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5 Travel Decisions You’ll Overthink (But Shouldn’t)
By Kagiso Mthembu•January 29, 20260
From packing panic to seat selection stress, here are five travel decisions we all overthink — and why you really don’t need to.
Somewhere between clicking “Book Now” and actually leaving the house, travel has a funny way of turning confident adults into overthinking professionals. Suddenly, every small decision feels like it could make or break the entire trip. Spoiler alert: it won’t.
Here are five travel decisions we all overthink — and why it’s okay to relax a little.
Here are five travel decisions we all overthink — and why it’s okay to relax a little.
1. What Time You Leave
We convince ourselves that choosing the “wrong” departure time will ruin everything. Too early? Exhaustion. Too late? Panic. The truth is, there’s never a perfect time. Whether you’re catching a bus at sunrise or flying out after work, the journey adjusts around you. You’ll nap when you need to, snack when you shouldn’t, and arrive eventually — which is the whole point.
2. Window Seat vs Aisle Seat
This debate has ended friendships. Window seat people want views and wall support. Aisle seat people want freedom and legroom. You’ll spend days deciding, only to realise you’ll either sleep, scroll, or stare blankly regardless. The real win? Getting there. Everything else is just preference dressed up as a crisis.
3. How Much to Pack
You’ll pack “just in case” outfits you never wear, then somehow forget the one thing you actually need. Overthinking packing is a universal sport. In South Africa, you’ll likely need comfortable shoes, something warm for evenings, and a sense of humour. The rest? Borrowable, buyable, or unnecessary.
4. Whether to Plan Every Detail
Some travellers love colour-coded itineraries. Others prefer vibes and loose intentions. Both work. Overplanning can lead to stress when things don’t go exactly right, while underplanning still somehow works out. The best trips often happen in the in-between — where you have a plan, but you’re flexible enough to change it when something better comes along.
5. If the Trip Is “Worth It”
This is the big one. The internal debate. Is it worth the money, the effort, the time off? And almost every time, the answer becomes clear after you go. The memories, the reset, the stories — those things age far better than money sitting in an account. You rarely regret going. You often regret not going.
Travel isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be experienced. Missed turns, unexpected delays, awkward moments and all. The beauty of travel lies in showing up — not getting every decision exactly right.
So next time you catch yourself overthinking, take it as a sign. Not to stop — but to go anyway.
So next time you catch yourself overthinking, take it as a sign. Not to stop — but to go anyway.
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Kagiso Mthembu
Customer Experience Champion
Kagiso has a soft spot for smooth bookings, fast service, and happy customers. He’s worked across call centres, online platforms, and on-the-ground event check-ins — so when it comes to getting what you need from Computicket, Kagiso knows how to help. From ticketing tips to customer FAQs and insider tricks, He’s the friend you wish you had when plans go sideways.
Article Info
5 min read
January 29, 2026
405 words
Status: published