis. My main fear is about food. If I can barely eat here, on a bland food diet, how will I make it through 21 days on a whirlwind tour of Thailand?

My type A personality is definitely showing. I like to say I’m a “recovering” type A. I’ve done a lot of work in the past few years to be more calm and less rigid. I try to plan a bit less and be a bit more spontaneous. Unfortunately, when I stress, I get pulled into the panic cyclone very easily and right now I’m worked up. I’m anxious about 19 hours of flying (blood clots and all) I’m anxious about heat stroke and giant wasps and monkeys and whether everything will fit in the smallest suitcase I’ve ever had for the longest trip I’ve ever taken. I’m worried that I’ve packed too much and that I’ve packed too little.

I realize that I’ve had this anxiety pre-travel before. I’m sure I’m worrying for nothing. I know that worrying is wasted energy and serves no purpose. I’m thinking about all the bad things that could happen but not all the good things and amazing, life-changing things. I’m sure I’ll settle down once I get everything in my suitcase and we get going.

I know I’ll likely come back with so many photos and memories of an amazing trip. I just need to find some calm in the “preparing” storm. What are some of your pre-travel routines or rituals? Are you a planner or a last-minute packer? Have you ever had pre-travel anxiety? Feel free to comment and discuss. For now, bon voyage and happy travels!