Day 7- Bratislava Train Station

 Hi all, I begin this piece from Bratislava Central Station, awaiting my delayed train to Budapest, city number 4 of the trip.

Travelling- it all has its ups and downs but I've got to say, having started my "30 countries before 30" ambition (albeit probably prematurely) at the beginning of the year, the phrase "quality over quantity" really rings true on th

is trip I've been doing.

18 nights, (excluding two stopovers if we're being pedantic), in 9 countries, all of which I have never visited before. It all sounds a bit like a condensed version of Race Across The World- and to be honest, the stress of getting from one place to another within a set amount of time does feel comparable with what I'm experiencing now- even with pre-booked accommodation and flights! Because in hindsight, I haven't really given myself much time to rest, because it's go, go go! The need to make the most of seeing countries I've never visited versus trying to not get burnt out from the busyness of it all is an equilibrium I've not quite managed to sort out yet. 

I've been in a good place mentally this year, and would attribute that down to pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. At the beginning of the year, I made a resolution to say yes to more things- be it by doing a big challenge or by doing something more trivial like not procrastinating over doing my washing! :) My challenge for this year resulted in travelling solo across 3 countries I'd never visited before- all arranged by yours truly ;) I did it to show myself that I could do something that I'd previously thought I'd have been incapable of doing.

And it was hugely beneficial- I got the travelling bug, and also enjoyed the solo side of it , because it meant that I could be in charge of my own schedule- which reassured me, and definitely does not in any way relate to the characteristics of fellow neurodivergent, Sheldon Cooper ;)

But it's that neurodiversity that whilst it can be helpful many ways, can also be a hindrance when things don't quite go to plan. It can exaggerate dysregulation, so when issues pile up (like they did in Vienna at the weekend with things ranging from experiencing stomach discomfort, to fretting about unlocking my apartment door (which definitely didn't take an hour to do that evening before!!), panic attacks can arise- and in my case, it was a big'un!

The inflexibility of being somewhere you've never been to before, and not having that safe space to go to, felt like a personal implosion at that moment in time. "You're not at home now, Tom!" (In its best Paddy McGuinness voice) Let the Panic see the Attack!". For me, it's difficult to not have that back up plan, because in the moment, your brain isn't functioning properly, and at that moment in time, you feel like you could do anything from wanting to speak to family or friends (sensible), to bawling your eyes out and yelling "WOE IS ME!!!!"at the top of your lungs! (not sensible). So, in a tangential way, the feeling of inescapability has bitten me on the bum a few times during this trip.

In hindsight, I have questioned my sanity at times during this trip. (Enter internal dialogue) A maximum of 7 nights away doing a solo trip? Yeah sure, I can do 18! Not quite as easy as I'd preempted. But, the more chilled out Tom, now Budapest-bound (at time of drafting), is now of a different mindset compared to when at Bratislava Station! But still, by God, it won't stop me from getting some R & R at those spa baths- bring it on!!!

Til next time,

T :)

Psst I'm too tired to add pics tonight, so you're just going to have to make do with a wodge of text.