Going on holiday

Shaunna said:

I feel like every year I go on holiday and come back burnt out and regretting not doing more and relaxing more.

My advice is to plan meticulously what is reasonable to prepare for, keep it documented and leave lots of gaps for chill time and for "see where it takes us" time - as Mark says you will not look back and say "I wish I had stayed at home instead" when you look back.

So for the trip there and back - research the airport, how to get there, how much time to leave, what to pack and what to do when you get there in order to get to and from the hotel.

Keep a folder of all this in paper format in your handbag/backpack as well as on your phone. Take a battery pack and an international charger plus copies of your travel insurance and book to take some local currency (Post office were the best option I found last time).

For day 1 allow time to find your way around, where to find a supermarket, ATM and restaurants then go have an afternoon by the pool to recharge before going out at night - or whatever you plan to do there. Research, rest, play.

If you have any big nights out planned, allow a rest day after.

Try to fit in some exploring or adventure stuff after a rest day so you can get as much out of it as you can.

You should have the return all planned out so book taxis/busses/trains back to the airport a few days before you leave so you know it is all sorted. Also check if you need to confirm your flights.

Find out where to get a replacement phone if someone loses theirs or even carry one with you if you have it. Best to make sure you have enough capacity on your credit card for it too.

There you go - all the hard work is done, captured on paper and digitally so you can chill, share with others you are travelling with and relax before you go.

I totally understand. I am a nightmare for my poor wife at stations/airports - the overload combined with potential delays... uuughhh.

My mum does try her best and we have some plans in place but I still can’t help but get stressed 

I'm over 50 and holidays still stress me out.

Before I continue, let me say that I don't think anyone on their deathbed ever said "I wish I went on less holidays". This is the attitude that I take and I power on through the stress and anxiety.

To be totally honest, I think that your mum could meet you half way. Can you explain your anxiety to her and suggest that you plan the first 3 or 4 days before you go. And then plan the other days when you are there. She can still have a lovely holiday with a bit more rigidity whereas your holiday experience would be vastly improved.

If you are able to sleep after an 'all nighter' then great! If I did that, I'd be both tired and stressed as I can't sleep when traveling.

Tips: Ask your mum to meet you halfway and come up with a plan. I'm guessing you are over 18, so she could have a day or two of adventure and leave you to relax back at your accommodation.

When we take our children away on holidays, we always have a go with the flow attitude. We have always had this so my autistic teen doesn't know any different as such.

Saying this, we always have the same/similar routine when going away. On the first day, we will set up, explore, go for a walk. Every evening, we eat dinner together and talk about our day and what we will be doing tomorrow. Then there is a plan so they can sleep better. Then in the morning we go over the plan to make sure everyone is still happy. 

Before going on holiday, our children are so excited but then the change can cause meltdowns the day before or even after. We book the holiday as a family, we talk about what there is to do there, what food is like, the weather, environment, and we always show them pictures of where we are staying, what their room looks like ect. 

Maybe taking melatonin will help with sleep? On holiday we give our daughter it because her emotions are high and she struggles to settle before bed. 

I don't know how much this will help and I'm sorry if it doesn't. This is just what we do as a family.