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Fear of Flying: Do It Scared and Find Freedom in the Skies
By Rosabel Zohfeld
Would you believe me if I told you I have a fear of flying?
Not just nerves—but real panic. The kind that makes your heart race before even stepping into the airport. But here’s the thing: I do it anyway. Every time. And not because I’ve magically overcome it, but because I’ve learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to move forward in spite of it.
Overcoming the Fear of Flying
I’ve come a long way. There was a time when the very idea of flying too far felt impossible. I’d only dare to go from Texas to Colombia—and even that felt like a major feat. It wasn’t just the fear of flying. It was the fear of the unknown, the unrest in the world, the what-ifs. But then one day, I paused and asked myself:
Hasn’t the world always been in turmoil?
And if we let fear run the show, when will we ever truly live?
The truth is, I’ve known fear for most of my life. I lost my mother at a young age—an experience that shaped so much of how I viewed safety, attachment, and risk. It left a quiet ache and a loud warning: “Don’t lose more. Stay close. Don’t go too far.” And for years, I listened to that voice. I believed that staying still meant staying safe.
But life had other plans. Hurricanes, tornadoes. The kidnapping of a loved one. Personal storms that no one saw coming. Each one shook me, tested me, and tried to convince me that it was better to stay small and safe. But something deeper inside of me said:
“There’s more life to live. Keep going.”
A Flight I’ll Never Forget
One of the most terrifying flying moments I ever experienced happened back in the spring of 2009. I was flying from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, to Chicago, with a connection in Atlanta. At the time, I had only been living in the U.S. for about five years and my English was still limited.
As we began descending into Atlanta, I remember hearing the pilot’s voice with a thick accent say, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is it.”
At the exact moment he said that, I noticed the woman seated next to me crossing herself and whispering prayers in a panic. I looked around, trying to make sense of what he meant. From my seat by the window, I could see trees coming up fast. I didn’t have much experience flying, and in that moment, I truly thought, “This is it—we’re going to crash.”
My heart was pounding. The plane felt so low. I didn’t understand what was happening and the fear was all-consuming. Then suddenly… we landed. Just like that. Safe. But my memory blacks out after that. The fear of flying was so intense, my body and brain couldn’t hold the rest. That moment never left me.
Choosing Freedom Over Fear
I could’ve built walls and never dared to go far. But I realized something far more terrifying than my fear of flying: regret.
We’re all going to leave this life one day. The question is—did we live it? Did we dance with wonder? Did we face the hard things, not because we weren’t afraid, but because we knew life was waiting on the other side?
So if you’re reading this and fear is holding you back—whether it’s fear of flying, fear of dreaming, fear of creating, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone—I hope this reminds you:
You don’t have to be fearless. Just do it scared.
Because freedom, peace, and joy live on the other side of that brave, shaky yes.
— Rosabel Zohfeld
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