Fears which stop you from travelling

The date of my departure for my first Erasmus trip is almost here... And although I have been dreaming of going abroad since I was at school, the famous date was getting closer, and suddenly I was afraid.

Worries about admin, my family, if I would hurt myself or whatever... Anyway, these thoughts are perfectly normal -which I know will quickly go away- but it's inspired me to write this article.

I therefore started to think about several concerns, mental blocks we might have before leaving, and which could stop us from having an amazing experience, (please note that here I'd like to talk about travelling in general and not only Erasmus in particular).

For example, have you ever come across a video on YouTube, a film, an article, a blog or a beautiful picture, and you say to yourself "it would be amazing to visit that place!", but you feel there's something stopping you from going for it?

Well I hope that this article written with love, will be useful and will remove any mental block.

Anyway, if you're feeling apprehensive about travelling, but you want to travel, this article is for you.

Happy reading!

First of all, one of the first stages of confronting your fears is to recognise them.

Try to dig deep inside to find the source of your fear and determine if it makes sense or not.

I've selected the most common fears, but my list isn't in any way complete. I hope that it will serve as a model for other possible fears!

Afraid of your first trip

For your first trip, it may be useful to choose a place which is close to home and your culture. If you have never travelled in your own country, why not steer towards the opposite side for a long weekend, just to test the water?

Or better still, choose another country where you can at least communicate with the locals. If you're afraid of travelling, booking a trip to China or Africa, where the cultures are very different to western ideology, could be unsettling for your first time.

Afraid of going alone, of travelling alone

I'd like to say that when we go on our own, we're never actually alone (yes okay, putting it like that doesn't make much sense), but it's because we're alone that we end up meeting people, and making new friends more easily, as we are more open.

Believe me, by going on holiday or a trip with someone you know very well (especially if it's one of your best friends) we have a tendency to be more isolated towards those we meet. And if you want to meet new people, you have to speak about it with the people you go with, to make it clear and know if they only want to spend time with just you.

Anyway, that's just to say the bigger the group you are, the less chance you have of making unforgettable connections with others!

Afraid of catastrophes, people, crime you see on the TV

The media doesn't show the good things which happen in the world, only the bad.

If the information you see on the Internet or on YouTube worries you or makes you anxious, stop reading it before you go away.

There's a difference between uselessly worrying that the world isn't safe and planning on keeping safe like you should do at home.

Fear of the unknown and the unexpected

If you're afraid of the unknown and the unexpected, plan your itinerary.

If you drive to your destination, sit down with a piece of paper and plan what you're going to do each day. Book your accommodation and make note of some restaurants nearby. If you go by public transport, by boat or by plane, confirm your booking a few days before your departure.

Leave enough time to get there early and have a plan B in case you're late.

The more you plan for your trip, the more flexibility you'll have and perhaps you'll end up completely letting go and loosening up!

Moreover, good preparation will make you more excited and invested in your trip, instead of being afraid.

Another tip if you're apprehensive about the unknown, is to find out about what to expect: do some research on the Internet about your hotel. Consult the layout of your cruise ship or the seating plan for the plane or train. Find out where the facilities and safety equipment are. Familiarise yourself with the safety procedures.

Finally, don't forget to visualise it all in your mind. Imagine yourself about to go over all the main stages of your trip. See yourself walking around the airport, sitting down at your gate, and getting onto the plane. Imagine yourself gliding through the urban traffic with no problem and finding the perfect parking space. Visualising the success of your trip builds trust and reduces stress.

Fear of financial issues

One fear which many people have is of their finances. It's a very understandable fear, and it's what bothers me the most too.

However, creating a budget can be the solution. You don't have to fork out €100 a night for a room in a hotel, or €15 for every meal. Take the time to search for great offers and book something once you see something affordable. I've actually written an article with little tips for travelling on a budget, here on this Link .

The best way to get over this fear is to act long term. Put a little money aside for your trip every month. When it comes to it, it will be so much more satisfying because you will have worked hard for it.

When you're preparing for your trip and planning your budge, add on 25% more of what you think you need, just to be sure you won't have any unwanted surprises.

Another solution to this problem would be to give your money to a friend at home who can send it to you via 'Western Union'. That way, you can travel more calmly, and you won't have to worry about money!

Fear of the language barrier and of not being able to communicate or understand

This fear is completely normal. It's horrible to find yourself in a difficult situation and not be able to ask for help. But let me reassure you, you won't need to speak the native language of the country to explore it. Just doing a bit of preparation by learning the basic words (hello, goodbye, please, thank you, where are the toilets?, I'm lost, help, etc. ) in their native language is enough. You can use a phrasebook or an application to help.

Afraid of catastrophe striking while you're there

You may think it's too dangerous to travel at that moment, of course I can't deny that bad things do happen, but it's not going to suddenly happen when you go!

Because if we think about it, we realise that lots of catastrophes could happen in our hometown.

Not regarding the plane, of course, but your car or the bus you take to get to work could easily break down. Or the driver could lose control on the road.

