Travelling Tips: Empowering ED Advice You Need To Hear

I’ll be honest with you: travelling in recovery is hard. Even the thought of travelling can feel overwhelming.

But with the right preparation and mindset, you can be on your way without second-guessing every step or feeling weighed down by stress.

I have recently come back from a week’s holiday in Mallorca. I haven’t been on holiday since long before COVID.

While the pandemic put travelling on hold for everyone, once restrictions eased, most people could start exploring again. But I spent those years in and out of hospitals, fighting for my life.

So, saying that I have just come back from a week away feels like (and it is) an amazing achievement. But it took some planning and mental preparation, and I want to share how I did it with you.

What Helped Me While Travelling

1) MINIMISING STRESS

My mum left the decision to me — whether I wanted to come or not.

It took a lot of mental energy to say yes. I didn’t feel ready, and even now, back in Germany, I’m not sure I do feel ready, despite having done it.

One thing that helped was imagining the worst-case scenarios and thinking through how I could handle them.

For example, one of my biggest fears was not finding snacks I would enjoy eating. So I made sure to pack all my favourite snacks, just in case.

Even though I didn’t end up eating all of them, because I challenged myself to spontaneous ice cream, it took a huge weight off my shoulders just knowing I had something familiar and comforting with me.

2) VISUALISATION

Before the trip, I took some time to visualise the experience — both the challenges and how I might respond. I imagined myself staying calm, stepping away if needed, and using my coping techniques.

Visualisation became one of my strongest tools — it helped me see that I had options.

Though I did have to keep reminding myself that what I was imagining might not even happen. In truth, I was projecting my worries into the trip before it had even begun.

And often, the reality turned out to be much gentler than the story in my head.

3) SHARING

It can often feel like you’re facing your fears, worries, and discomforts completely alone.

But you’re not alone.

I know not everyone has a close relationship with their family, or maybe you don’t know many people you can open up to — but I bet there’s at least one person, object, or space where you can feel safe.

I am very fortunate to have amazing parents who support me. But if it wasn’t them, I would talk to my childhood teddy, Rosie, journal, or even create an imaginary safe space in my mind.

And honestly? Sometimes I simply talk to myself, because no one knows you as well as you do.

And you’re not weird for doing that.

It’s more normal than people think. One study showed that 96% of adults have an internal dialogue, and around 25% of people talk to themselves out loud.

So if you find it helpful to just let all your worries out, don’t be afraid to talk to yourself because you deserve to be heard, even if it’s by you!

4) WRITE IT DOWN

Sometimes it’s hard to put what we’re feeling into words — either because we fear being judged, misunderstood, or simply because we don’t even fully understand it ourselves.

Our minds can feel like a tangled mess of thoughts and emotions.

That’s why I find journaling so helpful.

I don’t try to make it perfect or even logical — I just let the words flow, uncensored and messy. Often, by the time I finish, it feels like a hundred kilos have been lifted off my shoulders.

And when I read it back, I sometimes discover what’s been bothering me all along.

Drawing can help, too.

You don’t need to be Picasso — just let your hand move however it wants.

When I was feeling deeply homesick, I created a beautiful piece of art and called it My Ocean. The dark blue captured the sadness I felt, while the gold lines represented the tiny moments of joy in knowing I had people I loved waiting for me at home.

Quick recap – what helped me while travelling in recovery:
• Visualise challenges — and how you’ll respond
• Pack familiar snacks
• Talk to someone (even if it’s yourself)
• Journal or draw your emotions
• Be proud of every step, no matter how small

Travelling in recovery isn’t easy — but it is possible. And each step you take, no matter how small, is something to be proud of. Just the fact that you’ve decided to go — even if it feels wrong or scary at first — is incredibly brave.

Remember that you are not alone in this, and you deserve to experience joy, freedom, and rest. Have fun, try to relax, and allow yourself to make new memories — ones where your ED doesn’t get a seat at the table.