Ever have last minute panic?
 

leaving on Tuesday for long awaited trip to Italy (florence and Venice) and I am having my typical last minute panic. I do this every trip (we average 2 a year). I start thinking, What am I nuts? What if the plane goes down and I have left my dog an orphan? what about spending the thousands on my mortgage instead of on a vacation? What about all the leave your using? etc. . . Of course, I love the trip once I am there and I always end one trip by planning another one (travel is my passion!) but this happens to me every trip! Weird huh? does this happen to anyone else??

No. I usually panic when we have to go home. LOL

It used to happen, so we did things that would help:
make out a will or something that names the person who will take care of your pup. I did that right after we got ours, it does much to relieve ones mind when you go somewhere and know that the children/pets/house are taken care of.
At the end of 30 years, do you want to look at that house and say, I stayed here all this time, and never went anywhere, so I could pay for you..?
You could never take a vacation from work and still get fired, don't you want to live too? or just work and pay the mortgage?
I find that one has to be a big selfish, with oneself. That you need these trips or whatever you do with your vacation time to make you happy and a fulfilled human being. And when you are happy and satisfied, the rest just falls into place.
JMHO~
Now go make a list for what to wear :)

I panic most mornings on my way to work.

LOL Rufus!

It happens to me every time I go to Europe, and I usually go three times a year. I am really excited, and then at the last minute I start thinking--"Why am I doing this? It would be so much easier to just stay here." If I am going with other people, I starting thinking that we won't even like each other when it is over. I think I just wear myself out planning and lose sight of the fun. When I get in the car the day of, I forget every bit of it!

Ivy,

Most definitely! I start having mini panic attacks and claustorphobic about being in the plane for so long. I live in California, so unless it's a short trip to Colorado, it's either 4 - 5 hours to the East Coast or Hawaii, 9 + to Europe or the Pacific. Packing really sends me into a panic, even when I've started preparing the packing a couple of weeks in advance. I start seeing "signs" in everything. If my closest friends happen to call the week before I go on vacation, I start wondering if it's because they have a feeling that they won't talk to me again. Then luckily on the day I fly out, all those anxieties fly right out the window, and I'm just excited about going on vacation, especially if it's a new place. Also, a little Xanax always help. :-d

>...does this happen to anyone else??<

No Ivy, in a world of 6 billion plus people you are the only one.

>...I do this every trip (we average 2 a year). <

Poor Baby. It must be so stressful.

I agree with SalB. My panic starts a few days before the END of a trip. I have to will myself from counting down the hours to the return flight. I've been known to dissolve in tears at a final dinner in Europe - but actually, that was years ago, before I found the means to keep going back fairly often.

I do have the customary moment or two of panic when I get in the car to go to the airport, and have this compulsion to double- and triple-check that I've got the passports and tickets and credit cards and train tickets, and car rental vouchers, andwhatever, but beyond that, no panic upon departure. It's coming home that kills me.

Thanks everyone! nice to know it's not just me.

Ira: how dissapointing. you were always one of my favorite posters. How unlike you to be mean and nasty. Do you feel good about making fun of me?

Oh and Lyb, your post cracked me up. I do the "signs" thing too! How funny!!

We also leave on Tuesday (Normandy, Brittany, Ireland--5 weeks), and I, too, get jittery (though panic may be too strong). Much as I love the planning and the actual traveling, there's something about the transition beween them that is particularly stressful. The actual plane and train stage is no fun, of course, but the what-did-I-forget/should-I-have-packed-differently/what-if-all-the-hotels are overpriced disappointments worries do churn the stomach (at least mine, probably because I do all the planning and so feel responsible). I know from past experience that it's temporary, and then I remember why I keep doing this!
Carolyn

The last time I got paniky before a trip was the first time we went out in our new motorhome for six weeks. I was afraid one of us would end up dead and at least one of us in prison for homicide. Since we made it fine through that one, nothing since (including more than 6 weeks in Europe (as a family) has phased me.

LOL, the "signs" !! I try not to mention to the Yankee that I see signs in things or else he will leave me home :)

One thing, sometimes when I have those anxieties (believe me, I know anxiety!) I think that a lot of it is because we are sort of giving ourselves up to fate, pilots, hotels, strange places and people...that sort of thing..so to be in control..(it is all about control) I make sure to remind myself that if I forget something, I can go shopping, if I get lost, I can take a cab, if the hotel sucks, I will change hotels..that sort of comforts me when I am going out into the "unknown"...hope this helps..
Actually, it helped me a lot to just talk about it ... LOL, FodorTherapy~

Yes, I think it is definitely about giving up controls. That's why, even though I'm not going to London until the end of August, tonight I'm sitting down with my guide books and maps and planning my 8 days in London. Of course, I can change my plans depending on the weather or how much time I end up spending somewhere, but it makes me less out of control. Also, this time around, I'm going to stay at a hotel that my best friend recommended, so it's not a total unknown. And though she told me to take the tube from the airport to the hotel, not being familiar with the tube, which I feel would make me nervous after a 10 hour flight, I've opted to make a reservation with Just Airports to come and pick me up.