Treat your fears as you would any other risk in your everyday life.

If you wish to take necessary precautions, consult the travel news from your government before booking your trip. If a certain country is considered dangerous, choose a different destination.

Afraid of managing the logistics

Do you not like managing the logistics of your research and reserving your accommodation, transport, and outings? Do you get the feeling that you're going crazy? You're not alone in this case, and it stops many of us from daring to explore the world.

The thing is, you don't have to do it by yourself! You can go on an organised tour booked in advance. All you have to do is to get on board and let them guide you.

But even if you have to plan things yourself, the Internet is there to help you!

All the information is there. Travellers around the whole world share their advice and tips on how to travel on a limited budget easily. And you can even find a complete itinerary! That can be more helpful than you think.

Afraid of all the admin

With regard to the admin of a trip, it can seem like a whole lot of business to take care of, especially if you've never travelled before. But the basics you really need to go on an adventure are just your passport, insurance, spending money and organised transport. You may also need a visa to travel.

If you're thinking about going on an adventure, have a look at what needs to be done before leaving. You may need to do a lot of admin and preparation and you need patience to not become overwhelmed.

You really need to do it step by step!

Afraid of not having enough time

A lack of time is one of the main reasons why people end up postponing their dream holidays. We are so stuck in our daily routine that we forget about the opportunities and possibilities which are offered to us.

Use the time you have. You can even start being a tourist in your own country. Go and discover all the tourist attractions you've never visited. Why not try a short organised trip? It's also possible to go away on an adventure for a weekend or a week...

Fear of losing your job

Another common fear of travelling is the fear of distancing yourself from your job. You have deadlines, projects to carry out and emails to send.

The first thing to do: breathe deeply and realise that the world isn't going to end just because you've been away for a week or even a few months.

What helps me is to make a list of everything I need to do in the upcoming weeks, then make sure I have the time to do them to suit the date of my trip. That enables me to stop worrying and know that everything is in order.

Another strategy to get over the fear of travelling is to turn this worry into excitement.

Because after all, travelling brings a huge amount of benefits: it makes you more adaptable, you become a better planner, refine your negotiation skills and you become more able to resolve problems. Furthermore, you improve your budgeting skills, just like a bigger vision of the world will improve your conversation skills. And the more you travel, the more you will grow up.

Fear of not feeling comfortable

Being at home is so comfortable... You know what you like to eat, you know how to get around. The fact is that you also miss out on lots of things by staying in your comfort zone. If you take part in a guided tour with a lovely hotel and means of safe transport, how can it really be bad? Even if you have one or two uncomfortable encounters, it will be something to tell people about at home. In fact, you may even discover that you like pushing the boundaries. You never know, you could surprise yourself!

Afraid of feeling uncomfortable with strangers

Who isn't at least a little bit? It's strange to meet new people and have small discussions, but with time, it gets better and it can even become a really fun game!

From the experiences I've had, going away or travelling with people we've only just met or got to know makes some of the best experiences. And I say that honestly!... If you find it hard to engage with new people, perhaps it's something you need to improve on. When you spend a few days on a bus with the same group of people, you have the time to talk a little with everyone. So, if you're a bit rusty when it comes to social interaction, it's the perfect time to use it as a game and to give it your all to come out of your comfort zone. The bonus here is that you get to go home with a group of friends from around the world.

Fear of being ill during your trip

We can all agree that being ill is never nice, especially when we're far from home.

Before travelling, think about consulting your doctor and make sure you have received all the vaccinations and the booster jabs you need to travel to your chosen destination.

Talk to your doctor about the symptoms you should look out for if you don't feel well while you're away. Also, don't forget to take out travel insurance.

But most importantly, take care of yourself, pamper yourself with good physical care, good food and lots of love.

Fear of getting lost

Who hasn't already got lost somewhere? And yes, it's not exactly a fun experience either.

Combining it with the linguistic barrier, the time difference, and the different laws, getting lost can soon become a nightmare.

But I reassure that you by staying alert and focused, taking precautions, and looking at the situation with an adventurous eye, it doesn't have to be so bad.

There's no sure way to avoid getting lost, but having a GPS (like Google Maps) and good paper maps on your trip can help you to fix it most of the time. If you find yourself somewhere with no signal, take out your useless hotel card, call the hotel or find a police station and ask for help.

Afraid of thieves

Some people are more than ready to lighten your pocket of your spending money, camera, passport, and credit cards...

But keep in mind that thieves target tourists: you can avoid this by hiding your money and travel documents in a money belt or a small bag, especially pay particular attention when you go to places where thieves gather (at Notre Dame in Paris, for example).

And try to mix with the locals rather than standing out as a typical tourist. Leave some money at your parents' or friend's house in case the worst were to happen, so that they can send you money via 'Weston Union'.

To finish off, a little piece of advice from a friend, rest well and stay hydrated: sleep enough the nights before your trip. Take water with you on your whole trip with some salted snacks. Exhaustion and dehydration make it more difficult to face challenges.

And there you have it! I hope you like this, and I wish you a great adventure!

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