What does stressing about it add?
I'm writing this as we sit on a plane that's now going into the third hour of delays. It's very easy to start getting stressed and frustrated about the hours of sleep that are being lost and the impact it will have for the next three busy days.
"It's currently 20:17. That means if we leave immediately, we'll land at 22:47. And if everything goes smoothly and the bus to the car park arrives quickly. Then maybe if I'm very lucky I'll be home by 00:00. Then my alarm will go at 5:00. So, ah stop thinking."
You totally know the drill.
Let's assume from this point my sleep will be minimal tonight and my badly planned day just got worse. Which of course, I knew all this would happen because I flew with RyanAir.
On the plus side, we paid the extortionate amount (minus a very lucky discount from Honey) for just in case the flight was delayed so we wouldn't have to deal with potentially missing the last Stanstead Express and the stress that comes with it.
Have I painted a clear enough picture of where my head currently is and you can all very much relate to exactly how I'm feeling right at this moment.
So, what am I doing and what have I done in advance to deal with it?
Currently, I'm using the time to write about three articles so I have less to do in the next few weeks. With this sudden wind of inspiration - thank you very much RyanAir!
I am enjoying the comedic value of the air host who is really going for it on stand up tonight. "if you are afraid of the dark... well, go to a psychologist - but also the light is above you"
I also have a heap of thoughts in my head from meetings today that I may have an opportunity to get onto a page now (granted, I had planned to do that anyway on this flight).
And I have a lecture on Gut Biology downloaded and ready to go for when my phone more than likely dies in 20 minutes too.
I bought food in the airport to make sure I had food before I got home, so I can get straight to bed.
I washed my face in the airport so I feel fresher than in reality is true.
I made sure I found time for a manicure later in the week to finish the week on a high!
How about in advance?
Well, as I mentioned, we opted for airport parking because we knew the flight would land late and nobody wants to faff with multiple modes of transport, bags and looming sleep debt at the same time. So we at least cut out a little stress.
I ordered a Gousto box in advance so I know dinner and lunch are taken care of from tomorrow night
I may have forgotten the flight landed so late and it wouldn't be all that helpful for lunch tomorrow, but we move.
I have a lot of coffee at home ready for the morning.
My meals are pre-planned for tomorrow so I know what I need to get at the shops for when I likely want to eat everything in the world.
No, I cannot control the fact this flight is delayed. Yes, I would love to sit and be stressed and grumpy for the duration of travel home, but my jaw would be so sore after 4 hours of grinding my teeth. So instead I wrote this to help you process frustrations and think of ways to talk yourself down from an irrelevant panic and anxiety the next time a minor inconvenience comes up.
Before you next have a busy few days, think:
What can I do in advance
What can I control
Sweet, do that and then carry on with your life.
Need help with this? Give me a shout!
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