Aruba Anxiety?

[annf]

Boy do I hear you!! I think what is overwhelming is there is much to do when traveling....packing, house things, travel needs etc. I think it is the 'thinking about it' that makes us edgy. Or at least that is what makes me edgy! I have separate lists....what can be done ahead , what needs to wait until the last few days, and a check list for just prior to walking out the door. I feel better if I pack a couple of days ahead (not too far ahead or you forget what you packed...lol). The last thing I do when I get into the car before the driver takes off is check for my passport, credit cards and drivers license. I arrange for enough time to get to the airport in the event there is a traffic tie up for some reason. Me...I relax once at the airport...even before check in etc. Figure I am there...ready when they are (or as my husband says...now you are their problem!)

[Andrea J.]

Yes yes yes !

I tend to overthink and worry about everything!

I am so sorry that it happens to you too.

Paul has finally learned to stay out of my way when I get “ crazed”

[phrogg108]

Boy do I hear you!! I think what is overwhelming is there is much to do when traveling....packing, house things, travel needs etc. I think it is the 'thinking about it' that makes us edgy. Or at least that is what makes me edgy! I have separate lists....what can be done ahead , what needs to wait until the last few days, and a check list for just prior to walking out the door. I feel better if I pack a couple of days ahead (not too far ahead or you forget what you packed...lol). The last thing I do when I get into the car before the driver takes off is check for my passport, credit cards and drivers license. I arrange for enough time to get to the airport in the event there is a traffic tie up for some reason. Me...I relax once at the airport...even before check in etc. Figure I am there...ready when they are (or as my husband says...now you are their problem!)

I think you are right about the "thinking about thinking about it" part. I know the anticipation of it all is way worse than the actual event, but logic seems to take a back burner when these waves of anxiety come flying in. I guess the one good thing about first class is there are drinks on the plane. LOL. My husband tries to get one in me as quickly as possible so HE can relax! Hahahaha!

[WaltVB]

I guess I've traveled so much for work the past 45 years that I don't even think about it. It is what it is. I understand folks with anxiety over things, but when we go to Aruba everything is so planned out in advance, it winds up being just another day. If things happen and flights are delayed or late or whatever we take care of it and hit the closest bar or hotel to wait it out. I have hundreds of thousands of points with Marriott, IHG and Hilton and top-level status for each so if we need accommodations and the airline won't put us up, we're covered. No need to sweat things you have no control over, it just makes the day miserable for all involved.

[phrogg108]

Yes yes yes !

I tend to overthink and worry about everything!

I am so sorry that it happens to you too.

Paul has finally learned to stay out of my way when I get “ crazed”

I also overthink and worry about everything. Is this a female thing? I have noticed most of the replies are the ladies here. LOL. I think a lot of us are the Trip Coordinators anyway, so we tend to put extra pressure on ourselves to make sure things all go well. Not saying that men do not do that, but I think women do it to themselves more than men do...

Speaking of, my husband has also learned to stay out of the way as much as possible and makes sure I have a drink in my hand as soon as the flight attendants are able to hand 'em out. That's the only way HE relaxes. Hahahaha!

[phrogg108]

I guess I've traveled so much for work the past 45 years that I don't even think about it. It is what it is. I understand folks with anxiety over things, but when we go to Aruba everything is so planned out in advance, it winds up being just another day. If things happen and flights are delayed or late or whatever we take care of it and hit the closest bar or hotel to wait it out. I have hundreds of thousands of points with Marriott, IHG and Hilton and top-level status for each so if we need accommodations and the airline won't put us up, we're covered. No need to sweat things you have no control over, it just makes the day miserable for all involved.

The left side of my brain completely and 100% agrees with you and I couldn't have said it better myself. The right side of my brain has its fingers in its ears going "la la la la I can't hear you!!".

[robin]

Since we go for an extended time, I worry if I have everything.I make lists of what I have in Aruba and what we will need before we leave. I have been whittling it down since we came back. One worry is that hubby does not want me to take it all-I can never seem to get it all down there. I biggest worry, is not getting up when the alarm goes off or setting it wrong and missing the flight. I also worry about the weather that time of year.

[phrogg108]

Since we go for an extended time, I worry if I have everything.I make lists of what I have in Aruba and what we will need before we leave. I have been whittling it down since we came back. One worry is that hubby does not want me to take it all-I can never seem to get it all down there. I biggest worry, is not getting up when the alarm goes off or setting it wrong and missing the flight. I also worry about the weather that time of year.

I was hoping you or one of the other "long-term stayers" was going to chime in. I got to thinking about that as well and I would probably be more anxious about making sure we had everything, making sure bills were set up to be paid, had my laptop with me just in case, making sure the house at home was secure, etc. I guess at some point one gets into a routine when you go often for long periods of time, but I have no doubt that first time is rough!

I also worry about not getting up on time. I usually set 3 or 4 alarms for that reason. LOL. The last trip, we did not even sleep the night before because my husband works second shift and gets home around midnight and we would have had to get up at 2am to be there for 3am for the 5:45am flight. At that point, I was excited enough that I couldn't sleep but then was worried "what if I fall asleep because I am exhausted and miss the flight anyway after all this??" Oh anxiety, go away!!

[Glenn]

Hi everybody,

I agree that pre-travel anxiety can happen to any of us, no matter how many trips we've taken; even if we're going to a place we've been to many times before.

Like Andrea J., I tend to overthink things. Sometimes that serves us well but we wind up getting our 'knickers in a twist' over what are often small things. The last we need when we worry is someone telling us not to worry.

No Andrea, Andrea, Susie and others, you are definitely not alone.

Have a good one.


Glenn

[Colette M]

Count me in on the pre-trip anxiety and overthinking too! You are not alone! I make a lot of lists but one generic one would be great. I think Walt is right. The more you travel the more you have it down! Also packing for a beach vacation is more stressful than going to Europe where you wear one outfit to go sightseeing and many times don’t change for dinner. For Aruba you need a variety of different clothing - bathing suits, cover ups, An outfit to change into for dinner however casual it is. I packed workout stuff and never wore it since I didn’t go to the gym! Not good with all the eating and some drinking I did! Packing a few days early helps!