BootsnAll Travel Community

okay i need a little help here...i am in my last semester of school, with two somewhat work-intensive courses, plus i work full-time, plus i am raising a cat, plus i am a political activist (especially radical cheerleading and radical reference), plus i run and practice yoga regularly. i feel so overwhelmed--i'm sitting here in my messy living room, piles of clean laundry to fold, dishes to wash, homework to be done, cat to be coddled--and i don't know how i can possibly plan my trip.

i am leaving for europe in four months but havent bought my plane tickets, and should very soon, but everything seems to take forever, and i worry if i'm going to have enough money, if i've planned enough time. i spend my subway rides reading travel books, searching travel sites at work when i'm not doing my hw (or on the occasion, work)...but please, how can i not be stressed and buy plane tickets (which is so complicated b/c i'm flying nyc->iceland, a few days later to london, several months later, from athens to nyc).

what do you do to relax?

Board games.
I'm dead serious.
Board games.
Specifically, Cranium. Get together with some friends and play Cranium. You need to relax and have some good old fashioned fun, and Cranium fits that category.

As far as getting things done goes, make a list of things that need to be done, as specific and as detailed as possible. Make a daily to do list. And then stick to both of them for a week, you'll be surprised at how quickly you can get things done.

I run and practice yoga and play with my dog. Seems like you've tried all those things so I second Taylor's suggestion of lists.

My laptop is covered in Post-it notes, each with a "have to do list." Some are for this week, this month, or tomorrow. Organize what you need to do tomorrow, then by the end of the week, then the end of the month, and ultimately by the end of your time here before you leave. Just start checking them off one by one. You'll get through it.

Hey Cherie, the stress passes. When I hit that, like I did a couple of weeks ago, I removed anything from my schedule that I didn't absolutely have to do and then I put my head down and started working. After a few days of getting stuff done, the stress started to lift. If your relaxing activities are stressing you out, stop them and make your to-do list smaller and build it up again when you can. Breathe, have baths, breathe.... If it needs doing, it always gets done

What should you do to relax??

Well, first, I would just recognize that all of the stress and anxiety is normal, and like Sky Annie said, it will pass. Just kind of ride with it, and you'll get through it. I agree with the others, though, that you need to stop the things that ARE stressing you out - even if it's only temporary. If it means taking a day off from running, or from the political activism, or whatever...it sounds like you need to free up your schedule a bit. From what you wrote, it sounds like you're overworking yourself - even though some of the things you've added to your 'schedule' are supposed to relax you. You're too busy!!

If you need to relax, then cut a bunch of the other stuff out of your day. At least once a week, allow yourself to have an hour or two of complete solitude in your apartment. Put some music on, light some candles, maybe read, maybe just lie there listening to music, take a bubble bath...just sit still.

I also agree w/ the board games. It's a great way to forget about everything else. With a big group, Cranium is great; I also have great fun w/ the new edition of Balderdash. I'm a big fan of 2-person games, though...cribbage, rummy, scrabble, etc.

Lynn

Whenever I feel like that, I call in sick and head for the hills.... nothing like some fresh air to clear your head and recharge your nerves. Hang in there...... BTW, the NY to Iceland to London route is not so stressful ya know! Smile and then laugh for a bit... you'll feel better....

Cherie, I'll have to check out your blog; I already love your writing style.

My advice is......just DON'T stress. If you stop and think about it, you've got fun and excitement coming up; there isn't anything TO stress about. I didn't buy my ticket to Oz until one month ahead of time AND it was December. I didn't see any difference in the prices from buying way in advance to buying a month ahead. You have all the time in the world.

All that matters is that you're going and you could have the trip all planned out or not at all, but you'll still GET there, BE there, and have the experiences of a lifetime. The best part of travel is the unexpected, so don't plan and worry all the fun out.

Just enjoy the hectic schedule and all the activities you do have here. You'll miss some of it when you're gone.

One word: Beer

Thanks for the advice...I just keep getting all these questions, "Where are you going when? Do you have your schedule and hotels mapped out yet? etc" and I'm like, "Well, I'll develop a very loose schedule, but I'll be staying in hostels, and no I haven't bought my tickets, and no, I'm not traveling with everyone..." and the street from everyone else seems to be overwhelming me.

You have plenty of time to buy tickets! No worries. Take 5 minutes every once in awhile and start checking fares...but you seriously have some time.

Shit...I'm leaving in a little over a month and haven't bought my ticket yet. Guess what...prices keep going down.

Take a deep breath. Remember this is something you want to do and not something that should make you miserable!

Im going in three weeks and I only bought my tickets last week. I havent booked any hostels yet - I am keeping an eye on availability though. Im planning on booking for 4 nights in my first destination then just booking as I go.
Also I've been photocopying, collecting cutouts of places I want to go/BnA articles etc for the last couple of months then sticking in a scrapbook when I have time. Just helps to keep all your ideas together and then I'll kindof plan my travelling around those things I really want to see.

All great advice already posted. Youve got heaps of time.

I second the yoga, cranium, beer (in moderation of course) suggestions.

And yep, as mentioned above keep a piece of paper handy and write down anything you need to do/buy/take with you and tick off as you go - just dont lose the list like I did!

Two questions to ask when anyone gives you advice or asks you "Have you____yet?"

Where have you traveled before? For how long?

If their answers don't match up well with your plan, ignore everything they say. If I were you, I wouldn't even buy more than one plane ticket. Get the rest after you are on your way. Same for the hotels/hostels. Get the first few nights covered then work it out as you go. Don't forget that you are going to have LOADS of time on your hands after you shed your skin and hit the road. Save the details for then.