Planning too much can be a big problem that can cause chaos and worry in your mind. Too often, people can plan every little detail of their trip, so they end up with anxiety because they don’t know how they are going to see it all. The truth is that planning too much is not good. However, you are probably like many people who aren’t so sure if you are this type of person. Examining yourself will help you to find out whether you are guilty or not.
Are You Guilty of Planning Too Much Before You Travel?
-You are constantly worried
You know that you are guilty of this problem if you worry about your trip a bit too much even before it has even come. Worry and fear are two negative feelings that you will experience constantly throughout the weeks leading up to the trip, but this is the reason why you need to stop with your over planning.
-You look at your itinerary too much
If you pay too much attention to your overall itinerary, then you will definitely have problems later on. This is something that plenty of people experience, so try to avoid it as best as you can.
-You plan out every second of the trip
This is a problem that is very tough to overcome, but it is a sure sign of too much planning. It is where you plan too much and you plan every detail of your trip; a sure sign of an addictive planner.
How To Overcome The Over Planning
-Plan everything and let it go
This technique is extremely powerful to use. The truth is that planning your trip isn’t that tough, and simply setting it all up is already good enough. The trick is to plan out everything, make sure that it is ready, and then forget about the planning. Of course, you need to make that the entire itnerary is alright and fixed, but there is no need to stress and over plan the entire thing and constantly look over the itinerary.
-Add extra days to your trip
If you get the chance to go for several more days, you can relax more often throughout the trip. Usually if you try too hard to fit everything into your trip, you will find yourself over planning and having too hard of a problem to fit all the nice attractions in. Instead, try to add a few extra days to each place that you visit so that you have many days for touring and having some downtime.
-Remember the wisdom of Robert Burns!
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley” In other words, no matter how hard you plan, something will go wrong! Don’t panic over this however! Just come to terms with the fact that not everything will run smoothly. Buses will be delayed, there will be unexpected rain, you will meet people you don’t like etc. Acknowledging this from the start will prevent it being overly traumatic when it happens!
Planning your trip and budget is completely normal. However, you really need to make sure that you know how to plan and not to over plan. The tricks above for not over planning can be extremely helpful for you in the long run. They can help remove all the worry, fear, and scared feelings of not having a good vacation. Once that basic itinerary is fixed, you can be sure to have a trip that is planned out well.
My wife is this way. She plans, re-plans and plans again. It makes it really stressful for all of us and we end up fighting over it.
Uggg. I can’t stand being around people that feel the need to schedule something for every freaking moment of the day. My itinerary for the majority of my travel days includes: “wander north. See (insert monument/church/site) ???” That way I have an idea of the direction to want to go and what there is to see in that direction. It makes for a great day of people watching and taking in the essence of a city.
I love planning, but I think I may have OCD. I like the structure and drive that it gives my vacations.
My mom was a “helicopter parent” and constantly hovered around my sister and I planning every waking moment of our childhood. I hated every moment of it.
Planning takes the fun and spontaneity out of life and travel. Boo to planning, yay to randomness!