Sucheta's blog

Tag: anxiety

  • ✈️ Flying through fear: How I keep going even when anxiety hits the sky

    I used to be an extremely frequent flyer.

    I traveled across countries and continents for work, excited to see new places and experience different cultures. Flying was just another part of my life—boarding passes, airports, tiny coffee cups, and takeoffs felt normal to me. I wanted to see the world, and I did.

    But somewhere along the way, something changed. I don’t know exactly how or why, but I began to develop a fear of flying. It started as small anxiety, then grew into moments of real panic. And yet—I still fly.

    Yes, I still book my tickets. I still pack my bags. I still sit on those planes, heart racing at times, but I go anyway.

    🧘‍♀️ How I cope before and during a flight

    Over time, I’ve found my own way of dealing with this fear. These are some things I do every time I travel:

    • I download guided meditations from the Mindvalley app.
      As soon as I’m on board, I start playing one after the other—soothing, calming voices that help me breathe and center myself.
    • I chant mantras silently.
      It grounds me. It reminds me I am protected, I am safe, I am supported.
    • I gently tell myself:
      “I am in this container, and it must reach its destination safely.”
      Somehow, that thought brings peace.
    • I visualize my arrival.
      I imagine myself landing, stepping out, meeting people, exploring new places. I create mental pictures of joy and purpose—of what lies ahead. That vision carries me through.

    🌍 Fear shouldn’t steal our dreams

    I know many people who fear flying. Some have given up the dream of seeing the world—even though they’re fully capable—because anxiety took over.

    If you’re one of them, please know:
    You are not alone. Your fear is valid. But so is your dream.

    Trust the systems. Trust the training. Speak about your fear—be vocal. Tell the crew. Tell a friend. Most importantly, tell yourself that you can do this anyway.

    This post is for anyone who has been through trauma, panic, or difficult moments in the air or on the ground.
    You’re not weak for being afraid. You’re incredibly strong for still choosing to fly.

    You don’t need to erase the fear to live your life.
    You just need to walk through it—one breath, one mantra, one flight at a time.