I used to hate flying, I wanted to overcome fear of flying. The thought of stepping onto an airplane made me feel so sick. While my husband and our girls would happily watch Netflix, sleep, or even just enjoy the in-flight snacks, I’d be gripping the armrests, my mind running wild with fear. I’d get sweaty palms, feel nauseous, and my heart would race as if I was about to run a marathon. It didn’t matter if I was flying for work or for pleasure-just the idea of being airborne made me want to down three glasses of wine before stepping foot on the plane.
Now, here’s the thing—I grew up around aviation. My dad was a head aircraft mechanic and we, as a family, flew loads when I was a child. Yet somehow, I developed a paralysing fear of it. For years, I didn’t understand where the fear came from. My dad’s job meant we spent a lot of time at airshows which we loved. I loved looking at them, even as a kid. But as I got older, couldn’t control the worry. It made no sense to me, but it was real.
As a photographer based in Surrey, I found myself limited by my fear. I wanted to travel, to capture new landscapes, and to experience more countries. But my fear of flying held me back. I watched friends and family book holidays and travel the globe with ease. I was missing out on so much fun. And that’s when I decided it was time for a change.
So, a couple of years ago, I signed up for the Fearless Flyer Course with EasyJet. (And no, this isn’t an ad-I genuinely want to share this because it helped me so much.) I’ll be honest-I wasn’t sure it would work. I had tried to calm myself down before flights many times in the past, but it never stuck. However, the course was different.
They broke everything down in a way that was easy to understand. The course explained exactly how flying works, why turbulence happens, and what all those funny, unfamiliar sounds really mean. It tackled the very things I used to panic about-things I didn’t know the science behind. They explained how airplanes are designed to withstand forces that make me feel uneasy, how they’re built to be safe, and why I had nothing to fear.
But the real magic happened when they helped me shift my mindset. I learned to embrace the reality of flying-not just the idea of it-and to truly understand how the things I feared were not actually dangerous. The knowledge gave me a sense of control. I could feel the difference the next time I flew.
Now? I actually like flying. No, seriously-I look forward to it. It’s not a source of dread anymore; it’s an exciting part of the journey. I get to go on holiday without feeling sick with fear. I’ve travelled more in the past couple of years than ever before. And each time I board a plane, I feel more confident, relaxed, and-dare I say-comfortable.
So to all the Mums (or anyone) out there who feels the same way I did-I want you to know: You’re not alone. It’s okay to be scared. But you don’t have to stay stuck in that fear. It’s possible to overcome it. I’ve been there, and I can tell you that it can get better. Don’t let your fear keep you from the adventures you deserve.
If I can do it, so can you.
Now that I can fly without the fear, I’m out there capturing life’s best moments. Whether it’s a family photoshoot, intimate wedding or helping with social media, let me help you preserve those memories. Because every moment is worth capturing.
YOU CAN VIEW MY FAMILY PHOTSHOOT GALLERY HERE
Lots of love
Zoe xxx
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