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[wakingdream]

I suppose many people have overcome fears while traveling. It seems of the things that alot of people fear is venturing out on their own. But once they do and meet lots of people along the way, I think alot of people realize what a silly fear it actually is. I did! My first trip I was nervous about striking out solo but after a few short weeks I was totally comfortable with my new status.

Travel offers an opportunity to see yourself in a completely different light, doesn't it? New situations always offer new insight into ourselves.

What fears have you conquered through your travels? What are some good ways to ease the anxiety some people feel?

[kathryn77]

I used to be scared of flying! I never ever let me put it off going anywhere, but the flights were never comfortable. It only started happening in my early 20's, and I couldn't understand as I'd loved flying before...!

After reading the book "Flying without Fear" by Captain Keith Godfrey, I found that my fear was a 'control' thing, and totally linked to when I bought my first car - which I was fully in control of driving, and obviously I was not in control when I was on a plane!!

Anyway, that book accompanied me on many a flight after I found it, and every time I had a 'fear', I'd look it up in the book. It now sits on my shelf covered in dust...but I know it's there if I ever need it...and I hope i don't, and don't think I will, woo hoo!!

[wakingdream]

I found that my fear was a 'control' thing, and totally linked to when I bought my first car - which I was fully in control of driving, and obviously I was not in control when I was on a plane!!

That's very interesting! I wonder if that's the main cause of The Fear?

[kathryn77]

I found that my fear was a 'control' thing, and totally linked to when I bought my first car - which I was fully in control of driving, and obviously I was not in control when I was on a plane!!

That's very interesting! I wonder if that's the main cause of The Fear?

Not for everyone, but that's what I know my fear was.

There were parts of the book that I admittedly laughed at...but I realised they must be serious problems for people. There's probably people that would skip through the chapter I associated with my fear as well, laughing at that! I totally belive the 'control' thing though - that was my fear - being 'out of control' on a flight

[introducinlyric]

I totally belive the 'control' thing though - that was my fear - being 'out of control' on a flight

i agree - i loved flying when i was younger then in my late teens i did a 360 - im fine now although can get a lil nervy at times but i guess on some level im just not a fan of long haul flights
plus being claustrophobic didnt help - knowing once the plane took off i was "trapped" and couldnt get off ...looking back i laugh but on the odd occasion i have "moments".....

[kathryn77]

then in my late teens i did a 360

Please tell me what that is? I'm picturing all sorts in my head here!..... <bit like him

[jeremystravels]

I like to avoid heights pretty well. But going to Europe last year helped with climbing all the old stair cases to the tops of churches, able to look down the rafters a few hundred feet down. That definitely puts a stop to the fear though. It is pretty much all gone when it comes to climbing stairs, but climbing up something that has a cliff right on the side, like at Petra, still got to me a bit. I stepped a few steps back at the View of the End of the World just for added safety

[jrheavymetal]

A few years after we got married, me and my wife went up in a small plane, just a half hour ride, everything was going pretty well, I thought, until we hit that darn air pocket near the end. That was the end of my flying.

[wakingdream]

A few years after we got married, me and my wife went up in a small plane, just a half hour ride, everything was going pretty well, I thought, until we hit that darn air pocket near the end. That was the end of my flying.

So you've given up taking to the skies? Forever?

[travelmonster]

What are some good ways to ease the anxiety some people feel?

The only advice I could give is just do it!! There are a number of things that I have been anxious about and some I still am, but determination is the key. I am determined that fear is not going to stop me from doing the things I want to, so I just do them anyway.

Knowing that you can do something, even if you feel frightened doing it, builds a whole new level of confidence.

[manzara]

I have noticed that when people get older, they become less keen on travelling to new destinations, especially independently. They like to go to places where things are comfortably familiar.

That is why we are travelling some distance from our home in Turkey each year. In the past few years, for example, trips to India, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar the Andaman Islands, etc. At a fairly youthful 63 (me) and with an even more youthful partner, Elaine (58), we think we could well prefer to stay nearer to home in the next 5, 10 years or so.

There's so much of the world to see and maybe so little time, so we shall continue our travels to new destinations and seek new experiences - before it's too late.

[jrheavymetal]

A few years after we got married, me and my wife went up in a small plane, just a half hour ride, everything was going pretty well, I thought, until we hit that darn air pocket near the end. That was the end of my flying.

So you've given up taking to the skies? Forever?

It's not that I wouldn't fly again, I suppose someone could force me at gunpoint, I also have this fear of going out to sea beyond where you can see land. Like, what are the damn lifevests takes over.

[wakingdream]

I like to avoid heights pretty well. But going to Europe last year helped with climbing all the old stair cases to the tops of churches, able to look down the rafters a few hundred feet down. That definitely puts a stop to the fear though. It is pretty much all gone when it comes to climbing stairs, but climbing up something that has a cliff right on the side, like at Petra, still got to me a bit. I stepped a few steps back at the View of the End of the World just for added safety

That's cool! So, you've gotten over the major part of it. It's not like we can just wipe our fears in a snap. Though, it would be good if we could....

[greekcypriot]

I love travelling, but still I have not overcomed my fears.
It is just that I keep thinking that I am trapped up there.
I hate long trips to be honest, and also hate travelling with small planes round the islands. I don't feel secured.
I remember travelling every week for 7 months from Athens to Thessaloniki and backwards during weekends and was excited so much then when younger.
We have travelled so much with planes, that lately my husband keeps telling me ..." We have made it to this flight again".....as if he is expecting that one day we might be finished up there. lol

http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot
(New entries - Many photos)

[kitkatgo]

For me, I guess it would be overcoming social anxiety. Not that I'm over it completely. But traveling helps. I feel much more free and open while traveling than I normally do. It's something I've been working on for years though.

But I guess the fact that I love to go to new places, try new things, eat new foods, etc, well, it just helps. I'm just more willing to put myself out there when I travel.

[wakingdream]

But I guess the fact that I love to go to new places, try new things, eat new foods, etc, well, it just helps. I'm just more willing to put myself out there when I travel.

That's cool. There's something freeing about not knowing anyone around you. I guess maybe that might be some other peoples' fear but in my case I find it to be a really nice change. Especially because I don't live in a big city and around here people can get a little nosy.