Flying

[Chicken_Wings]

Hey guys,

I've been doing pretty good lately. In fact I have felt pretty great over the last week. I really felt like I'd turned a corner.
I have to make a trip to the UK to see my mum who is sick. I've been saving for ages and finally everything seems to be in place.

I've always been a bit nervous flying, but now I seem to be petrified. Until my passport arrived it was sort of just not real, but now there is nothing stopping me going except myself. I'm not so much scared of the flying, although I don't love it. I'm more scared of being stuck on this uncomfortable plane for so long and travelling so far from where I feel safe. 
I haven't travelled such a long way for a long time. I've been to the UK before, but it was before my anxiety was strong.

The last couple of days I have woken up in the morning with that familiar tension and racing thoughts and its made me really sad because I was getting better. I've been doing my breathing exercises and trying to just keep moving forward with my plans. But the more real it becomes, the more my anxiety comes back. I've noticed that I've start twitching again and I'm nervously tapping my toes non-stop.

I'm scared of that racing heart feeling and off freaking out on the plane. I'm scared that once the plane has taken off, thats it, I can't stop it.
Part of me is excited to see my mum and go on holiday. The other part of me is terrified and just wants to cancel the whole thing and hide.
My GP has prescribed me something to calm me. I've never had it before and so I need to try it before I fly to know how it will effect me. 

My boyfriend will be with me and I know I need to take plenty of things to occupy myself. 

I know I need to do this. I know I have to go. I know that once I get there I will be glad I went and I know that I will regret it forever if I don't go.
What I don't know is how I'm going to do it.

Any insights from those who have managed to travel long distances with anxiety would be greatly appreciated.

[Mummybee]

Yes I agree,

Take lots of interesting things to do on the plane and try and keep your mind off your worries. Flying is not great fun, but the destination is worth it.

Get some of those cool new colouring in books that are EVERYWHERE and do some. Takes you to another place.

Good luck

Mummybee

[HelenM]

Hi CW

I'm sorry I don't have any advice I can give you. I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you  

 Helen  x

[Chicken_Wings]

Hi again.

I'm on the precipice of booking my trip. The dates are decided. The passports are ready. We've got suitcases and I've even bought shoes for walking. I just can't bring myself to make it official.

when I wake up the first thing I think about is the flight and I shake. As the day goes on I relax about it and by the end of the day I'm actually s little excited. The it starts again the next morning.

the worst is when I think about it and I get that rush of adrenaline like when I'm about to have a panic attack. This makes me more scared as I imagine it happening on the plane.

how to I get myself through this step and how on earth do I get myself onto the plane?

[KTOCD]

Hi CW

how exciting! Remember the flight is only one part of the trip. There will be a start, a middle and an end. It won't last forever. 

What is the absolute worst thing that could happen on the flight in terms of your anxiety? U have a panic attack?? U cry? U scream? People look at u? I'm sure all of these are regular occurrences on flights. Plus your boyfriend will be able to calm up back down. I'm thinking flight attendants would have some training in managing passenger anxiety. There will be people there to help you.  I hate taking off but nothing has ever happened. A couple of beverages early on in the flight may help settle the nerves too 😉.

Where r u going exactly and what are you planning to do? Anything u r super excited about? Focus on that!! It will be absolutely amazing!! 

I want to hear back about the things u plan to do. Will be checking back later!

kate

[Mummybee]

CW,

you need this trip, you deserve it! You have to conquer this phobia and go.

walk off some anxiety for me while you're there and come back and tell us all about it

mummybee 

[Chicken_Wings]

I just sent the email to book, eeeeeeeee! 

kate I'm going to the UK to see my mum. We're going to see Stonehenge and a bunch of castes and if we're lucky, some snow! My boyfriend has never seen snow. 

todays 41 degree heat is horrible so the cold of England sounds brilliant to me. 

Now I need to figure out where to buy  coat in the middle of summer.

[KTOCD]

Omg! I wonder if u can post pics on here when u get back? U will have an amazing time.

i also think after u get back you will need to change your name from 'chicken wings' to like 'flying eagle' or something. U will no longer be chicken!! 

Find a really warm coat. Maybe go to those outdoor adventure stores. 

Hope the time spent with your mum is lovely. 

Kate

[Chicken_Wings]

I think all my pictures will be of squirrels! 

I just bought 3 cheap coats online just so I have something. I guess I can buy a better one there if I need it.

right now I'm very calm about it all. I guess cause it's night time. Hopefully I can maintain this calm, we'll see in the morning. 

[Guest_1055]

Hey CW

I am so proud of you, you did it, you did it!

With love

Shelley xx

[Chicken_Wings]

I've woken up and I'm scared and I just feel like cancelling the whole thing. I don't know if I can do it