How to Fly When You’re Afraid of Flying

You guys. New York Fashion Week was SO AMAZING. I actually shot some amazing video while I was in New York and have a full NYFW recap coming for you soon. But in the meantime I want to talk about something that fully hit close to home on this trip.

My crazy fear of flying.

I love to travel, but I hate traveling. I’m just not great with planes. I have so much anxiety over being that high up and not in control. Turbulence fully throws me over the edge.

Mom and I landed back in San Francisco this morning and I just want to get real with you for a moment. The turbulence was so bad on our flight that I started to cry in the middle of it.

I’ve never ever cried on a flight before. I’m not even a big crier in general, but the anxiety got the best of me. We were 20 minutes deep into a full fledged 40 minutes of the worst turbulence I’ve ever experienced in my life. I couldn’t help it.

I was so happy I had my mom with me. Yes I’m basically still six years old who needs her mommy. Come at me.

Point being that I know I’m not the only one with this phobia. A lot of people struggle with a fear of flying. So let’s do what I like to do when I have a problem – let’s talk about it!

Understand why you’re afraid to fly.

I usually find that understanding the root of an anxiety helps to conquer it. My fear of flying is basically a cocktail of my fear of heights and hatred of not being in control.

At least when I drive I’m behind the wheel.

Sit down and take note of what specifically makes you anxious to fly. Is it the confined space? Are you like me and just a control freak? Whatever it is – understanding your fear will help you find ways to soothe it.

Block everything out.

I used noise cancelling headphones for the first time ever during our flight out to New York. It was life changing. 

I couldn’t hear the crying babies, the people talking, and best of all I couldn’t hear the sound of the plane. I closed my eyes, listened to my music, and pretended I was on a long road trip.

I will never fly without my noise cancelling headphones ever again.

Opt for aromatherapy.

I’m a huge fan of aromatherapy. I’m making KB order me a new diffuser from Amazon as I type this. It works.

My cousin actually gave me a little lavender packet right before we left this morning. I stuck it in my purse and really wish I had remembered it when it started to get turbulent. Lavender is a serious stress reliever and I’m kicking myself for not pulling that little packet out mid flight.

Next time I’m going to opt for a roller ball. Has anyone ever tried one of those? I’ve heard they’re pretty nifty.

Travel with a buddy.

I love to travel with a buddy. I love the company – it keeps me calm knowing I have someone there to help talk me down if I need it. My two favorite travel companions are KB and my mama.

KB is super organized and is the easiest human ever to travel with. My mom is a little more loosey goosey with timelines and is a serial overpacker. God bless her little heart.

Mama really stepped up to the plate today though I have to say. When I turned into a crazy woman and lost my sh*t on that flight she put down her iPad and held my hand across the aisle. She even pulled down my noise cancelling headphones for a moment to promise she’d never let anything happen to me.

And that was that.

Sometimes all you need in this world is to know you’ve got someone that cares about you right next to you.

My Fave Stress Relievers

Try not to judge me too hard for bursting into tears somewhere over Colorado. I swear I’m not usually that much of a lunatic.

Do you have any phobias? How do you handle the anxiety? Tell me in the comments below!

Photography by Laurel Creative