I have been traveling since I was born - literally. I had to go see my grandparents in Poland.
I visit Europe almost every year if not more.
When I was younger I lived for the smell of the airport and airplanes because it just felt right. It gave me a sense of peace and adventure.
Traveling was my routine, I was no stranger and I knew everything about it.
Last year when I came back from Ireland I suffered the worst panic attack I have ever had. It lasted for an hour and almost prevented me from flying back home. (Thank u delayed airplanes) Which you can read about HERE!
I had some panic attacks previously but they were short and NOTHING like the one I experienced in the Philadelphia airport. I was STUNNED.
Long story short, it altered my traveling experiences. I was confused because I wasn't scared of flying. The idea of floating in air did not scare me at all, I had been doing it for YEARS. (18 to be exact)
Determined to not let my anxiety stop me from traveling, I started coping. I realized the main reasons I start feeling anxious while flying and narrowed it down to one - feeling trapped.
If you feel trapped while flying this may mean that you could feel out of control or claustrophobic. There are SEVERAL factors into feeling this way, and it can stem out to a LOT of other side effects. But after spending months and months in therapy or by myself questioning and studying
Here are some tips and tricks I've learned -
1. DRIVE!!! (if you can) Alright, this may sound completely obvious to some people, but for my family driving places is almost unheard of. Obviously we fly when going to a different country, but for even domestic trips we flew. Because of my dad's job we are able to get airplane tickets easily and cheaply(..er) . BUT because of where we live, sometimes flying can take longer or just as long as driving! I've started driving places instead of flying and it has created SUCH a sense of peace. Sometimes my family doesn't understand, but it honestly just lets me feel so much more in control and I enjoy the trip so much more when I can take my time.
2. Tell the Crew. This one can be kind of hard at times if you are like me and don't like telling the entire world about your illness or like...talking to people in general, this one can be VERY hard. Because two of the worst panic attacks i've ever had were right before boarding a plane, the crew had to know. They have been very understanding - some more than others, but nonetheless, they will do what they will be there to help. (I usually fly american/british airways and their crew are always so nice). If you are like me and feel better once someone knows that you are not feeling well, this could be all you need to keep yourself at ease while flying.
3. Bring food on the plane! Airplane food is no me gusta! If you are flying for a long period of time that requires eating a major meal on the plane, you may want to take this tip very seriously whether or not you have anxiety. I mean, they mean well with the food - and honestly, they have come a long LONG way since I started flying 19 years ago. But its still gloried microwavable plastic that you're putting into your body. This can create some weird things in your organs and can just make your anxiety even worse. Before flying I try to buy one giant snack which is usually cheese its or pretzels, and then a sandwich or something. Just by eating this food over the airplane food I have felt better and more energized. So I strongly suggest this change no matter for all people!
4. Pack smart! Packing for a trip is the equivalent of location for real estate. Packing, packing, packing. If you want to know how I pack HERE is where you can go to read about it. When flying American cross-atlantic you are allowed one carry on item and one personal item. In your personal item you basically need to pack your entire life. I keep my stuff in my personal item (which is usually a purse or backpack) because its much easier to dig around than a suitcase. In my purse I keep anything I will need during flight, which is illustrated in the article linked above. It is important that you have anything you need during a panic attack close to you just in case.
5. Know your plane. For me I always feel more at rest when I know where the bathroom is. When buying my seat I try get an isle spot which helps me feel less trapped, and preferably one close to the bathroom - just in case.
6. Bring a buddy. This could mean taking a friend along but in this case I mean something that can calm you down. For me, something I find therapeutic is petting my cats. Weird? probably... but I feel so much comfort. I can't really bring my cat to Europe with me so I bring a substitute - a little stuffed animal. This is kind of strange, I understand, but just by having something that I find peaceful with me helps a lot. I always had my little blueberry (my teddy's name. he's blue...) with me during the flight. So if you find flying hard sometimes, try bringing something that can bring you peace!
Being anxious about flying isn't something that can be fixed over night, and honestly can't be fixed with these few tips. Learning to cope is necessary but also hard and stressful. I hope this article can bring some rest to those of you who are struggling!
