ANXIETY WON'T STOP! Afraid to go on vacation with my family!

I live with my mom & dad. My family is leaving Monday to go on vacation & coming back on Saturday. We are going to a beach that is 9 hours away from where we live & are leaving at 5am Monday morning & leaving early Saturday morning, so we will actually be there Monday afternoon - Friday.

I have been doing better with getting out & about around town - shopping, going to lunch, etc. BUT - it is still that constant "anticipatory anxiety" that I have before I leave! IT IS HORRIBLE! Once I GET OUT it gets better! BUT - I am SO SCARED to go 9 hours away from home! I am riding with my parents, so I can just sleep in the car, but that doesn't make me feel any better about being so far from home. It's like a "double edge sword" though - I HATE being at home alone when my parents go out of town. SO - Do I want to go to the beach & JUST DO IT or stay home & be miserable??

Also, have OCD really bad & it is SO HARD for me to pack to go anywhere! I can never decide what to bring & every year I always end up taking way to much stuff (like double the amount of clothes I need)! I can GET OVER THIS - I do every year, but packing literally makes me sick. UGH!!!

Any suggestions?

[TNGW]

Hi Mel....when I take road trips I bring things that help me relax.... a book, meditation guides and head phone, I even make me a hot cup of chamomile and lavender tea (favorite run to). Many people take coloring books as well. I know it sounds a little childish but the key is staying calm. You should go and enjoy yourself.

[Hidden in reply to TNGW]

I do have a book that I am listening to that is really awesome called "The Thinking Trick!" It is about OVERTHINKING! It does make me feel calm when I listen to it, because it describes me perfectly & gives me comfort that I am not "alone" in this battle. I am going to take that with my & put my earbuds and hopefully that will help.

I also listen to motivational speakers on "You Tube" so I will do that as well. I recently took a course on Meditation & have several audio meditations I can do! I LOVE TO COLOR - no it's no childish at all! I have some of the adult coloring books - thanks for reminding me of those. I haven't colored in a while.

I am just going to have to BE STRONG & JUST DO IT!!!

Thanks for your advice!!!

MW

[TNGW in reply to Hidden]

Great....I'm reading Battlefield of the Mind. I'm almost finish. So I'm looking for another good read. Make sure u post after your trip.

[Hidden in reply to TNGW]

The book I am listening to is through "Amazon Audible." I know you can buy the book on Amazon too.

Title: "The Thinking Trick" Author: David A. Carbonell, Ph.D.

If you have problems with constant "racing thoughts" & worrying, like I do, I think you will like it! I have really enjoyed it so far!!

[Mike7340]

YOU....are loved! You...are strong! You...can go wherever...and do whatever you want. The fear that torments you isn't real. I know it seems really real at times, but its not. Its just a mind game. As someone on here said yesterday, "the best way around anxiety is through it." So hold steady, it WILL pass. It never stays for long. And most importantly....enjoy yourself. None of your problems will follow you on vacation. Relax and enjoy the creation that set there just for you.

God speed!

[Hidden in reply to Mike7340]

I have been "stuck" in fear of living for so long that I often forget how STRONG I TRULY AM & all of the things I CAN DO!!

Thank you so much for such an inspirational response! GOD SPEED!!

[Hidden]

Hi, no suggestions, except just keep doing what you have been doing in the past. It's working even though you wish you didn't have the "anticipatory" anxiety. I travel on ship almost every month with my husband due to our business and always manage to over pack rather than making my anxiety worse by trying to figure out what not to take. I'm nervous

for days before we leave, so I lay out my clothing several days ahead of time. Once we leave my anxiety, like yours, settles down. I just don't like repacking to come home. lol

Enjoy the beach, take a good book, your phone or what ever else makes you feel you have a "life line" to someone you know at home. It's ok, and so will you. Take plenty of sunscreen!

[Hidden]

I have today & tomorrow to pack! Today, I am going to pick out the clothes I WANT to take & lay it out. Tomorrow, I will go back through it & take some of the stuff out, so I won't take so much! I CAN DO THIS!!!

Yes - lots of sunscreen!!!

Thanks!

[Mike7340 in reply to Hidden]

JOY is YOURS to keep. You have an unlimited supply. All you have to do is claim it, then keep it. When the cloud comes, say, "Nope! I'm keepin my joy! Get away from me....this day is MINE!

[Hidden in reply to Mike7340]

Thank you! And you are right! Going to get through the packing without THINKING so much, enjoy my time riding in the car listening to my book, videos & coloring and HAVE FUN at the beach!!!

I can't remember the last time I have just gone out & HAD FUN! I DESERVE PEACE & JOY and the beach has always been my SERENITY, so I CLAIM IT!!

God Speed!

[Mike7340 in reply to Hidden]

You go gurl!!!

[Hidden in reply to Mike7340]

I am SO GLAD I found this page! All of you are so inspiring & motivational!! I want to be the same for all of you too!!!

GOING TO THE BEACH!!!! Yayyyy!

[Hidden]

Enjoy x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!!! I am going to post pictures if I can figure out how to on here to share with you all when I get home!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Lovely can't wait to see them x

[Dealdeb in reply to Hidden]

You got this girl! Have fun... sunlight is the best medicine,water, sand in your toes- wiggle them in the sand for us..

[Hidden in reply to Dealdeb]

Thanks! I will be sure to think of all of you!!!