My First Experience with Travel Anxiety

Let’s talk about life for a second. Just when you think life is going great...BAM! Some stressful event comes right at you. 

This time, it was travel anxiety. I traveled internationally for the first time last month and I did not know what to expect. I have traveled plenty of times before and love flying! However, this was a whole new ball game.There were so many hoops I had to jump through, I honestly didn’t even know if I would make it. Between getting my passport for the first time, going through customs for the first time, and the longest flight I had ever been on, there were many firsts for me. 

Among those firsts, I arrived in a city I have never been to before (in a country I had never been to before), knowing no one. This was probably one of the scariest things I have ever done. I had to adjust to local customs, using public transportation, using a different currency, and a different language. It was all very overwhelming and quite frightening.

Now, looking back on the experience, I learned a lot and in the end it was an amazing trip. Here, I would like to share with you some of my personal tips for dealing with travel anxiety. (Note: Please keep in mind, these are things that worked for me and may not work for everyone).

1. Plan Ahead

Make a to-do list of all the things that need to get done in preparation for your trip. Once I made a list, it was easier for me to see what tasks still needed to get done and I was able to focus more.

2.  Keep a Journal

I am going to be totally honest here. I am awful at keeping a journal. In my 21 years of life, I have not been able to keep a journal. I always start one and end up abandoning it after a few entries. This time, however, I was able to keep a journal the entire month I was gone and I am so grateful. Writing in my journal helped me cope with any anxiety I was facing. Journaling gave me an outlet to express all my thoughts and concerns.

3. Bring Something from Home

Bring something that holds sentimental value to you. It helps remind you of home and brings a form of comfort to a stressful situation. I brought two things with me. I brought a stuffed animal my boyfriend had given me years ago and a postcard my best friend gave me before I left. I read the postcard whenever I was sad and missed my friends and family and I slept with the stuffed animal every night to help me feel like I was home.

I can’t promise that these pieces of advice will cure your anxiety, but I hope that they may be able to help you feel calm the next time you’re exploring the world.