> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://pete.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Avoiding being overwhelmed by travel - URL: https://pete.news/hellocomputer/avoiding-being-overwhelmed-by-travel/ - Published: 2024-08-25T19:06:49.000Z - Updated: 2024-08-25T19:06:49.000Z - Description: The complexity of travel can lead me to autistic overload. Is it possible to avoid it? - Author: Pete Carr - Tags: #HelloComputer, HelloComputer, Autism, travel, overload --- # Avoiding being overwhelmed by travel In a few weeks, my wife and I are off to a beach in Croatia followed by art in Berlin. We travel by train because travel by map isn’t supported by iOS yet. That means a train to London, to France, to Germany, to Croatia and then back again. It’s a fair few trains. Now, I love a good train as much as the next autistic person but it’s a lot of trips that can leave me overwhelmed. I have a Nintendo Switch, an OG model, that can help with distraction. I would dearly love a Steam Deck as I could lose myself in Baldur’s Gate for the trip, but they don’t fall out of cereal boxes like they should. So I’m left wondering, what other ways can I occupy my brain? Books? I’m not much of a reader and I need more stimulus than they can offer. Video games are good because there are visuals, audio, stories, something to get stuck into and ADHD dopamine triggers. I don’t get that from reading. I could take my laptop and edit photos but I like the idea of disconnecting from it for a while. There’s sketching, maybe. That requires something visual to stay still while I draw it, and my go to of life models are possibly problematic on a train. These things are hard to search for online. Any articles on stim toys for adults are buried under ones for kids. I guess people are writing for those who have money to spend, which is silly because [autism is hereditary](https://media.gosh.nhs.uk/documents/Genetics%5Fof%5FAutistic%5FSpectrum%5FDisorders%5FF1841%5FTEMP%5FOct15.pdf) and kids grow into adults so maybe some guides for adults? When Google isn’t recommending articles on stim toys for kids, it offers shopping results including travel vibrators. I mean, technically yes. An adult stim toy. Sure. Not exactly what I was looking to fidget with on the train though. I found a few helpful links; - [Travelling by train or bus](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transport/travelling-by-train-or-bus) - [How to Prepare a Person with Autism for Train Travel](https://theabilitytoolbox.com/autism-train-travel/) - [How to Prepare for a Train Journey If You Have Sensory Issues](https://theabilitytoolbox.com/prepare-train-journey-sensory-processing/) - [Cuddly Weighted Stuffed Animals for Kids and Adults to Hug](https://theabilitytoolbox.com/weighted-stuffed-animals/) - [My fidget and stim sensory box! – 21andsensory](https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/2018/09/19/my-fidget-and-stim-sensory-box/) - [Sterling Silver Fidget Rings – Boho Magic Jewelry](https://boho-magic.com/en-gb/collections/spinner-rings) - [Magnetic Think Ink Fidget Pen](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08M3LTLG3) - [ONO Roller - Handheld Fidget Toy for Adults](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ONO-Roller-Handheld-Promotes-Portable/dp/B0C2X48134?crid=1OJY6C00XNTT1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jUaIr7ABoowg-nXDNiMnJE3XVGFHSEKXlZYyWM7unaw8WUg-LQFIZZSNJnjWOoGpWq\%5Fy0MKsjoy5QuSAAPApHDgZBq6XSZ5VFnkeqtpQL\%5FJDXMdFrZW5iFlB8Ct1b\%5FrKZppS4PqWfwmQyFBL7gKlrA1tI0CAVz0d6M7rSS8cNfb9jWiPJ2ncWemU4hQAnYGUiij\%5FGN5FLkIQO20ANsu-C-FcMqZDycXAThCwl0AowFtfm85Gfu98Nib6r6j\%5FB1FYdYnUlvd\%5FBEcP\%5FAsN5c-ml3f9gg6xKjht-3y4UjLMnjg.pWgt\%5FgS2wr3aBL1AE-LXWtzvzWIBO4EEa\%5FDpOoQepVI&dib\%5Ftag=se&keywords=ono%2Broller%2Bfidget%2Btoy&qid=1724422892&sprefix=ono%2Brol%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-6&th=1) Essentially I have to be prepared for being overwhelmed. Accept things I cannot do anything about. Have something with me that allows me to focus and block out the rest of the world. A simple plan. So; - Nintendo Switch (charged, updated and USB battery brick) - Use the [Worry Tree](https://thinkcbt.com/images/Downloads/THINK-CBT-THE-WORRY-TREE-V-29.01.16.pdf) method for dealing with anxiety - Headphones to block out sound and give me something to focus on - Facemask. Eyes and mouth. Block out light and smells. Some countries are very smoker-heavy. I don’t think there is much else I can do. There’s no magic stim toy I can buy to help when I’m overloaded, no magic technique. I have to let go and focus on fun. That’s easy, right? --- ![At the top of some steps is the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. A stunning building all in white that stands tall on top of Montmartre. People sit on the steps below.](https://pete.news/content/images/2024/08/DSC_9115.jpg) At the top of some steps is the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. A stunning building all in white that stands tall on top of Montmartre. People sit on the steps below. --- ## Transporter room - [Michelle Obama praises Gus Walz for show of emotion during DNC speech](https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/22/michelle-obama-gus-walz-dnc-speech/74913529007/) - [Time Lapse Drone Video “Climbing” to the Top of Mt. Everest](https://kottke.org/24/08/time-lapse-drone-video-climbing-to-the-top-of-mt-everest) - [Hopefulness Is the Warrior Emotion](https://kottke.org/24/08/hopefulness-is-the-warrior-emotion) - [Travelling with a chronic illness](https://frugalfirstclasstravel.com/travelling-with-a-chronic-illness/) - [Tips on How to Travel with Back Pain from First Hand Experience](https://www.oursweetadventures.com/tips-on-how-to-travel-with-back-pain/) - [An Autistic Person’s Guide to Travel (Airline Style!) - Part 1 – Bened Life](https://benedlife.com/blogs/news/an-autistic-person-s-guide-to-travel-airline-style-part-1) - [10 reasons autistics may find independent travel difficult](https://www.alexlowery.co.uk/10-reasons-why-autistics-may-find-getting-public-transport-independently-hard/) --- ![With Sacré-Cœur behind, people sit on the steps and look over the skyline of Paris at dusk.](https://pete.news/content/images/2024/08/DSC_9099.jpg) With Sacré-Cœur behind, people sit on the steps and look over the skyline of Paris at dusk. --- --- ![At dusk, through some trees, is the Eiffel Tower sparkling with its custom light setup.](https://pete.news/content/images/2024/08/Paris-DSC_9063-pete-carr.jpg) At dusk, through some trees, is the Eiffel Tower sparkling with its custom light setup.