Traveling Through Anxiety: How I Overcame Travel Anxiety (and Why You Should Take the Adventure Anyway)

There was a time not too long ago when the thought of traveling made my heart race, and a warm rush of unease consumed me. Not the fun kind of excitement, but the kind that makes you wonder if maybe you just weren’t meant to leave your house. What if something goes wrong? What if I forgot something important? Who am I going to get seated by? Will it be a smelly guy who uses his armrest AND MINE, insisting on telling me his life story (ignoring the cues of my AirPods) all while aggressively chewing gum?

For longer than I would like to admit, these thoughts kept me stuck in the “I think I would rather stay home” zone. But then I realized something: I had two boys watching me. I didn’t want them to inherit my worries. I wanted them to see the world as an adventure, not a collection of risks waiting to happen.

So, I did the thing that every anxiety-ridden traveler dreads: I traveled. Again and again, and slowly but surely, I learned that the world is so much less scary than my brain was convincing me it was. Turns out, repetition, exposure, and a sprinkle of Zoloft (no shame in my anxiety med game haha) were the magical recipe to pushing through my worries.

Then, I was faced with the ultimate test. My boys were (and still are) obsessed with the Japanese culture. They’d constantly show me YouTube videos about traveling to Japan, highlighting all the places they had to visit. Plus, their love for sushi? It’s intense. Every birthday, celebration, and reward – they request sushi every time.

(And let me just say, my husband and I are kicking ourselves now because we were the ones who introduced them to this sushi madness. These teenage boys can throw down on some serious sushi, which means restaurant bills? Yikes.)

Anyway, back to the story.

One day, we were talking about this with our friends, and before we knew it – we booked a trip to Japan.

Cue panic mode.

How was I supposed to survive a 12-plus-hour flight? How would I navigate a country where I didn’t know a single word of Japanese? And the language barrier! What if I accidentally ordered something terrifying off a menu?

I had so many fears to conquer, but this was a dream of my kids.’ I refused to let my anxiety rob them of this experience. And honestly? Seeing their excitement was enough to push me forward, and I am so happy I did! It really was an experience of a lifetime. My kids want to go back. Over a year later, my oldest boy has expressed he would love to live there for a year!

Japan made quite an impression on our family. I plan to share all of those details another day.

So please, PLEASE, take the leap. Take the adventure. And make the most amazing memories.

If Travel Makes You Anxious, Here’s What Helped Me:

1. Exposure is Everything (Even When It’s Super Uncomfortable)

The first time I flew alone, I was convinced I would have a full-blown panic attack in the middle of the airport and forget every step I was supposed to take even to step foot on the plane. This is a completely irrational thought. There is a customer service desk at every single gate! So clearly, in the slight chance of a scenario in which I had a sudden case of amnesia, the help desk could walk me through the process. Phhew crisis averted. The more I traveled, the more my brain stopped treating it as a major event. Your brain can’t stay in panic mode forever-it gets bored. So keep going.

2. Focus on the Why, Not the what Ifs

When I felt myself getting anxious before a trip, I asked myself (ON REPEAT), “Why am I doing this?” My answer was always bigger than my fears: To show my kids the world. To experience new things. To prove to myself that I am capable and can do hard things. When you focus on the joy of the trip rather than the what-ifs, the excitement starts to outweigh the fear.

3. Preparation=Peace of Mind

Anxiety loves to whisper worries. What if I forget something? So, I made a foolproof packing list. Besides, most things can be bought at your destination in a pinch. What if I run into traffic or my flight gets delayed? I started building buffer time into my plans. What if I get lost? Google Maps and Waze are my two very best friends! The more I prepared, the fewer surprises there were to stress me out.

4. Have a Panic Plan (Just in Case)

I have to be realistic with myself. Even now, anxiety sometimes tries to crash my travel party. That’s why I have come up with a plan to kick those irritating thoughts: music that calms me, a magazine, podcast, or audiobook to distract me, and yes, a little medication if I need it. For you, this could also be essential oils, or vitamin supplements that put your mind at ease. It doesn’t matter what, just have a plan.

Helpful Travel Tips for the Anxious Traveler:

Packing Like a Pro

• Make a checklist and use it every time. Here is mine Travel Packing Checklist
• Pack a “comfort kit” with snacks, a magazine or book, earbuds, and anything else that calms you.
• Keep all travel docs in one easy-to-reach spot (This way you can avoid frantically searching for your ID and boarding pass at security).

Flying Without Freaking Out

• Arrive early – rushing makes anxiety worse.
• Hydrate. Carry on the lotion and eyedrops too. The recycled air on an airplane is extremely dry.
• Bring distractions. Podcasts, movies, or a game on your phone can help keep your mind busy. Remember to download these before you board the plane (in fact, add that to your checklist).

Navigating New Places Without the Stress

• Download Google Maps offline so you never worry about losing service.
• Have a basic itinerary but leave room for spontaneity – sometimes the best moments aren’t planned. This flexibility also helps navigate varying travel personality preferences.
• Learn a few key phrases if you are traveling to a different country. Knowing how to say “hello” and “thank you” goes a long way. Many great translation apps are available now, so don’t let the language barrier hold you back from your dream destination! Check out “Translator Guru:” (an app my family used during our Japan trip).
• If you plan to travel internationally, this is the list I use to keep me organized:
  

Take the Adventure – You Won’t Regret It

If anxiety is keeping you from traveling, I get it. I have been there. But trust me when I say this: It gets easier. The world is full of incredible places waiting to be explored, and you don’t want fear to be the reason you miss out.

So, book the trip. Take the adventure. And if you get nervous along the way? Well, that’s what great playlists, deep breaths, and that “comfort kit” you put together, are for. You’ve got this!

Happy Travels! ~Kelly~ Simple Home Bliss

Resources:

International Pre-Travel Checklist
Travel Packing List
Translator Guru App

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