Travel Blog
Traveling as a Woman with Anxiety
Just a small-town girl reliving trauma in a great, big, beautiful world
I don’t know why it’s taken until now for me to get this, but everyone is not anxious. There are people who enjoy booking trips to, packing for, getting to, and experiencing new places.
These people don’t have to remind themselves to breathe unless it is pure unadulterated excitement that takes their breath away.
I assumed when I started writing that a lot of people had anxiety surrounding travel — surrounding everything — like I do, but a few travel articles written and read on Medium and I’m finding a host of humans who just can’t relate.
These humans are kind and considerate. They write lovely, supportive words that are prefaced with “I don’t know what this is like, but…” I appreciate them. They are dear to me. Thank you, Friends, for your big, big love.
I assumed that writing about anxious travel would be helping people with anxiety, but I may be wrong about that. As a person with travel anxiety, I can say that staying home is way easier. Why travel when it is so hard?
I didn’t think I had anything to say to people who aren’t anxious, but it turns out, I do.
What I have to say is this: Traveling isn’t easy for me because I have anxiety.
I have anxiety about it all.
Things that are harder, a poem of woes
Saying Yes to the idea of travel.
Booking travel.
Post-booking doubts.
Making reservations.
Packing.
Fear of having to leave home.
I can’t forget anything!
Worries about the weather.
Clothes. Will I fit in?
Shoes.
Leaving home. What if my dogs die while I’m gone?
Driving and riding.
Traffic.
Airports.
Security.
Other people.
Close spaces.
Smells.
Noises, chatter, laughter, overhead speakers, electronic devices, and yelling.
Deadlines. Delays.
Fear of scarcity.
Hunger & nausea.
Flying.
Fear of death.
People touching me or now, coughing.
Getting up to pee.
Fear of spilling beverages.
Fear of leaving my phone in the seat pocket in front of me.
Landing.
Fear of death.
Being in a new place.
Smells.
Everything is different.
Fear of death.
These are just some of my anxieties. Before I even step into a magical new city, I’ve felt every big emotion, hyperventilated, and doom-scrolled death options numerous times. Sometimes, I shut down completely.
Why don’t I stay home?
Well, for the same reason non-anxious travelers travel. Because it’s fabulous. It’s worth it.
I’m Brett Jenae Tomlin, The Anxious Enthusiast.
If you love, love, love my writing and want to shout out, “You get it, anxious girl!” You can contribute to my cookbook collection here or join Medium to put your own stamp on the web and the world. I get a little love if you use my link ^^
A quick look into anxious packing:
