Inspired Ideas: Face Your Fears

Six years ago to the day (as of yesterday), I became petrified of flying. I experienced two horrendous flights during the same vacation, and on one a flight attendant asked if there was a doctor on board. At 38,000 feet. Cue the panic attack. After that vacation, I vowed to do just about anything to either stay on the ground or fly with someone until the end of time.

I’ve talked about it a lot, but Making Things Happen had a huge impact on me. One of the biggest things I knew I instantly wanted to conquer was my fear of flying by myself. A month ago, I announced to my cousin over Skype that I was coming to visit. I made a split second decision, didn’t allow myself to over think it, and I booked a flight a day later. I figured I could pump myself up enough over the course of a month to confidently get on the plane and fly from Philly to Indianapolis.

The universe had other plans because I was in a car accident a mere two days before I needed to fly. Right after being rear ended with serious force, I knew I couldn’t go on my trip. I wasn’t ready. I was no longer feeling 100%. I lost all confidence. And, quite honestly, I was really frazzled as a result of something that wasn’t my fault. How could I fly when I wasn’t feeling perfect?

But I think the point of my terrible car accident was to show me a.) you are so.much.safer on a plane than you are on the road (even stopped at a red light) and b.) you don’t have to feel perfect to just do it.

I said Emily’s favorite phrase, “Grace not perfection,” and thought about Lara’s Let’s DO This print over and over again before, after, and during my flights. I also knew I couldn’t disappoint my best friend who told me to not “chicken out” unless I was making a decision based on my health rather than one filled with fear and emotion. Girl knows how to keep me focused.

Let me tell you, I had the best time with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Because I faced my fear, I laughed hysterically, met new friends and family, shopped, drove around town, attended and helped plan a baby shower, and did this…

I held hands with my grandpa who is a World War II veteran. He’s 88, and he has dementia. When conversation fails, love is still there because love never fails.

I will never be a happy flyer, but that’s OK because I will fly by myself over and over again if I get to have fun and go on adventures. Face your fears and see what happens. From experience, it’s worth it.