I have not been on a airplane in over two years. I have not left Athens in over two years. Every time I go to Ikea–which sits directly opposite Athens International–I get thunderous heart palpitations.
It’s not a lot of fun.
As you now, in a couple of weeks I’m flying to a lovely island for a fabulous engagement party. Even though, I’ll be dutifully taking a Xanax, I think about this trip as if it will be the ordeal of my life. All 40 minutes of it. My therapist suggested that I visit the airport a couple of times before my departure as a type of exposure therapy.
Yesterday, armed with positive thoughts and my mother I made attempt number one. And you know what?
It was fine.
We walked around, I looked at the queues with interest, we shopped and then we sat at McDonald’s watching a dozen planes taking off and landing. It was exciting and part of me missed my flying days. When I travelled four times a year and could care less. A separate part of me was a little jealous. I wished I was the one going on some sort of an adventure. I looked over at all the people and I wondered: “Where are you all going? Are any of you frightened to your very core?”
So I ‘m still nervous. I’m not looking forward to the flight but it needs to be done. This particular fear stops me from doing all sorts of stuff. It needs to be faced, head on, right now before it gets worse. Before I become a hermit. Before I haven’t left the city in a decade and small kids stop in front of my window, point and whisper amongst themselves, “They say she hasn’t left her house in 30 years [Kids always exaggerate] but that she’s ridiculously adorable.” [OK. So they don't do it all the time.]
Would you like to help me?
I thought so.
Here’s what you can do. Tell me your happy travelling stories. Do you love airports? Why exactly? It can be anything big or small. Where are you going this summer? Where was the last place you went to by plane? Do you adore flying? What part? Why?
I’m hoping your stories and your thought and perhaps even your quirks might help me once again be comfortable in the sky.