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Sunday, July 9, 2017
How To Pack in a Carry On for a Month in Europe
Yes, you read that title correctly. One month in Europe. One carry on.
Okay, I may have lied a little....because technically you get one carry on and one personal item.
If you have ever traveled with my dad, (which you should..hint hint. here's his website, take a peak Authentic Europe Travels! ) you will know how serious he is about his carry on luggage.
I have been to Europe....so many times. I have NEVER checked my luggage on the way. (He is more lenient with checking bags on the way back bc if lost its not a complete crisis).
All of that to say, I am literally so good at packing. There is not a suitcase that I cannot close. I can even close Sophia Fiore's bag which is a really big deal (hi sophia!!!).
So what do I bring?
First, lets start with what bags I take. I take a carry on size suitcase, which is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) according to the internet, and a personal item which is usually a purse or backpack.
In the PERSONAL ITEM - literally everything I need.
I keep my personal item close to me for easy access during my long plane rides. I am a short person so having a bag underneath the seat in front of me is not problem. I put my carry on bag in the over head compartment and my personal item in front of me.
If you open my personal item you will find about 3 to 6 cosmetic bags.
- In one of them will be my make up (shocker) which is usually close to the bottom bc I have given up on looking nice during a 12 hour flight.
- This is usually my biggest cosmetic bag so I will often try to put another couple of things in it such as my toothbrush or hair brush.
- In the second bag close the bottom will be my contacts. In order to NEVER run out of contacts I just bring a months supply of both eye bc you just never know. Also in this bag is my glasses or my glasses container depending on whether or not I'm wearing them.
- In the third bag is electronics!!! I tend to keep this bag towards the top because I don't want it to get smushed. Originally, this bag contains all of my electronics, but throughout the trip usually things get tossed around. In this bag I keep my camera (take the battery out!! this prevents it from turning on randomly and wasting the battery), the charger for the camera battery for when it does run out, memory cards!!! , a CONVERTER!!! THIS IS SO IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE WITHOUT AMERICAN PLUG INS!!!!! (which is literally everywhere but north america and some of central america...and japan.) Then at the beginning of the trip, I have my phone charger and my headphones but usually these end up in the next bag because the next bag....
- has LITERALLY ALL IMPORTANT THINGS. This includes my medicine that I need (or may need) during the flight. This includes any prescription meds, tums, airborne, ibuprofen, gas x (yeah you know what those airplanes do to you....), advil, benadryl, allergy meds, and honestly every pill you've ever taken because .... you just never know. This doesn't mean you have to take each bottle, but create a travel pill bottle out of an old pill bottle where you put a couple of each in. I take one of these everywhere, they are so handy. In this bag I also put an extra pair of contacts just in case, some gum, chapstick!!! , any feminine products you may need, some grease plotter pads or whatever they're called bc planes just make u gross, and usually by the end of the flight my charger and my earphones are in this too. I keep this bag at the top of my bag for easy access, and usually sit with it because i'll need these things during flight.
- another one that is close to the top of my bags is my LIQUIDS! If you are traveling completely carry on like I do you MUST put all of your liquids in one quart sized plastic bag. The liquids HAVE to be 3.4 ounces or 100 ml. I usually try to bring as much stick I can meaning stick deodorant and lotion (lush has great block lotions). This means my bag contains my toothpaste, my shampoo and conditioner, my acne wash, and contact solution. Sometimes I bring liquid base and I will add that to my bag.
- Important things that I usually just have floating around my bag include :
- YOUR PASSPORT!!!
- YOUR WALLET!!!
- My phone!
These are all super important and should probably have a bag of their own but they don't...
- Some random things that you may find in my bag
- underwear ... you just never know. honestly, i've never had to use these. but JUST IN CASE.
- socks bc ur feet get cold in the air!!!
- a teddy bear. u just really need one of those sometimes.
- at the bottom of the bag if its my time, you may find a giant bag full of tamps and pads. fun i know.
- sometimes a random book will fall into my bag in hopes that i may actually read it ... it never happens.
In the CARRY ON, you will find everything else.
My suitcase is two parts when opened. One side is open while the other one you can zip close. Throughout the trip as my clothes getting dirty (this means after three or four wears...or a major food spill) , I will move the dirty clothes into the other side of the suitcase.