I'll do anything to have control, less anxiety and less "signs". :)

Ivy, I leave for Germany/Switzerland on Thurs. and I'm having a panic attack as I write this! A lot of it's due to the fact that I've contacted 7 or 8 inns/ b&b's in the Cochem area and they're ALL BOOKED UP!!! I hope this isn't a "sign"! I'm beginning to envision all 4 of us sleeping in our rental car (and this is the first overseas trip for one of us--hope it doesn't become his last!) I keep taking deep breaths and reminding myself I've never had a problem finding a place to stay and hope we'll stumble onto some quaint little pension where the owner makes their own wine and isn't listed on the internet! ((d))
Anyway, best wishes for a wonderful trip, Ivy, and to all the other Fodorites.

Ira: ....How unlike you to be mean and nasty. Do you feel good about making fun of me?<

I apologize. It was a carryover from another post.

Do enjoy your trip, and remember if you don't post a trip report your computer will be destroyed. :)

Ira,

Very funny! I've often caught myself about to be unnecessarily sarcastic to some poor poster for no reason at all...or like you, because of another post that annoyed me. I'm sure Ivy will forgive you. :)

Thank you for posting this. Yes, I can hardly believe myself when the panic committee sets up shop in my mind about a vacation. But there it is.
I look at the "jitters" as a reminder to get centered and meditate because usaully I'm so wound up making sure that everything is ready I forget to do what is most important to me. It's a nice opportunity to visualize my trip and know that "I am a part of all that I have met"
(I also think the suggestion to have your affairs in order is a very good one, even if one doesn't go any further then the post office.)
Have a splendid time in Italy.

Ivy, Sure (it happens to others)... 25 international trips later, I always have strange rollercoaster emotions a few days before departure, though mine are a bit different than yours. I don't worry about death or plane crashes, money spent, or my pets. My concerns go more like ... who thought of this?, what a stupid idea, I could have stayed home reading a good book, 10 hours on a plane? yikes, and extraordinary concern over my packing and wardrobe. Once I'm in the air & there's no looking back, I'm fine.

Faux does faux sure, but, of course, Faux goes anyway.

It used to be a lot worse when the kids were petit and renting a beach house for a week or two involved packing the station wagon with a case of Pampers, portacrib, etc. It felt more like climbing Mount Everest than a vacation!

LOL suze, "extraordinary concern over wardrobe" So true!! although mine tends toward concern over shoes~

Scarlett, I know what you mean about shoes. At this moment I'm thinking, "hmm, 2 pairs of sandals that are comfortable for walking, but what if it's cool, socks with sandals? One pair of closed toed shoes but the ones that will go with what I'm bringing and I can wear socks with aren't the most comfortable......hmmmm (limited packing space!)

If I go away for a long weekend I'm OK, but if I'm planning a trip lasting more than 4 days, I will start having panic attacks about a week in advance. This Friday I will be going on a 10-day trip starting in Las Vegas, then on to LA to take a cruise. The panic is just now setting in. As you mentioned, I always worry about leaving my dog. Although she will be staying with responsible friends, I have no control over what happens to her when I'm away, so I panic. Also, what if something happens to the house? I know this is crazy and I keep telling myself that, but I do have a lot of sleepless nights within a few days of travelling. My husband is just as bad as me, so there's nobody to comfort me in my time of panic. Thanks for this post, I thought I was nuts.

i get a little panicky about the flight, but other than that no, i don't panic. i just get excited. if i'm away too long i can start to get a panicky feeling that there's stuff at home that needs to get done, but then i usually get home and everything's fine. it's all in our heads.

I suppose I get "excited and anxious", and the what-if's hit...but on the way to the airport to go, there is an overwhelming, "well, its too late to turn back now!" and I'm fine from then on.
But oh my, to be "gone too long"... I would like to know how that feels.
The problem is the time warp, "time flies when you're having fun" and at work it drags mercilessly

Hey Fellow Fodorites!

Glad to see I am not alone! I have spent hours upon hours planning our trip to England for our 25th Wedding Anniversary...it seemed wonderful at the time but with 10 days to go before leaving I am having the jitters. We went last week and updated our wills (the biggie...what poor souls will get our children if something were to happen to us????) Yes, well the decision has been made and long overdue I must admit..so hubby and I are off to Europe for a long overdue holiday alone, without the kids...oouch! I'm sure it will only take us a couple of hours to get used to the fact that the kids aren't there...lol!

