I have a newfound fear of flying by myself. Some of you may find this strange, but it has come on in the last year or so. And I am not sure what triggered it. I spend the entire flight questioning every bump and lurch and looking around at the other passengers confused at why they aren't more concerned. If I fly with someone else I am distracted and it doesn't bother me as much. Even if I have a great book and my iPod I still can't focus on anything except the airplane plummeting back to the earth. Who are we to think we can propell a huge, steel object into the air and it will stay up there until it reaches it's destination?
So now these questions are still in my mind as I am attempting to fly down to LA in a few weeks for my roommmates wedding. Any thoughts? Tips? I was hoping to medicate myself, but now that I am pregnant that is a little harder to do and it could easily backfire on me.
While David is trying to be understanding of this new fear he cannot figure it out. He keeps telling me that flying is the safest mode of travel. I don't know, I guess I feel more at home on the ground.
16 comments:
I do not like to fly, but I had to do it for my job. How I got by was:
1. Sit on the isle, so you don't have to look out the window,
2. Get up and walk around from time to time,
3. Read, listen to music, play games, anything to keep my mind occupied.
Good luck
I'd try a blessing and prayer.
For me there was a certain amount of anxiety connected to becoming a mother of multiple children. The thought of leaving them often triggered(s) the feeling. Not really a solution for you, I know, but maybe some insight.
Flying used to make me very nervous. I'm not sure why it isn't so bad anymore - I think I have too many other things on my mind now!
And Grandma Terrill used to say, "Being afraid is not what the Lord wants us to be. If we have asked him to keep us safe, we need to trust that he hears and answers our prayers." She told me this when I confessed that I was afraid to stay in the house alone with the children when Harry went deer hunting - this was many years ago - but it's still good advice!
I thought I was the only one. I have never been afraid of flying, but this past year has been a little weird for me. When I flew to Denver with Chris and Ty I really had a hard time. Every little bump really bothered me. I think I may have held my breath the entire flight......I'm not sure that's a good solution.
Good luck!!
I have become more anxious about a lot of things in the last couple years. I just attributed it to getting older and having more kids and responsibility. It got worse after Hazel was born. So now I blame it on out of whack hormones. Since I realize that some of my fears are unfounded I keep making myself do things that scare me (like driving on those monster huge flyovers on the freeway) and telling myself that I will be just fine. I did finally figure out that I just don't like feeling out of control. And on an airplane you definitely can't be in control of the plane. But like I tell me kids when they have to eat something they don't like, just think about strawberries and ice cream and you'll get through it.
I guess my lifestyle does not go with a fear of flying. If it helps, I have flown thousands and thousands of miles and have never even had a hit of a problem with the plane. It really is one of the safest ways to travel. Try business or first class. That might help. A bit expensive but hey, isn't peace of mind worth something.
I'm okay flying by myself, but I'm also paranoid about everything. Just be grateful that it's not hot hot hot outside, because apparently that makes the turbulence worse. I experienced it firsthand flying from CA to UT, and when the seatbelt lights started flashing I thought I was going to throw up on the guy next to me.
I know exactly what your talking about. I have flown all over from a young age and never thought anything about it. I even flew back and forth to England twice and not a thought about it. But insert being a mother and suddenly I have anxiety and it is not so nice, I still fly but I often try to talk myself into driving where I need to go. I say blessing and a whole lot of positive thinking!
hitchhiking?
I like Amy Girl's and Babs's/Grandma Terrill's advice. Also Alice's--I remember whenever I flew back and forth between Salt Lake and California, I'd look for someone in a BYU sweatshirt (they're always there) and then that would calm me down for some reason, like God's not going to let _both_ of us die! haha. I never said it was rational.
I have always hated flying. The only time I don't hate it is when Matt is with me--I figure as long as we're together, right? I'm thinking that the first time I have to fly without my kids I'll be a wreck.
I think, along with what people have said, is the key is not to give in to your fears. I force myself to do things that scare me, like Betsy said, and just try (hard) to think about something else. Prayer also helps.
Well, don't worry about things that are not in your control. For example, it is not in your control that there has never been a successful water landing and that the life vests under your seat really have no good purpose ever.
Karl, you're plagiarizing yourself again.
What's there not to like about grandma Terrill's advice?
I have appreciated all of your comments. Good to know that I am not alone. I hope we never all fly together we may get hysterical!
Karl, I have often wondered about water landings, thanks for the info. Although there isn't much water between Portland and L.A.
Read Airframe by Michael Crichton.
I hate to fly, too. I always have. The first time I flew was when I was 17, and I was flying from Ut to Las Vegas. What is that, like and hour? I was a wreck the entire time. I blame genetics. My dad is a nervous wreck about airplanes, too. In fact, last year we went on a cruise that left from Galveston, Tx, and he would not get on a plane, so he drove 24 hours straight to get there. What a dork. Now when I fly, I use the sickness patch that goes behind the ear. It takes some of the little bumps and sways out, so it's easier to relax. Oh, and antidepression/anxiety meds don't hurt either. Ha ha ha. I say definitely a blessing and serious prayer. And keep your eye on the prize, the landing and the wedding. It's merely a means to an end.
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