The other side of the suitcase will hold my shoes and my coats/jackets during colder weather. Usually ends up holding my curling iron and everything else I can't fit in the first compartment.
Now this part is slightly less easy to explain because it changes from where you're going and what season you are going in.
Typically I do most of my travels during the summer. It is always important to check the weather before you pack. If you are going to more northern parts of Europe, even during the summer.
If I am packing for colder weather - LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS!
- I will usually bring two or three pairs of pants. I will usually wear leggings on the plane over and I'll wear them again during the trip. These pants are usually 1 or two pairs of denim type jeans and one black pair.
- I will bring about 1 or 2 dresses that I can wear with sweaters and leggings. This means they're usually more plain.
- For tops I will bring 1 or 2 sweaters that I can wear with everything. I'll bring one or two statement shirts and about two or three neutral shirts. My shirts are usually softer material because they tend to pack easier and are much more comfy under layers. Sometimes I'll bring a cardigan but not always.
- I bring underwear for EVERY SINGLE DAY. Don't listen to people when they say you can make it without it. YOU CAN'T. Don't think to yourself, "oh i'll just wash this in the sink" or "i'll buy some" or any other excuse. JUST PACK YOUR DANG PANTIES. they don't take up that much room. I'll usually bring one real bra and two or three bralettes.
- For shoes it is important to bring COMFY SHOES. ESPECIALLY if you are going to Europe. You will walk everywhere. I'll bring one pair of tennis shoes or sneakers and a pair of boots. Packing hack - put your socks inside of your shoes and inside of your sleeves.
For warmer weather -
- I pack about the same amount of clothes but no sweaters and probably only one pair of pants + leggings. I tend to bring a cardigan more during the summer time because its needed at random times.
- for shoes I will bring tennis shoes, booties, but also a pair or two of COMFY sandals!
- depending on where i'm going, I may also bring a swimsuit.
Also keep in mind that you are probably going to buy clothes while you are there which is why I don't go too crazy on packing.
Hope this helps you better understand packing in a little compartment for a long amount of time!
If you check your luggage. Thats a whole world that I have never experienced. Lucky you.
Okay, I may have lied a little....because technically you get one carry on and one personal item.
If you have ever traveled with my dad, (which you should..hint hint. here's his website, take a peak Authentic Europe Travels! ) you will know how serious he is about his carry on luggage.
I have been to Europe....so many times. I have NEVER checked my luggage on the way. (He is more lenient with checking bags on the way back bc if lost its not a complete crisis).
All of that to say, I am literally so good at packing. There is not a suitcase that I cannot close. I can even close Sophia Fiore's bag which is a really big deal (hi sophia!!!).
So what do I bring?
First, lets start with what bags I take. I take a carry on size suitcase, which is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) according to the internet, and a personal item which is usually a purse or backpack.
In the PERSONAL ITEM - literally everything I need.
I keep my personal item close to me for easy access during my long plane rides. I am a short person so having a bag underneath the seat in front of me is not problem. I put my carry on bag in the over head compartment and my personal item in front of me.
If you open my personal item you will find about 3 to 6 cosmetic bags.
- In one of them will be my make up (shocker) which is usually close to the bottom bc I have given up on looking nice during a 12 hour flight.
- This is usually my biggest cosmetic bag so I will often try to put another couple of things in it such as my toothbrush or hair brush.
- In the second bag close the bottom will be my contacts. In order to NEVER run out of contacts I just bring a months supply of both eye bc you just never know. Also in this bag is my glasses or my glasses container depending on whether or not I'm wearing them.
- In the third bag is electronics!!! I tend to keep this bag towards the top because I don't want it to get smushed. Originally, this bag contains all of my electronics, but throughout the trip usually things get tossed around. In this bag I keep my camera (take the battery out!! this prevents it from turning on randomly and wasting the battery), the charger for the camera battery for when it does run out, memory cards!!! , a CONVERTER!!! THIS IS SO IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE WITHOUT AMERICAN PLUG INS!!!!! (which is literally everywhere but north america and some of central america...and japan.) Then at the beginning of the trip, I have my phone charger and my headphones but usually these end up in the next bag because the next bag....