Ivy have a wonderful trip...I know you will!

Ps one thing I did do was check my insurance policies and upgraded. Silly Me, I know!!! Robin

Ira: Yes, all is forgiven, no worries!

Thanks to everyone for posting, so nice to know so many others have the same feelings! I leave tomorrow! yikes!

I seldom have last minute panic but I have a recurring dream that I am at the airport and have everything except my passport. And I don't have time to return home for it. The dream occurs more frequently as a trip approaches. Needless to say, whatever else I may forget, I never forget my passport

I'm glad I am not the only one. Two of the reasons I do this: 1. Will this long-awaited and planned-down-to-the-last-detail trip live up to my expecations?, 2. Change is always hard for me, even good changes. One you are there I am sure you'll have a wonderful time!

Dear, dear Ivy--I could have written your post (except for the part about leaving for Italy tomorrow, 'cause I'm not ;)).

I worry so much about the critters, but before I go, I leave very specific information with a number of friends as to how they should be re-homed if anything happens to me. They may think I'm crazy, but I feel better knowing I have done this. Then again, most of them are animal people and they do exactly the same thing!

I just left a meeting where one of my colleagues was relating information about a young woman she knows whose father has a dreadful brain tumor and very grim prognosis. This young woman took ill this weekend--turns out she has a brain tumor that's even larger and more poorly positioned than her father's. She's in surgery right now. She was at work on Friday.

So live each day, take control and be prepared, but enjoy your trip, enjoy those who love you and those whom you love (and be especially thankful if those two groups are identical), have a terrific time and come back here and tell us all about it--but not until after you've hugged your sweet doggy over and over again.

Elle, my heart breaks for your friend, as I had a tumor in 1995. My prognosis was a lot better than what you mentioned and I am OK now, but such surgery is terrifying. I told myself and God that I would do 2 things should I survive: 1. I will never complain about side effects from the surgery (thankfully there weren't any except a slight hearing loss) and 2. I would travel my butt off!! So if you have a special trip in mind, take it NOW because tomorrow is never a sure thing.

The passport dream! MAMC: I have had that one too! starts about a week before the trip. How funny. Elle: So sorry to hear about your friend. Hope that all works out OK. Puts things in perspective! I also do the same things with my friends regarding my dog, I send them all emails telling them who gets custody etc. . . they think I am nuts but it does make me feel better!

Just to clarify--I don't know the woman who is ill; she is a friend of my co-worker.

P_M: glad to hear you have recovered. I'm sorry that you had to go through such a thing, but it sounds like you have your priorities in order.

Variation on the passport dream: I'm leaving on a trip in X minutes, and NOTHING IS PACKED! I find my packing list, but nothing is where it should be - and the flight departure time is fast approaching. I have this dream, not only when anticipating travel, but any time I'm under stress. Needless to say, I'm a pack-the-day-before-from-a-list person.

Thanks, elle. In re-evaluating the situation, I really should laugh at myself. After going through all that trauma, it seems rather silly of me to panic about going on vacation. The panic of getting a diagnosis like that is so much worse than "vacation panic." When we put this into perspective, I think vacation panic is actually not so bad. It's good to be reminded once in a while about what's most important in life, what's really worth panicking over and what's not. I will hope and pray for the best for the lady and her father who are ill.

Faux is not a very organized packer. In fact she can be very disorganized. There was the infamous expedition where she arrived at the airport in a rush because her flight had been moved back. Unfortunately, she had to go the next day. One of the passports had been accidentally left at home.

Then there was the trip where she opened her suitcase and NO underpants. Well, it was another excuse to go shopping, but for underpants? In a country where you don't know the word for what you want? I wondered around in a department store in Hamburg and eventually located what I needed. I also never forgot the German word for "underpants".

I too, hope the young woman you mentioned gets better and lives life to it's fullest. About 7 years ago I was diagnosed with what might have been uterine cancer (I was very lucky it wasn't, I'm just a lumpy bumpy person!) and I realized that I had made too many excuses instead of doing the things I wanted to do. I made four goals, 1) to finish grad school (I did!) 2)to see about having children (we just have had two special needs children place with us) 3)To go to England (we spent our 15th anniversary there about 5 years ago and are going to celebrate our 20th this July) and 4) to let my DH know what a DH he really is! Life has expanded in many ways, I still get jittery about travel preparations, but we go, we have a great time and we appreaciate that life is good! Have a great trip!

Julie

So what is the German word for "underpants"?

I'm thinking that Ivy should learn it, and then when she gets nervous or anxious she should repeat it over and over again as a talisman or something like that. . .

:)

Oh I like that idea! SO what is it?? "unter. . . " something?