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Holiday anxiety

(78 Posts)
morethan2 Thu 08-Sept-16 07:29:45

I wonder if anyone else suffers from this? I love holidays. I feel really privlaged to be able to go abroad. It's somthing that was unobtainable to me as a child. A holiday was blackberry picking or if we were lucky a day trip to the nearest seaside (New Brighton) for a few hours. I think it was triggered a few years ago when we missed our flight while sitting eating in the terminal. Then a year later I burnt my arm just before going. We still went but I couldn't swim and dressing needed changing regularly. Then a few months ago the day before our much planned trip to tour Greece my husband trapped a nerve and all we could do was sit by the pool. I'm due out on Sunday to our regular village in Greece and I found out yesterday that they've had terrible storms, cars in the sea, floods and the airport temporily closed. Now it'll probably be cleaned up before we go but I just feel jinks and my anxiety is sky high. I'm worried about the milkman, getting to the airport and all manner of stupid things.

Anya Thu 08-Sept-16 07:36:13

What a catalogue of disasters morethan grin

However, it sounds as if you have chosen a good time this year as the bad weather has preceeded your visit so is unlikely to strike again. And if you're worried about the milkman hmm then invite him along too

Bon voyage.

rosesarered Thu 08-Sept-16 08:16:31

I know one or two people who always have holiday anxiety ( they are fine once at the destination.). Keep calm, you are not jinxed, there is no such thing, just bad luck for the things that have happened, the sort of things that happen to anyone.?

Greyduster Thu 08-Sept-16 08:27:32

Morethan I am another who worries for England before we go on hols. If There isn't anything to worry about I'll invent something! After what you have had to deal with this year, I wouldn't have thought anything would have phased you. Take it in your stride. When you get there you'll wonder what you worried about. Hope you have a wonderful relaxing holiday.

NanaandGrampy Thu 08-Sept-16 08:38:02

Crikey , I can see why you might feel anxious Morethan.

Maybe it would help to look at each thing you're anxious about and make a decision about whether its worth the worry .

For instance , if you forgot to pay the milkman would the world cease to spin? No....so write that one off.smile

I doubt you will ever miss a flight again by eating a meal...so really that one could go to.

If the clean up isn't done ..... then what?

If you can dismiss the stuff you can't change or which you don't control maybe it will help bring your anxiety levels down and help you enjoy the run up to your hols.

Have a wonderful time xx

sunseeker Thu 08-Sept-16 08:38:12

I too get anxious about going on holiday (never used to!), to the extent that I sometimes think about just not going! I worry about getting to the airport on time (it's only 30 minutes away), will the taxi turn up on time, will my flight be delayed/cancelled, what to take (I usually pack, unpack and repack at least 3 times), on the occasions I travel alone I worry I won't find anyone to talk to and will spend the whole holiday sitting alone! Once I get there everything is, of course, fine!

Mildred Thu 08-Sept-16 08:43:08

morethan I have the same worries too never use too. Have a good time.

Mildred Thu 08-Sept-16 09:09:11

This is one of the things I love about GN, that other people worry like me, that makes me feel I am not alone. Mr M doesn't worry very calm, but misses enormous signs and can often be found in the wrong queue. Also on one trip to Rome we only just made it to the airport due to road works we had to run to the departure gates when he announced he needed the toilet.

Granarchist Thu 08-Sept-16 09:09:46

Practical suggestion here. Pop off to GP - explain all - dont downplay it - ask for something just for a couple of days before you go. Diazapam is brilliant. I have used it prior to 3 weddings and 2 funerals and cannot recommend it highly enough. Just takes the edge of anxiety. Actually even knowing you have it as a back up seems to have the same effect as actually taking it! Good luck and enjoy your holiday.

Alima Thu 08-Sept-16 11:19:27

You are not alone morethan2. We have just booked a cottage in Dorset for next summer. Already anxious about the trains, the cottage agents as we have not used them before. Worried about the cats, doing an on-line shop and anything else I can fine to worry about. Not too sure why you are worried about the milkman, maybe he has separation issues? Have a wonderful time, everything will be clean and fresh after the rain.

tanith Thu 08-Sept-16 11:23:48

Hands up! I've always suffered from it for all the reasons others have named here. I'm now using my bad hip (on waiting list for replacement) for not going abroad or visiting my son when I could probably manage with a struggle if I really wanted to but the anxiety sometimes over rides everything.. sad At least I got to see them recently as they came over to us but still in my head I feel a total wuss.

