Beijing – Traveling (anxiety)

Not surprisingly, I woke up at 2 AM, a full hour before I really needed to get out of bed for my flight.

There’s always a certain level of anxiety before a trip like this, even though I travel all the time. I wonder if I packed everything I need, even though my trusted checklist hasn’t let me down in 10 years. I think about Plan B if my flight is delayed or cancelled (like it was during my last trip to Australia). I tend to rehearse in my mind what is going to happen during the trip (depending on whether I’m going on an investigation or audit, to provide training, or present at a conference).

Of course, I wake up several times wondering if I missed my alarms – both of them.

Not very Stoic, I know.

And somewhat strange because I looooove to travel.

So here I am. Sunday morning, 3:30 AM. I’ll head out early and wait for the AA Admirals Lounge to open at 5 AM.

And when all goes according to plan, I’ll be in my Beijing hotel room 24 hours later.

See you on the other side.