I used to be a travel agent and then spent seven years travelling the world full time before arriving in Australia five years ago. I had a nightmare visa run just before the world shut down (just managed to get the last flight in but my name was spelt wrong and i almost missed it, the works), and then my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I found out I was neurodivergent (AuDHD).
Since then, I struggle to even book flights even though I have to go back to the UK to see my family and my mum every year. I've been trying to book flights for my next trip back and to go to a friends wedding in Europe (which is in the middle of nowhere and involves transiting through two capital cities and a 6 hour train ride) for a week already and I keep getting anxious and psyching myself out of it. So many variables, so much emotion with visiting the family. So much stress. So much expense.
I miss the days when travel was fun and easy (or at least easier). Now I just feel broken and like I should be better at this. So thank you so much for sharing and writing this. I really needed to read it today, especially. Very much appreciate you! 💜
Just a quick add-on: you technically need a document issued by your doctor and signed by a government agency (central office for health insurance in the Netherlands) to take your ADHD meds with you when you travel, even within the EU or Schengen. It's because they're a controlled substance. I don't do it when I travel by car, but if I fly, I do. It would made me super nervous if they took my meds away going through security because I don't have the document. I googled "ADHD meds traveling" in my language (Dutch) to find out how it works in my country. It's quite annoying, because each document is only valid for the specific trip and my doctor makes me pay 10 € for it, which I find unfair. And it takes 2-6 weeks.
I love this and so agree. I can basically guarantee I’m going to have a meltdown 12-24 hours after I land. It’s not great but I at least know and understand this info. Also bringing some really basic comfort stuff (the brand of tea I like and my iPad full of the same show I’ve watched 59382 times) means I have a morning g and bedtime routine wherever I am in the world.
Wishing you the trip that you desire :) Your post made me realise why I had always disassociated in my past experiences of travelling and had weird appetite changes. I now know how to take care of myself better in future. Thank you for sharing!
This is so helpful, thank you for sharing. Many of the items in the first list I do on a day to day basis. When it comes to traveling however, it feels so daunting I lose sight of the tools and accommodations that help me. I’ll be saving this and using it as a guide. 🙏🏼
For the longest time I never understood the meltdowns in the 12-36hr window after arriving somewhere. I always found them so bewildering, and my partner too - it felt like a switch and it came from nowhere. Looking back I can obviously see and appreciate all the factors now. I will definitely consider my needs ahead of time when I plan another trip and appreciate people sharing all their insights. Thanks Charlie :)
These are some great practical tips for traveling as a neurodivergent.
Before I knew I was AuDHD, I would feel shame and embarrassment for how overwhelmed and dysregulated I felt while traveling. Now, I accept that I need to take care of myself so I can both enjoy my trip and be kind to others around me.
I'll consider incorporating some of this advice to my next trip. Thanks for sharing, Charlie and wishing you a wonderful trip.
Oh my gosh I love all these ideas. I have a ridiculous amount of anxiety around travel to the point where I avoid it but recently a number of opportunities have come my way to travel internationally. I still don't know if I'll do it but this gives me a little comfort thinking about it!
Good tips thank you! I recently wrote on here about some of the pros and cons of travelling with neurodivrergence, as I am something of a chaotic traveller with bipolar and possibly undiagnosed adhd /autism too. I'd love it if you gave it a read! :) https://joolsstone.substack.com/p/positive-sides-of-neurodivergent
I used to be a travel agent and then spent seven years travelling the world full time before arriving in Australia five years ago. I had a nightmare visa run just before the world shut down (just managed to get the last flight in but my name was spelt wrong and i almost missed it, the works), and then my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I found out I was neurodivergent (AuDHD).
Since then, I struggle to even book flights even though I have to go back to the UK to see my family and my mum every year. I've been trying to book flights for my next trip back and to go to a friends wedding in Europe (which is in the middle of nowhere and involves transiting through two capital cities and a 6 hour train ride) for a week already and I keep getting anxious and psyching myself out of it. So many variables, so much emotion with visiting the family. So much stress. So much expense.
I miss the days when travel was fun and easy (or at least easier). Now I just feel broken and like I should be better at this. So thank you so much for sharing and writing this. I really needed to read it today, especially. Very much appreciate you! 💜
Just a quick add-on: you technically need a document issued by your doctor and signed by a government agency (central office for health insurance in the Netherlands) to take your ADHD meds with you when you travel, even within the EU or Schengen. It's because they're a controlled substance. I don't do it when I travel by car, but if I fly, I do. It would made me super nervous if they took my meds away going through security because I don't have the document. I googled "ADHD meds traveling" in my language (Dutch) to find out how it works in my country. It's quite annoying, because each document is only valid for the specific trip and my doctor makes me pay 10 € for it, which I find unfair. And it takes 2-6 weeks.
I love this and so agree. I can basically guarantee I’m going to have a meltdown 12-24 hours after I land. It’s not great but I at least know and understand this info. Also bringing some really basic comfort stuff (the brand of tea I like and my iPad full of the same show I’ve watched 59382 times) means I have a morning g and bedtime routine wherever I am in the world.
Wishing you the trip that you desire :) Your post made me realise why I had always disassociated in my past experiences of travelling and had weird appetite changes. I now know how to take care of myself better in future. Thank you for sharing!
This is so helpful, thank you for sharing. Many of the items in the first list I do on a day to day basis. When it comes to traveling however, it feels so daunting I lose sight of the tools and accommodations that help me. I’ll be saving this and using it as a guide. 🙏🏼
For the longest time I never understood the meltdowns in the 12-36hr window after arriving somewhere. I always found them so bewildering, and my partner too - it felt like a switch and it came from nowhere. Looking back I can obviously see and appreciate all the factors now. I will definitely consider my needs ahead of time when I plan another trip and appreciate people sharing all their insights. Thanks Charlie :)
These are some great practical tips for traveling as a neurodivergent.
Before I knew I was AuDHD, I would feel shame and embarrassment for how overwhelmed and dysregulated I felt while traveling. Now, I accept that I need to take care of myself so I can both enjoy my trip and be kind to others around me.
I'll consider incorporating some of this advice to my next trip. Thanks for sharing, Charlie and wishing you a wonderful trip.
Oh my gosh I love all these ideas. I have a ridiculous amount of anxiety around travel to the point where I avoid it but recently a number of opportunities have come my way to travel internationally. I still don't know if I'll do it but this gives me a little comfort thinking about it!
Good tips thank you! I recently wrote on here about some of the pros and cons of travelling with neurodivrergence, as I am something of a chaotic traveller with bipolar and possibly undiagnosed adhd /autism too. I'd love it if you gave it a read! :) https://joolsstone.substack.com/p/positive-sides-of-neurodivergent