Vacation is supposed to be a time when you sit back, relax, and tune out the world around you. Most people look forward to exploring a new place or having a fresh experience—but for some, that idea can feel a bit daunting.
Traveling with anxiety can bring up a whole range of challenges and potential triggers. What’s meant to be a relaxing escape can easily turn into a stressful time, leaving you more drained than refreshed.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I find mine tends to spike right before I leave for a trip and again just before I return home. I’ve noticed the pattern, but I don’t fully understand why. Maybe it’s the discomfort of change—something as simple as moving from one place to another can throw me off. I’m not entirely sure.
Then, there’s the end-of-trip feeling—the looming return to the “real world” where responsibilities are waiting. Unfortunately, that part never really goes away. Life just has a way of doing its thing.
But here’s the bottom line: even though I get anxious about going to new places, I still go. And I usually enjoy myself, more often than not. If I had let anxiety stop me, I would have missed out on so many beautiful memories.
Anxiety or not, I hope you have something to look forward to—whether it’s a trip or something else entirely. New experiences are what life is all about, and I can almost guarantee you’ll regret not going more than you’ll regret taking the chance.
Happy May!
—Rocki