chelseababy Thu 08-Sept-16 14:46:33

I'm now anxious about getting to Gatwick for 4am on Monday. There are usually direct trains but due to engineering will have to bus or tube across London. I went to GP before we went to NZ and got some Diazepam as I was worried about the flights. I think if you are a worried you just are. I hear there have been storms in Corfu which is where we are going......

tanith Thu 08-Sept-16 15:35:05

chelseababy could you not travel the day before and get a cheap night in a hotel at Gatwick they do some cheap deals and you could relax and just get the hopper to the terminal?

annsixty Thu 08-Sept-16 16:31:16

My GP has always been happy to give me 5 Diazepam to travel and it does take the edge off the angst. I need the 5mgs, all in my head I suppose but it works for me.

Granarchist Thu 08-Sept-16 17:16:19

Glad I'm not the only one who uses a little something to help!! Chelseababy we usually fly early from Gatwick and always stay the night before. There is a Premier Inn and a cheaper holiday Inn - and I bet there are B&Bs as well. It is SO worth it -

ginny Thu 08-Sept-16 17:35:26

I wouldn't say I get anxious about holidays but a couple of days before I start to feel as I I don't want / can't be bothered to go. Once I am on my way I am happy to be going. However 10 days is really enough for me Not sure how I will be next month when we are away for double that time.

Luckygirl Thu 08-Sept-16 18:01:21

I have just come back from holiday - I almost did not go as I was so tired after the house move and feeling quite depressed. But the break was a real tonic - I had a wonderful time and have come back refreshed in a big way! smile

chelseababy Thu 08-Sept-16 19:46:37

Thanks for the suggestion 're staying night before at Gatwick. Will see what's available but my mum lives near so could stay at hers except it inconveniences her (shes 88) if we get up at 3:30. Could stay with my brother but then mum would be put out! Thats why we thought the train would be simplest.

morethan2 Fri 09-Sept-16 07:17:31

Thanks for your responses. My husband was given diazapan when he trapped a nerve before our holiday earlier in the year. It's a really low dose. I've been told to just take one in the evening between now and Sunday. Your mostly right Greyduster but an odd thing happened last week I needed to go and ask somthing from Thomas cook. I felt sick and had trouble with my eyes focusing. I think it was a little 'panic attack' most of the time I think I've got my emotions under control but obviously there's an occasional 'overspill' My DiL is having an mastectomy while we're away . So with one thing and another I'm probably over reacting.

annsixty Fri 09-Sept-16 07:25:11

It is so understandable just how you feel. I don't think anything will take the stress away.
All good wishes to your DiL that she will be given more time. A miracle is what we really wish for or course.

Stansgran Fri 09-Sept-16 08:39:42

I think we invest so much time and money into holidays that we feel they have to be good and that is part of the problem. I now insist that there is a night in a hotel on site before the flight and we have a very reliable person who takes and collects . We have the time being retired. I also have a list of things which might be forgotten and need doing and it's printed off and ticked off. It's amazingly helpful.

Riverwalk Fri 09-Sept-16 08:40:32

Chelsea getting to an airport by 4am would add to anyone's stress levels! I would definitely recommend you stay at Gatwick the night before. I've stayed a couple of times at this place - makes life so much simpler.

Marriot

littlefierce Fri 09-Sept-16 09:52:47

Yes I get holiday anxiety, loathe the 2 weeks before setting off. Worsened in past few years by getting gastroenteritis in Spain, which then seemed to trigger bouts of IBS, culminating in us cancelling the biggest holiday of our lifetime to the States to celebrate OH's 60th. We lost the money as well as the insurance didn't kick in until the start of the holiday sad Took a while to build up confidence after those two disasters but coped with France ok this year & am going to Cyprus next spring.

Victoria08 Fri 09-Sept-16 10:07:49

Chelsy baby.

Why don't you just get a taxi if the trains are not running.
It saves a lot of hassle.
I couldn't be doing with train times at that time of the morning.

Bernice123 Fri 09-Sept-16 10:14:40

Good to know I'm not the only one who gets holiday anxiety. Starts a week before we go and going home anxiety a day or so before we travel home. Going away anxiety includes the travel arrangements, packing, shutting up the house, checking in, paperwork etc. Then just before the end of the holiday thoughts turn to things I need to do when we get home, if everything's been OK while we've been away etc. As soon as we've shut the front door and on our way I'm fine and start to relax. We're going away end October for 2 weeks and can't wait. But I know as it gets nearer I will get more anxious.