Am I alone in feeling like this?
 

I love going on holidays.We go away 3 times a year. I spend many, many hours on research and planning. I seem to spend most of my life looking forward to going away. So far I'm sure many people are the same. But... about a couple of weeks before I'm due to go I start feeling as if I couldn't be bothered!!!!It's almost a feeling of wishing it was all over! I don't understand it. Leading up to the departure I've lost all the excitement I had. Once I'm on the plane I return to feeling normal and always really enjoy myself. Why do I get like that and am I on my own in feeling this?

That's easy...you're a wacko!

Don*t worry,my friend!I always feel exactly the same,but that is not bothering me because just like you...once Iam on the plane everything is really o.k!!!

Egads, another wacko! (I guess it's time to go to bed!)

Not wacko at all. It's a natural response to <BR>(a) stressing yourself in planning<BR>(b) excitement/anxiety in anticipation (preparing yourself for disappointments and problems).<BR><BR>You go into a variant of the fight-or-flight reaction to stress and anxiety, and in response your body tries to react to the adrenalin. Ever found yourself yawning when you're nervous? Ever dreaded the Christmas parties? It's the same reactions at work.

patrick<BR>what a great explanation! I almost always go through the same stages as anon. I just couldn't understand why!

I agree with Patrick's explanation. It doesn't happen to me so much with trips that I've planned, but I can relate to the feeling. I used to plan a lot of events -- from little get-togethers with a few people to corporate things with hundreds of people, dinner, etc.; even some major events with thousands. There would sometimes come a time before the event when everything that could be reasonably be done in advance was done. Every base was covered, every item on the checklist was marked and anything else that could end up in the equation was totally beyond control. Maybe that is what happens to you and the feeling naturally goes away when you are finally underway and you see it all working out, as it inevitably does.

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels like &quot;anon&quot;.

Me too! I'm leaving in a couple of weeks<BR>and yesterday I was just feeling kind of blah blah about the whole thing. Like you, once I get to the airport I get excited all over again. <BR>I think Patrick is right as I've been kind of stressed out for a combo of reasons..the plane ride itself, the hotel room, plans once we get there..I thought why the hell am I putting myself thru all of this when I can just stay home and watch TV (real wacked right?). <BR>

What happens is in the planning stages EVERYTHING is idealized! Nothing goes wrong in our plans for a trip. We don't account for the long lines, rude people, airline delays, headaches, upset stomach, being turned around without directions, etc. etc.<BR>In the planning stages, everything is picture perfect - the cool breeze rustles the trees as we sip a cold drink and read a good book. No $$ concerns, no bad weather, everything is just right.<BR>Planning months ahead we have snorkled with the manta rays, walked the cobbled streets with gentle snowflakes falling, had candlelight dinners and then the month before the trip all the ideal images begin to fade as our fears and stress begins to arrive.<BR>Fear and stress rob us of our joy - i always struggle with fear and stress just before a trip thinking about leaving my pets!!! This is never thought of when I'm at work dreaming of my next trip on the black sand beaches of Greece.

Thanks everyone! It is so good to know that others can relate to my feelings!

Exactly the same thing happens to me. About a week before leaving, I get cold feet, and seriously consider cancelling the entire trip. If it was not for nonrefundable tickets, I would probably never travel!<BR><BR>When I arrive at the airport, everything changes. My excitement is renewed, and I am thrilled to be going away. <BR><BR>I have learned to expect and also disregard these &quot;week-before&quot; jitters, because I know how temporary they are.

to anon this time Thanks for expressing these thoughts, it helps to know that i'm not the only one, I am a week away from a solo trip to Italy and I can't stop worrying that it will be the lonliest Xmas/New Year of my life, but your message helped for some reason- I know that once I arrive there these will fade, and I'll have a wonderful experience (I hope)

anon2<BR>Have a great trip to Italy!

Anon 2 - where are you going in Italy? I just bought a ticket for Rome - going end of Jan. also solo. Pls. report back on your trip. Have a great one!<BR>Mara

WOW! I'm glad I'm not alone. I think we all need Prozac or something. I always feel that way before a holiday, vacation, even a party. I start dreading it, and can't wait for it to be over! Sometimes the planning and the memories are better than the actual doing. What's up with that?!

Patrick, that explanation struck home with me too. <BR><BR>I usually feel more in control of unexpected events if I remember to make a 'bad luck quota.' I decide that I'll probably have 10 rude encounters with people; lose 2 days of vacation due to delays or strikes; it'll rain most of the time; and I'll waste $500. <BR><BR>So, every time I have, for example, a rude encounter with someone, I get to think: &quot;phew! Another one off the list. Only x more to go.&quot; Feels a lot better than, &quot;oh, no.&quot;

I'm glad someone mentioned leaving the pets for vacation, that's usually where my pre-trip jitters start about 2 weeks before. Once I'm on the plane, I'm fine, but leading up to that is nothing but stress. This always troubles me because I love to travel, once I'm there!

I think part of it maybe a defense mechanism to concern that for some reason you won't be able to go the trip (you get sick, family problem, terrorism). Also maybe nervous and tired from being nervous

I feel exactly the same way! I'm leaving tomorrow for 2 weeks and am feeling pretty blah about the whole trip. It'll pass into excitement once i'm up in the air.<BR><BR>I know that tomorrow I will spend the first 5 minutes of the flight wondering about what i've forgotten to bring or forgotten to turn off at home, then sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of my trip.

To Mara:<BR>I am going to Italy (3rd time in a year!)<BR>on Xmas and can only stay ten days,(part of this in Rome) but will post a little report when I come back. Am not the same anon2 as the Prozac post (I think pasta works just as well to smooth out the jitters.Are you also traveling solo?<BR>anon2(original one)

I am well known by my friends and family to react this way too. About a week before I leave, I get overwhelmed and just start thinking, why am I even going, I should just stay home, the pets will be happy, the garden will be watered, the mail and newspapers will come, etc. <BR><BR>I recognize these feelings now, they are just reactions to changes that I have to make before a trip. <BR><BR>I know they start when I start putting my clothes in my suitcase, choosing and eliminating and getting stressed out over what to pack, throwing in &quot;just in case&quot; clothes and then taking them out.<BR><BR>I think it just can get overwhelming when I have planned too much.

<BR>WOW!!! Didn't realize we had so many unstable people out ther.

I dont think that being overwhelmed with planning and leaving on a trip is a sign of being unstable. <BR>

I am the complete opposite and I really feel for you who get so stressed. I am so happy to plan, research and go. I am beam from ear to ear for up to a month before the trip. I love planning outfits. I love the anticipation. I love securing the hotel reservations, the plane tickets, and car rentals. Actually it is very relaxing for me. I am in heaven while looking forward to a trip. I am in heaven on the trip...and I start planning the next one immediately.<BR>Best of luck to all of you...<BR>Happy Holidays....

to anon 2<BR>I really hope your trip goes well- not been a good year for you??

Sue, what a great way to deal with stress! Thanks -- I'll remember that. <BR><BR>Thanks anon, too -- I thought I was the only one. The only time I ever want to stop travelling is the week before each trip, when an overwhelming wave of &quot;why on earth am I putting myself through this&quot; comes over me. <BR><BR>Once I'm on the plane, I'm happy!

ttt