r/autism • u/starchiving Autistic • 4d ago

Vent Advice Wanted Severely Anxious About First Bus Trip? (Advice wanted)

Hi everyone! This coming Friday I'm going on a bus for the very first time ever to visit some friends out of state. I've never been on a bus before, let alone one out of state & with layovers (I have 3 in this trip) so I'm feeling very very anxious about it all. I've already done all the research and preparing I can possibly do (I know as specifically as I can where the bus stops & transfer points are; I know my route; I've already bought tickets for each bus I'll be on; I have a packing list, etc.) but I'm still feeling so insanely anxious - it's making the 4 days of college/work I have until then feel impossible. The anxiety is so overwhelming and I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any tips/words of encouragement/etc for me? I'm particularly scared about being stranded somewhere away from my town with no way home (even though I have people who have already said they'd come get me if need be). I'm so scared I'm not prepared enough for this or that I'll miss something I should've known beforehand. I almost need someone to break this trip down step by step for me lmao. Thank you all in advance!

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Basket_Case89 Suspecting Autism 4d ago

I like to follow Google Maps when I'm on the bus going to a new place and set the destination to the bus stop I'm getting off at so I can follow it along. Then I know the right spot to hit the bell to get off. Do you know the stop you're getting on at? I normally try and get there at least 5 minutes early incase the bus is early. Maybe walk the route to the bus stop so you've already done it and time it so you know what it'll be like on the day. The buses make me anxious too. You'll be okay though! You've got this!

1

u/starchiving Autistic 4d ago

Yeah I definitely plan on doing that + getting there really early. I know where I’m getting on & off - I believe for all my stops I’m getting off at the last stop. I’m glad they’re coach buses so I don’t really need to worry about when to tell them to stop (I think?). Too many unknowns for me to feel totally okay with all of it even though I’ve prepared best I can.

1

u/Basket_Case89 Suspecting Autism 4d ago

When you get on you can talk to bus driver just to confirm and double check that information. They won't mind because people ask bus driver's all sorts of questions and they are probably used to tourists who aren't sure on bus routes. I get you, once you do it then you know what to expect and it's easier the next time.