The Moment I Realised Travel Anxiety Was Ruining My Trips

I’m writing this from a ferry between Lombok and Bali, with an Indonesian horror movie playing on repeat. Now, let me tell you, I hate horror movies. But for some reason, the eerie sound effects keep pulling me in. It’s that weird feeling of not wanting to look but also needing to.

And honestly? That’s how I used to feel about travelling. I loved the idea of it, but the reality? Pure travel anxiety. The unknowns, the logistics, the “what-ifs”, it all felt overwhelming. But after a year of full-time travel, I’ve finally learned to relax (a little) and actually enjoy the experience.

Here’s what helped me get there

Knowledge is Power (And Anxiety’s Worst Enemy)

Most of my stress came from the unknown. How do I get from the airport? How do I get cash? What if something goes wrong? The questions would spiral, making my brain a chaotic mess. Travel anxiety thrives on uncertainty, but knowledge helps fight it.

How to Overcome This:

• Research Before You Go: A little prep work goes a long way. Look up transport options, local payment methods, and common scams before you land. We use Wise card, and it has made our lives so much better. 
• List Your Worries: Write down what’s stressing you out and tackle them one by one. Knowing you have answers reduces travel anxiety significantly.
• Have a Backup Plan: Things might still go wrong, but having some knowledge in your back pocket helps you pivot quickly.

Travel Tech That Actually Makes a Difference

When I first started travelling, I read Nomadic Matt’s book, How To Travel The World on $50 a Day,(*he has now published a new book, How to Travel the World on $75 a Day) and was amazed at how he managed without all the tech we have today. Back then, things were different—no instant maps, no eSIMs, no translation apps in your pocket.

But now? Technology has made travel so much easier, and I can’t imagine navigating new places without these lifesavers:

Essential Tech Tools for Travellers:

• eSIMs for Instant Connectivity: Airport Wi-Fi is unreliable. We use Eskimo Global, and when that’s unavailable, we switch to Airalo or Truely. No more SIM card hunts. (Check them out if you want a stress-free solution!)
• Google Maps Offline Mode: Download maps ahead of time so you’re never lost, even without data.
• Google Translate: Perfect for navigating language barriers with ease.

Keeping Things Organised Saves Your Sanity

I obsessively check for my passport, wallet, and phone every five minutes on travel days, so much so that I even made a reel about it. If you’re anything like me, having a system in place helps reduce travel anxiety.

My Personal System for Travel Days:

• Sling Bag for Essentials: Wallet and travel cards stay in one spot, so I never have to dig around.
• Passport Placement: Always in my carry-on until I land, then it moves to my pocket.
• Phone & Other Valuables: In my pocket for easy access.

Dealing with Social Anxiety While Traveling

I’m that person who prefers to sit quietly in a corner, wearing neutral colours to blend in. The thought of navigating new social environments used to stress me out, but I’ve learned a few tricks.

What Helped Me:

• Most People Are Friendly: The world isn’t out to get you. I’ve found that a simple smile often results in a nod or a smile back.
• Blending In is Okay: You don’t always have to stand out. If keeping a low profile makes you comfortable, do it.
• Confidence comes with Experience: The more you travel, the more natural your interactions with locals and fellow travellers become.

Travel Days Can Be Stressful, But They Don’t Have to Be

Catching flights, checking baggage weight, and dealing with airport security, travel days used to send my travel anxiety through the roof. But I’ve found a system that helps.

How I Stay Calm on Travel Days:

• Pack Light: My mantra is less is more. We are mindful of our needs, and we carry only those things that we use. If we notice any dead weight, it gets discarded immediately. We have made this packing list to keep our carry-on and check-in luggage below the required luggage. 
• Use a Travel Checklist: My must-haves: passport, wallet, phone, noise-cancelling headphones, motion sickness meds, snacks. If it’s not on the list, I don’t stress about it.
• Arrive Early & Relax: Rushing makes everything worse. Having lounge access (thanks, Priority Pass) makes waiting more enjoyable.

You’re Not Alone in This

If travel anxiety has ever stopped you from fully enjoying a trip, trust me, you’re not alone. It’s something I still work on every day. But with the right mindset, preparation, and tools, it does get easier.

What’s Your Biggest Travel Anxiety?

Do you stress about flights? Packing? People? Let me know, I’d love to hear. Maybe I have a hack for it, or maybe we can figure one out together. Safe travels (and hopefully no horror movie marathons, unless you’re into that).

Our Essential Travel Gear

CamelBak eddy+ Water Filter Water Bottle by LifeStraw Integrated 2-Stage Filter Straw 
This one purchase has truly transformed our travels. After visiting 19+ countries, we never had to worry about staying hydrated because this stainless steel water bottle has our back. It’s leak-proof, so you can toss it in your bag without a second thought!

Travel Insurance
Make sure to research a solid travel insurance policy before jetting off to any country. We’ve been with SafetyWing since the beginning of our journey, and they’ve provided top-notch customer service. Based on our experience, we can confidently recommend them!

eSIM 
This has been a game-changer for us! When we started our 625-day adventure, I was initially overwhelmed by the pricing and limited data options. But switching to eSIM while in Istanbul has been a lifesaver! It offers instant connectivity as soon as you land in a new country. Roaming and local SIMs can be tricky, but eSIMs are seamless and super easy to install before you even arrive. We’ve tried both Eskimo and Airalo and recommend them! If you purchase through our link, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you, and we’d really appreciate the support!

Carry-On luggage 
Seriously, this bag feels bottomless! It fits so much stuff, and I’m amazed every time I pack. We initially bought one for Sagar for our Japan trip last November, and after seeing how much he loved the design and pocket accessibility, I just had to get one too! If you’re after a stylish, long-lasting bag, this is it. It’s a bit pricey, but after using it daily for the past seven months, it’s been worth every penny.

Wise Card
What did we do before this card? It’s been a blessing! Transferring money is super easy with minimal fees, and the user-friendliness is next level. Highly recommend it!

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. It helps support our work and keeps this blog going.