Unexpected anxiety

*Posts on this site may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only work with companies I truly believe in and promote brands I use myself. Please see my disclosure policy for full details. Thank you.

I’ve been struggling today and it’s just clicked why.

I’m embarking on an unexpected extra travel day. I hate travel days.

I know that must sound weird for someone who loves travel. But the main source of all my travel anxiety stems from the act itself.

I despise the process but of getting from A to B.

I get tense, have tummy issues, and generally just want to curl up in a ball and hide.

I wish I knew why, but I really don’t.

And here I am having to fly unexpectedly to catch my ship.

Instead of boarding the ship in Bergen as per the schedule, we are to fly to Trondheim and start the cruise there.

Everything has been taken care of for me by the cruise line. I really can’t fault them for how well it’s been handled. A night in a nice hotel, two meals included, all transport taken care of.

And yet I’m stuck in a constant low level panic.

Coping with Anxiety whilst Travelling

I think partly my anxiety is due to knowing the wind is strong and I don’t relish flying in it. But mainly it’s just knowing I’ll be waiting around a lot I think.

I like to be busy, on the move. Which is ironically why I’m on this trip, so I can learn to slow down and be more in the moment.

A cruise is both constantly moving yet slow paced. So it seems like a good way to balance what I love with what I need to learn. How to slow down.

Yet here I am at the first hurdle of lacking momentum and I’m panicking. Not that I think anyone could tell. It’s all very internalised and kind of isolating.

For example, I don’t want to eat despite the amazing breakfast spread at the hotel. Seriously, it’s incredible! And plenty of gluten free options as well. Yet all I can force down is some melon and a bit of salmon, every bite making me feel more nauseous.

I just want to go to sleep and wake up in my cabin on board the ship. Irrational but that’s how I feel.

Sharing my story

Anyway, I’m writing all this partly to distract myself and partly to illustrate how it’s still possible to travel.

I’m not enjoying myself right now but it’s a small part of the journey.

I know it won’t last and just have to persevere through it.

I do a bit of meditation at the hotel and try to move around a bit. Sometimes jumping or dancing helps release nervous energy.

I know I’m not really going to relax today though. Hopefully by this evening I’ll feel better, tomorrow at the latest. I usually calm down once I know I’m where I’ll be sleeping for the next few nights.

One step at a time

I do start to talk to some fellow passengers a bit as we make our way to the airport.

It’s a struggle to chat at the moment though. Plus I think I may be the youngest person on this cruise 😂 makes me wonder who is joint me snowmobiling!!

I do manage to eat and drink something at the airport. Good old Joe and the Juice, ubiquitous in airports across the world!

I make sure I’m one of the first to board the plane. Mainly as there’s unreserved seats and I really want leg room, which I achieve.

Ironically I am great in a crisis so you do want me at the emergency exit! My anxiety is fully restricted to irrational worries.

It’s a turbulent flight to say the least. I actually feel sick which is unusual for me.

But the pilot and copilot are funny and reassuring. He describes flying in this wind like going 100km over a dirt road. Then welcomes us to Majorca when we land. A little bit of silliness goes a long way.

Welcome to Trondheim

Firmly(ish) back on the ground we meet the Hurtigruten reps from our ship at last.

They are efficient and friendly. I’m starting to feel a bit better and am looking forward to getting onboard!

The lady from Hurtigruten (I won’t insult her by trying to spell her name!!) sings a lovely Norwegian welcome song to us on the bus. She has a lovely voice and really makes me smile.

Now we just need to drive half and hour through a snowstorm……

Onboard at last!

I’m going to write a full post about Hurtigruten. I really can’t fault them so far and definitely recommend them.

All the things I’d read about and was a little worried about are unfounded.

For example I’d read there’s no water provided with dinner. Untrue. Other drinks you have to buy but water is provided.

The internet works well in my cabin, and there’s even a tv! That was unexpected!

The cabin is small but perfectly comfortable for a solo traveller. I don’t recommend sharing with anyone you’re not really close with!

Dinner tonight is a buffet and my set meal time is 8pm the rest of the trip. Later than I usually eat but since I plan to stay up aurora watching it’s actually good!

The food is sensational and allergens easily identified. I have a delicious three course meal and am finally starting to relax.

I unpack and then go exploring the ship. There’s a mandatory safety briefing later so decide to treat myself to a glass of wine on the top deck whilst I wait.