Worries and Over-Analysing

Iain said:

if the food is safe to leave unrefrigerated for that length of time

That's where the freezing comes in. They will defrost in a couple of hours, but they stay quite cold for even longer (wrap them in a towel for insulation). I eat the more-perishable (ham) ones first and keep the less-perishable ones (chocolate spread) for later.

Damojo said:

Take a few tortilla wraps, add a small amount of your favourite filling to each,

Good advice.

It also helps to check the customs regulations on your destination as many countries will not allow you to bring in any meat or dairy products (including sweets derived from milk) or any fruit / veg, and there is a risk of a fine if you do.

The easiest way is if you haven't finished the food on the plane / boat etc then bin it before getting to customs control. Obviously not relevant if there are no rules against it in that country, and if the food is safe to leave unrefrigerated for that length of time.

Stuart333 said:

Look at what you took but did not need.

I've spent years looking at what I didn't take but needed. That's why my packing list is so long. It's a list of mostly little things that I would prefer to have to hand, so I can still go for a two-week holiday with just a 10 kg carry-on bag.

TOP TIP: Take a few tortilla wraps, add a small amount of your favourite filling to each, roll tightly, halve, wrap in foil, freeze overnight and put in hand luggage just before you leave for the airport. Very compact and they'll keep you going all day. No crumbs, either.

I live on Anglesey I get lots of mountain views and lots of wildlife, I see the sea everyday and can smell a forest. If I wanted to see the sort of animals you're taling about then I'd either have to go to a safari park or to a hot country.

You can't appreciate a mountain by looking at a screen, or get the sense of space, or see the streams, or hear the wind, or the scent of the pines, or see elk, or moose, or marmots, or pika, etc.

You have to be in nature, not in your front room.

I find watching documentaries better than going to places, you see the objects more clearly, theres no pushing and shoving, you get things explained to you by people who are really passionate about the subjects. Some places are really overwhelming too, the Archaeology museum in Istanbul is a good example, it's huge and theres so many exhibits, from such a vast span of history, you can't take it all in and then theres the Aya Sophia, which I'd seen so many programs and literature about the real thing was a bit of a disapointment.

Iain said:

swiss army credit card

I always have my Victorinox Classic SD in the coin pocket of my jeans. It's been in there for nearly 40 years. In all that time, I've probably only used it about 3-4 times per day! It's what I miss most when I fly, as I have to leave it at home. I live in fear of getting a hangnail at 33,000 feet.

Damojo said:

They often came in useful.

I always carry a small tool kit with me - screwdrivers, pliers, scissors, knife and tweezers. The number of times I've been able to fix damaged suitcases, loose laptop screens, damaged zips etc is surprising.

Most of this is very portable - swiss army credit card sized stuff but it is robust and works well. It is my nod to covering as many eventualities as I can,

TheCatWoman said:

a long piece of string and half a dozen clothes pegs

Guilty as charged! I've been carrying around string and clothes pegs since 1996. They often came in useful.

My written packing list has over 100 items on it that I've curated over the years. When I pack, even at the last minute, I know I just need to follow my list and when I arrive at my destination, I'll have everything I need. (I don't pack everything, just what I need for the particular trip.) My list really helps me to relax.

TOP TIP: For self-catering holidays, bring lots of bag clips (about 15 should do it).

Over thinking is an autistic trait, so it's pointless people telling you that you do this, it isn't something that we can just stop doing.

In my opinion, your mother's reaction was unjustified. There was no need for her to dictate what size bag you take, as long as you are the one carrying it, and calling your explanation "nonsense" just sounds rude.

Sometimes people find it difficult to accept that others have a different view of things or need to do things differently to them. I think it's part of the neurotypical psychology to want everyone in their close circle to think and do things the same way they do, so perhaps your way of doing things makes your mother feel uncomfortable or anxious just because it's different to her way. That doesn't make you wrong.

I'm glad you had a nice trip though.

You could watch travel shows or documentaries about other countries - no dealing with crowds, navigating routes, sleeping in a strange bed or dealing with hot weather & bugs!

Hi, just read your post and I can understand what you mean. I worry about literally everything constantly, even things outside my control. When travelling I have the same issue.

I always take meds, handheld games, books, clothing, toiletries, towels, wallet, headphones, mp3 player, power bank and charge cables. Some would say it is excessive but for me, necessary. 

Being prepared for unexpected events is not a bad thing in my opinion. As an example, if travelling and say a flight is cancelled and you don’t have enough to cover cost of additional night accommodation… I would hate to be in that situation but if I was, I have the essentials, entertainment and could possibly sort somewhere to stay. 

I suppose it depends on each person. I don’t see anything wrong with it myself but I dare say some people would disagree. I think the important thing here is that you can acknowledge and appreciate that it is part of your quirks and behaviours.

I’m not saying to argue with people by any means but I would hope that you would given a bit more understanding. If this is what makes you feel reassured then I myself would support it completely

The problem is the only way to see other places is to endure the travel.

 I always take loads of books as well as my kindle, just in case I lose the cable for my kindle, I also take my coffee pot and my own coffee.

But when I think of the things my Mum and Nan used to cart about with them I'm simple, there was always a long piece of string and half a dozen clothes pegs, half the medicine chest, a wet flannel in a plastic bag.

I'm not a fan of travelling anymore, it's just to much hassle, the roads are too busy, airports a nightmare.

Hi WitchyPrincess06,

Thank you for posting to the online community. I am sorry to hear that you struggle with anxiety and that you and your mother had an argument. I am glad to hear you had a nice holiday together though. 

The NAS has some advice and guidance on anxiety which may be useful to you: 

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/anxiety

I hope this helps, 

Gina Mod 

It’s about trying to control something negative occurring. I feel a sense of duty or a need to perform this action so that I can tell myself I did what I could to stop this bad thing happening. If I am aware of a possibly accident or incident before it happens then morally I shouldn’t just let it happen. This is the sort of thought that I have that justifies the urgency in checking or turning things off. 

I broke my front door and snapped a tap in half and got rather wet, by keep checking, but I was pushing harder and harder each time.

I tried to stop after those two. I still check, but try to be gentle 

It does and by the same logic if the bad thing never happens we don't relax, we double down.

However, I do believe with autism there are also situations where we need to do the thing that calms our brain and if it is taking an extra item then so be it. It is keeping the balance of doing the things that keep us regulated without setting off a pattern of increased anxiety.

Expecto_Patronum said:

I used to be really fixated with checking plug sockets and I'd end up checking multiple times before leaving my house and it was becoming a problem. I

I used to do this with taps when leaving. I also did this with door handles every night till they broke, checking light switches for any moisture became an urge too when I turned them on after I’d washed my hands and dried them. 

Expecto_Patronum said:

Our brains unfortunately create a cycle in which we try to prevent anything bad from happening but actually make ourselves more anxious in the process.

Very true.

And if one of the things we prepare for actually happens and we "saved the day" then it reinforces out beliefs and we often get more entrenched in our reasoning.