The first time I experienced travel anxiety
How I broke my 2020/21 travel anxiety virginity, what travelling during a pandemic is really like and why it’s actually really good practise for your nervous system if you can stay calm whilst in this new reality.
“I had to weight up staying here possibly dealing with a stressful 24 hours, in exchange for months of bliss. I chose the latter”.
So, as many of you would have seen on my Instagram, I had the pleasure of going to Tulum as an escape from the horrendous London Lockdowns (I’m thinking of all of you who are enduring it).
This all materialised because when we were preparing to leave our amazing ski trip in Switzerland, I was having a Monica meltdown about going back into lockdown. James, who I was with in Switzerland, was able to see just how happy the mountains and skiing made me (as it did for him), and he actually gave me the idea to try and get to Colorado. And naturally, I went full force with ensuring this happened.
Currently the UK cannot fly into the US unless you are a US citizen (which I am not, yet my brother and sister are… thanks mum and dad ;)) so you have to go somewhere else for two weeks and then enter the US.
At first I wanted to go to Canada because I was just wanting more winter wonderland vibes, but that was a no-go as their restrictions are about as tough as Australia… so the only other option was Mexico really. It wasn’t my first choice for obvious reasons, however I just needed to get out of London and this meant going ANYWHERE that gave me a sense of freedom.
It was nerve wracking making this decision. It seems easy to just be like ‘fuck it’ which is what I normally do to fly somewhere…but flying during COVID is a whole other ordeal. I have all the healed Sagittarius qualities — the main one being an avid traveler. I am at my happiest when in new places, on adventures and high up in the sky going somewhere exciting. I’ve flown a little bit during the pandemic, but found it SO stressful flying alone so I was avoiding it at all costs. The thing is — I had to weigh up staying here, or possibly dealing with a stressful 24 hours, in exchange for months of bliss. I chose the latter.
“It’s actually really good practise for your nervous system if you can stay calm whilst in this new reality.”
Whilst part of me wanted to fly out within 48 hours, I had about 2.5 weeks until I left and these 2.5 weeks really allowed me to feel prepared and calm about the trip. I focused on one trip at a time. First, I focused on just getting to Mexico and then once I was there I could respond to my intuition, the vibe and make a choice about going to Colorado.
Since covid, a lot of us are wanting more ease. The stress of things is tipping us over the edge so we are staying comfortable as a way to avoid too much of the unknown. And I totally get it. That’s why on this trip, I am choosing to respond to situations instead of planning too far in advance. I’m flowing and trusting.
These 2.5 weeks allowed us time for Sarah to get every tiny detail organised, including everything I needed to know about traveling right now, so I knew exactly what to expect. This allowed time to get my nervous system prepared and to ensure I felt ready and relaxed to leave.
The 48 hours prior to leaving was stressful. I had to move out of my house unexpectedly and pack everything up. I found myself with a lot of nervous energy, worrying about things that ordinarily wouldn’t even be a thought — if i was going to do something wrong, or get in trouble on the plane for not having hand sanitizer or something ridiculous.
And here’s the truth guys (and you can watch this IGTV too). The airport was dead, and flying was easy. The only difference is that you have to wear a mask (and get a silk one — it’s so much more comfortable so you don’t feel like you’re wearing one), have a PCR test and a return flight.
We create so much fear in our minds because it is unknown territory. There is nothing wrong with being afraid, it’s just about trusting that the other side will be bliss.
“As soon as I landed in Tulum and got outside the airport, the shift in energy was undeniable”.
The warm tropical weather, the sun on my skin and the fact that I was somewhere I knew made me feel so grounded, happy and at peace with life.
The media does a good job at making us feel scared to fly, but all you need is a reason (which sidenote, they didn’t actually ask me for at the airport).
If you want something, go get it. If you want to fly somewhere, fly. It’s actually really good practise for your nervous system if you can stay calm whilst in this new reality. Your stress adaptation will increase and you can almost use it like an embodiment exercise!
Monica Yates is a trauma healer, feminine/masculine embodiment coach and period whisperer. Monica is also the podcast host of Feminine As F*ck, editor of UNEDITED magazine and an influencer. At the age of only 25, she has built a name for herself as an expert within this realm, as well as a million dollar company. Her mission is to help women clear trauma so they can step into their magnetic feminine energy, as well as help men feel ecstasy and intimacy in the bedroom.
