A long-term reader wrote yesterday that our dark gray font was hard to read. After reviewing past posts, I agreed with the reader and contacted our web people. By this morning, our font had been changed to a regular shade of black. I wrote back to our dear reader, Linda, to thank her for bringing this to my attention. In the past, I took our font for granted and never questioned it. Hopefully, all of you will find this darker font easier to read.
Also, this morning, I stumbled across an article about the “fear of flying,” thinking we’re long overdue on addressing this critical issue that plagues many travelers and is often ignored when it may bespeak a lack of travel experience, self-control, and self-confidence. Many of us prefer not to appear so vulnerable by admitting to such a perceived “flaw” in our travel experience.
I used to believe I could outgrow fear, like an old pair of shoes. But when it came to flying, that fear clung to me like a stubborn shadow, refusing to fade no matter how many flights I experienced. For years, the thought of being thousands of feet in the air, suspended in a metal tube, sent my heart racing and my palms sweating. Yet, as someone who’s been living a life in motion for the past 12 years, I knew that conquering this fear was essential to continue exploring the world. Here’s how I began to embrace the skies and leave that fear behind.
It’s estimated up to 40% of people have some fear of flying or aviophobia.
The first step in conquering my fear of flying was understanding it. I realized that my fear wasn’t really about flying itself but rather the loss of control it represented. I could drive a car, sail a boat, even navigate the chaos of crowded city streets, but once the airplane doors closed and the engines roared to life, I felt utterly helpless. Acknowledging this was pivotal; I had to accept that control was an illusion, both on the ground and in the sky. This understanding didn’t eradicate my fear but gave me a framework to start dismantling it.
I began by educating myself. Knowledge, as they say, is power, and in this case, it was also a balm for my anxiety. I devoured articles and watched documentaries about flight mechanics, the rigorous training pilots undergo, and the safety measures in place. I learned that turbulence, which once felt like the beginning of the end, is a natural part of flying, no more dangerous than driving over a bumpy road. The more I understood the science and safety behind flying, the less mysterious and threatening it seemed.
Mindfulness became another powerful tool in my journey. I started practicing deep breathing techniques before and during flights, focusing on the rhythm of my breath rather than the what-ifs swirling in my mind. Visualization also played a crucial role—I would close my eyes and picture myself calmly boarding the plane, enjoying the journey, and arriving at my destination with a sense of accomplishment. These mental exercises didn’t just distract me; they helped rewire my brain to associate flying with positive outcomes instead of fear.
However, the real test came when it was time to step onto the plane. I tried to fly more often, not shying away from opportunities. Each flight was a chance to build confidence. I started with short domestic flights and gradually worked my way up to longer international journeys. I celebrated small victories along the way—the moment I realized I was more excited than anxious before a flight, or the first time I looked out of the window during takeoff and felt awe instead of dread.
What surprised me most about this journey was how it paralleled many other aspects of my life. Conquering the fear of flying wasn’t just about being able to board a plane without panic; it was about learning to trust the process, to let go of control, and to embrace uncertainty. These lessons learned 35,000 feet above the ground have grounded me in ways I never expected.
When I fly, I no longer feel like I’m battling fear. Instead, I feel a sense of calm and even a bit of pride. Every flight reminds me of how far I’ve come—in miles traveled and personal growth. Once a source of anxiety, the sky has become a place of possibility. And with every journey, I’m reminded that the most significant adventures often begin with a single step—or, in this case, a boarding pass.
Displaying my fear while on a flight was a fear unto itself. After many years, my dear friend Carol, a retired captain with Delta Airlines who worked for Republic Airlines when I met her in the 1980s, knew I was uncomfortable flying. Knowing this, she agreed to fly with me on a shared flight to a mutual end location. The following interaction on a flight finally freed me of my fear of flying.
While we flew together, Carol explained every sound and change occurring during the flight, which incredibly put my mind at ease. As Tom and I began traveling the world, flying on countless flights, some as long as 17 hours across the ocean, I found myself more at ease. It was only during takeoff and landing and severe turbulence that I’ve become uncomfortable since. Overall, my fear has been combatted.
We hope you can find ways to reduce your fear of flying if this has been an issue for you. If not, good for you! Continue to enjoy traveling wherever you may choose to go.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, August 12, 2014:
Hi Jess, i just read about your fear of flying and how I helped you overcome it. That was so sweet of you to mention it. Hopefully we will see you in September!
Carol, it meant the world to me that you helped me and certainly was instrumental in being able to fly so much over the past 12 years. Will let you know our schedule in Cleveland once we know. We leave for there in 10 days. Hope you both are enjoying your summer travels.
Much love,
Jess & Tom