Katie Rea Spiritual Direction 🌞

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal.”

Paulo Coelho

I have the heart of a traveler. Even as I am writing this, I am 700 miles from home in a hotel room with a view of the river. I love exploring new places and meeting people. Even if we just go two or three hours away from the house, I’m ready to see what adventure awaits. It can be a fulfilling experience to hike along a mountain, relax at the beach, or walk a moonlight riverwalk.

Unfortunately, travel also brings out the worst of my anxiety. If I’m not careful, I’ll anticipate several disasters before I even pack. This can make the already daunting task of traveling feel insurmountable. Luckily, I realize the benefits usually out way the hardships and while my imagination can go overboard, most of the worries I have never happen.

List Concerns and Create Action Plans

Tracking the bad with the good can help alleviate concerns.

The “what might happen game” as I call it can help me if I use it as a tool to my advantage. I list all possible concerns in my travel (and life) and find a contingency plan in case it happens.

 Afraid my wallet will get lost or stolen? I put extra money in my car or in a different travel bag. I’ll bring my passport and driver’s license and travel with them in separate places.

Afraid one of the kids will get hurt?  Carry a first aid kit in the car. (Really, everyone should do that anyway.)

If traveling by car and I worry about the car breaking down, I have a highway safety kit in the back of my car. (I have had to use it!)

Flying on a plane? We could crash. I couldn’t come up with anything there except to get a window seat and enjoy the view while falling from the sky. That isn’t entirely true. I knew my kids would be taken care of and my parents would have my sister to look out for them.  

My late father-in-law, who was an aerospace contractor, always liked flying behind the wing; those seats have statistically higher survival rates in commercial jet crashes. Guess where my husband and I sat? Yep, behind the wing.

 Also, doing shorter plane trips and building up to longer ones helped. Just a note, a flight from Nashville to Tampa is just under two hours. This beats a 10-hour drive. Speaking of statistics, according to Harvard, dying in a car crash is one in 5,000 while dying due to a plane incident is one in 11 million.

Many times, if something goes wrong, I feel prepared for it.

Planning ahead

 I used Uber alone for the first time in Oklahoma City. I was worried my phone would lose charge and I wouldn’t be able to get an Uber on my last destination. That is exactly what happened. My phone died at the last place I went to.  I was able to plan ahead and bring my phone charger. (It wasn’t until later that I found out you could reserve a car ahead of time. But even so, I had no idea how much time each destination would take me.)

Planning is the best way for me to combat anxiety. I work with my anxiety instead of against it.

Destination Unknown

My husband and I like places that are off the beaten path. Instead of going to Panama City, Florida, we will go to Apalachicola and Port St. Joe, Florida. We usually go to places that are less crowded and more relaxed. This isn’t always the case. We recently traveled to Niagara Falls to New York and Canada; visited St. Augustine, Florida; and Savanna and Tybee Island, Georgia. Even so, we also look for opportunities in more secluded and peaceful areas.   

Practice Relaxation Techniques

The airport is in constant motion with a swell of people. I find myself practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or a quick mindfulness meditation to help remain calm.  I also go early in order not to be in a panicked rush. I walked to the window where it was less crowded and watched the planes go by. I also bring a book wherever I go. Even in the most crowded places, I can lose myself in a book. In the loud plane, I watch a free movie or listen to music. Practicing a sense of calm amidst the chaos usually helps.

Practice Self-care

With that in mind…make sure you practice self-care. I used to get mad at myself when I became anxious. I could get impatient and be really mean to myself. I found out this only exacerbated the anxiety. Now, I practice self-care and learn to tune in with my body. There have been times when my worries do come true, and I have to problem solve. If I need to sit down for a second and take slow, deep breaths, I do it. If I need to rest, I rest. if I need to get out of a crowd, I find a less crowded area. If I feel triggered, I find out what I need and I try to do it. I find practical ways to take care of myself without the self-bullying.

Travel in a Group

A friend of mine who has anxiety traveling alone joins other churches or organizations to fly to new and exotic destinations. She has been all over the world. This helps her travel more comfortably and allows her to meet new friends.

I usually travel with my husband, but occasionally will go with a friend. I was wanting to go back to the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina as well as hike in the mountains. A friend approached me, and we planned a trip together there.

See a Doctor

If you suffer from anxiety, I encourage you to talk to a mental health professional. This doesn’t mean you have to take medicine. This can be a turn off for people. A therapist can sometimes help you see how you process your thoughts and what triggers your anxiety. Just talking about your concerns could help alleviate emotions you may be repressing. However, medicines have helped and are available, though it may take time to find what medicine best works for you. Be patient with the process.

Do It Anyway

Even if I’m anxious, I travel anyway. I try to travel as much as I can, even if it’s only a couple of hours from my house. It helps me to step out of my comfort zone, experience new places, meet new people, and expand my experiences. It gives me a chance to practice my hobby of photography. Most of all, I get to create wonderful memories with my loved ones.

“There is a world elsewhere.”

William Shakespeare

More Information:

How Flying Today Is Safer Than At Any Time In The Past (simpleflying.com)

The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023 (travelandleisure.com)

25 Best Hidden Vacation Spots in the US You Should Visit in 2023 (myglobalviewpoint.com)

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