I Want to Travel But I Hate Planning. Is That Normal?

You dream about wandering through Marrakech's souks. You imagine yourself sipping wine on a rooftop in Paris. You have saved destinations on Instagram that you scroll through when work gets stressful.

But then you try to actually plan a trip. And suddenly it feels like a second job.

You are not lazy. You are not disorganised. You are just overwhelmed.

The Hidden Mental Load of Trip Planning

Most people underestimate how much work goes into planning a trip. It is not just "book a flight and go."

I know this because I live it. For our Thailand trip, I spent hours dealing with Qatar Airways requirements, figuring out transfers between Doha and Thailand, speaking to the embassy about visas that were supposed to be e-visas but suddenly required physical interviews, changing hotels last minute, researching activities, and then the endless question: do we want an all-inclusive resort or do we want to go outside and experience the culture?

And the tabs. So many tabs. Thirty browser tabs open, comparing hotels, reading reviews, weighing up options. Do I want a riad for the cultural experience or a modern hotel for the comfort? Seven hours can disappear just trying to select the right accommodation.

I read reviews obsessively now because I learned the hard way. One time in Montenegro, the hotel had beautiful pictures and solid reviews, but when we arrived, the experience was nothing like what we expected. I have never fully recovered from that disappointment. So now, a lot of care goes into every decision.

The Problem of Too Many Choices

Here is what people do not talk about: the mental exhaustion is not just from the tasks. It is from the decisions.

Every single element of a trip requires you to choose:

• Which destination?

• Which dates?

• Which airline?

• Which hotel?

• Which area to stay in?

• Which activities?

• Which restaurants?

And each choice has consequences. Pick the wrong hotel, and your whole trip feels off. Book the wrong flight connection, and you spend your first day stressed instead of exploring.

One of our travellers put it perfectly. We were sorting out a flight issue together and she said, "I really hate this. I hate the process of putting in all these details and being so careful. I would rather just send you the information and have you sort it out."

She is not alone. Many of our travellers love showing up at the airport without even knowing the name of the hotel they are staying in. They just say, "We trust you." And honestly, I love that.

Why I Started TravelWithAuntie

Here is a confession: I actually enjoy the planning overwhelm. My brother once called me while I was researching a trip, and I kept him on video call for three hours. Every time I found a hotel I loved, I would squeal with excitement. "Look at this! Look at the walkway! The travel girls are going to love taking pictures here!"

Then I would get to the reviews, find something concerning, and the whole thing would start again. But I realised that what gives me energy drains other people completely.

During my postgraduate studies, I pitched TravelWithAuntie as a class project, and the response surprised me. People kept saying, "Oh my God, yes. I want to go on holiday but I do not want to plan it. Can I just go with you?"

That is when I understood: this thing I enjoy doing is a genuine problem for other people. And I could solve it.

Why This Feels So Hard

Trip planning is essentially project management. You are coordinating flights, accommodation, transport, activities, visas, budgets, and timelines. All while working your actual job and living your actual life.

And unlike other projects, the stakes feel high. You only get a few weeks of annual leave per year. You are spending real money. You do not want to waste either.

So you overthink every decision. You keep 47 browser tabs open. You ask friends for recommendations and get conflicting advice. You bookmark things "for later" and never come back to them.

Eventually, one of two things happens:

1. You spend 20+ hours planning and still feel unsure if you did it right

2. You give up entirely and the trip never happens

Neither is a good outcome.

Three Ways to Travel Without the Planning Headache

If planning is what stands between you and actually seeing the world, here are your options:

Option 1: Use someone else's itinerary

Travel bloggers post detailed day-by-day itineraries you can copy. Search "[destination] + itinerary + [number of days]" and find one that matches your style. You still have to do the bookings yourself, but at least the decisions are made.

Downside: You still handle flights, accommodation, visas, and logistics. Just less research.

Option 2: Hire a travel agent

Old school, but it works. A good travel agent handles everything. You tell them where you want to go and your budget, and they sort it out.

Downside: Good agents are expensive. And many focus on luxury travel or package holidays that feel generic.

Option 3: Join a group trip

Someone else plans the entire itinerary. Flights, accommodation, activities, and transport are handled. You show up, and everything is ready.

You also travel with a small group of like-minded people, which means built-in company and shared experiences.

Downside: Less flexibility on dates and destinations. You go when the trip runs, not whenever you want.

What Works Best for You?

If you love researching and find planning exciting, do it yourself. Some people genuinely enjoy the process.

But if planning feels like a barrier between you and the experiences you actually want, stop forcing yourself to enjoy it. Outsource it.

There is no shame in admitting you would rather someone else handle the logistics. That does not make you less of a traveller. It makes you someone who knows how they want to spend their time and energy.

Your annual leave is precious. Your money is precious. Do not let them sit unused because planning feels like too much.

At TravelWithAuntie, we design group trips so you can skip the planning and get straight to the good part. Check out our upcoming trips and see where we are heading next.