- has LITERALLY ALL IMPORTANT THINGS. This includes my medicine that I need (or may need) during the flight. This includes any prescription meds, tums, airborne, ibuprofen, gas x (yeah you know what those airplanes do to you....), advil, benadryl, allergy meds, and honestly every pill you've ever taken because .... you just never know. This doesn't mean you have to take each bottle, but create a travel pill bottle out of an old pill bottle where you put a couple of each in. I take one of these everywhere, they are so handy. In this bag I also put an extra pair of contacts just in case, some gum, chapstick!!! , any feminine products you may need, some grease plotter pads or whatever they're called bc planes just make u gross, and usually by the end of the flight my charger and my earphones are in this too. I keep this bag at the top of my bag for easy access, and usually sit with it because i'll need these things during flight.
- another one that is close to the top of my bags is my LIQUIDS! If you are traveling completely carry on like I do you MUST put all of your liquids in one quart sized plastic bag. The liquids HAVE to be 3.4 ounces or 100 ml. I usually try to bring as much stick I can meaning stick deodorant and lotion (lush has great block lotions). This means my bag contains my toothpaste, my shampoo and conditioner, my acne wash, and contact solution. Sometimes I bring liquid base and I will add that to my bag.
- Important things that I usually just have floating around my bag include :
- YOUR PASSPORT!!!
- YOUR WALLET!!!
- My phone!
These are all super important and should probably have a bag of their own but they don't...
- Some random things that you may find in my bag
- underwear ... you just never know. honestly, i've never had to use these. but JUST IN CASE.
- socks bc ur feet get cold in the air!!!
- a teddy bear. u just really need one of those sometimes.
- at the bottom of the bag if its my time, you may find a giant bag full of tamps and pads. fun i know.
- sometimes a random book will fall into my bag in hopes that i may actually read it ... it never happens.
In the CARRY ON, you will find everything else.
My suitcase is two parts when opened. One side is open while the other one you can zip close. Throughout the trip as my clothes getting dirty (this means after three or four wears...or a major food spill) , I will move the dirty clothes into the other side of the suitcase.
The other side of the suitcase will hold my shoes and my coats/jackets during colder weather. Usually ends up holding my curling iron and everything else I can't fit in the first compartment.
Now this part is slightly less easy to explain because it changes from where you're going and what season you are going in.
Typically I do most of my travels during the summer. It is always important to check the weather before you pack. If you are going to more northern parts of Europe, even during the summer.
If I am packing for colder weather - LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS!
- I will usually bring two or three pairs of pants. I will usually wear leggings on the plane over and I'll wear them again during the trip. These pants are usually 1 or two pairs of denim type jeans and one black pair.
- I will bring about 1 or 2 dresses that I can wear with sweaters and leggings. This means they're usually more plain.
- For tops I will bring 1 or 2 sweaters that I can wear with everything. I'll bring one or two statement shirts and about two or three neutral shirts. My shirts are usually softer material because they tend to pack easier and are much more comfy under layers. Sometimes I'll bring a cardigan but not always.
- I bring underwear for EVERY SINGLE DAY. Don't listen to people when they say you can make it without it. YOU CAN'T. Don't think to yourself, "oh i'll just wash this in the sink" or "i'll buy some" or any other excuse. JUST PACK YOUR DANG PANTIES. they don't take up that much room. I'll usually bring one real bra and two or three bralettes.
- For shoes it is important to bring COMFY SHOES. ESPECIALLY if you are going to Europe. You will walk everywhere. I'll bring one pair of tennis shoes or sneakers and a pair of boots. Packing hack - put your socks inside of your shoes and inside of your sleeves.
For warmer weather -
- I pack about the same amount of clothes but no sweaters and probably only one pair of pants + leggings. I tend to bring a cardigan more during the summer time because its needed at random times.
- for shoes I will bring tennis shoes, booties, but also a pair or two of COMFY sandals!
- depending on where i'm going, I may also bring a swimsuit.
Also keep in mind that you are probably going to buy clothes while you are there which is why I don't go too crazy on packing.
Hope this helps you better understand packing in a little compartment for a long amount of time!
If you check your luggage. Thats a whole world that I have never experienced. Lucky you.
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