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Flying

Last year when I started going to counseling for my anxiety, the first thing she asked me was one of my goals. Well, it was to not be anxious anymore. That wasn't the most measurable or realistic goal for me then or now, so she asked me to think of another. So, I settled on flying on an airplane. It was one of my biggest fears for so many reasons, number one being anxiety. 

Fast forward to two weeks ago. We were in the middle of Indiana and out options to get home were twenty hour road trip or flying. Sammy and I decided on flying. I tried not to think about the fact I was flying as little as possible. The airport was a five hour adventure. I watched one plane landing and freaked out so I didn't do that.

Sammy was so awesome. He explained everything about the plane in detail so I'd know what to expect. My dad gave me a bunch of flying tips and that really helped since I know he gets sick like me. We got  on the plane and it was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be. We settled in  and Sammy held my hand really right. 

I felt so confident with Sammy there and all my flight tips. I made sure to chew fun during take off like a blogger said;) I watched XMen Days of Future Past. It was only about ten minutes shorter than the flight. With every slight bump I breathed through it, reassuring myself it would be ok. 

I about broke Sammy's hand during landing though. That was rougher than I thought it would be. My ears hurt so bad like I'd never felt before. I understood what was happening but seriously thought my ear drum was going to burst. And then, we were landed! 

Sammy kept telling me over and over how proud he was of me. He thought I was going to be a hyperventilating mess. I thought I was too! But I used all the strategies I've been working on and I know Heavenly Father definitely calmed me as well. 
I'm proud of myself. I conquered one of my biggest fears! I flew! I know it was a really smooth flight but it was flying all the same. I keep thinking back to the flight when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I did that! Somehow I'll get through everything else. 

Do I want to fly again anytime soon? Not really. 

Comments

  1. JeanetteNovember 30, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    Yay! So proud of you! Baby steps. Maybe someday New York. :-) Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bailey KayNovember 30, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    Yay! I love traveling (and flying) but it gives me such bad anxiety. I literally bawled on the flights from KY to Colorado to Utah and back.

    ReplyDelete

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