For some people, flying is an exciting part of going on holiday. For others, the thought of getting on a plane can bring feelings of anxiety, dread or even panic.
A fear of flying can be difficult to live with, particularly when it begins to affect the choices we make. Perhaps you've avoided holidays abroad, worried for weeks before a flight or found yourself unable to enjoy the anticipation of a trip because you're so focused on the journey.
And even when we know logically that flying is generally safe, that knowledge doesn't necessarily change how we feel.
I wanted to share the experience of a client I worked with, as it offers a lovely example of how gently exploring the emotions and experiences behind a fear can sometimes lead to a meaningful shift in how we feel.
EFT for Fear of Flying: Rhian's Story
Rhian came to me because she had been struggling with a fear of flying for around 20 years.
During that time, she had avoided flying whenever possible, and the flights she had taken had been extremely uncomfortable. She described experiencing nausea, feeling hot and worrying that she might have a panic attack.
With a family holiday to Italy approaching, Rhian really wanted to be able to look forward to her trip. Instead, she was feeling overwhelmed by the thought of getting on the plane.
During our EFT session, we explored her experience of flying and discovered that her fear was connected to an incident on a flight around 20 years earlier.
Using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), also known as tapping, we gently worked with the emotions and memories associated with that experience, allowing Rhian to explore what was coming up for her at her own pace.
By the end of the session, Rhian described feeling very differently about her upcoming flight. In fact, she was surprised to find herself feeling excited about her holiday.
She also shared that she felt lighter, as though a weight had been lifted.
A Different Experience of Flying
After her holiday, Rhian got in touch to let me know how things had gone.
She'd had a wonderful time in Italy, and she was delighted to share that her experience of flying had been very different from previous journeys.
She told me she'd felt much calmer and hadn't experienced the uncomfortable physical sensations she'd previously associated with flying.
What I particularly loved was that she also felt reassured knowing she had EFT as a tool she could use herself if she needed it.
Rhian kindly agreed to share her experience in her own words.
Rhian's Testimonial
“I had my first EFT session with Natalie last month due to my anxiety around flying and travel. I was a bit sceptical beforehand as my last experience flying was awful and I didn’t see how it could be any different. The session was really eye-opening - I laughed, cried, and learnt so much. By the end of the session I not only felt my anxiety around flying had gone, but I was actually excited about my upcoming holiday. A couple of weeks later I travelled by plane with my family, and I can’t explain how much of a better experience it was now I wasn’t feeling the anxiety. I felt so much calmer knowing that I now had the tools to use if I needed them, and I’ll definitely be using EFT in other aspects of my life going forward.”
– Rhian Nuaman
Exploring What's Beneath Our Fears
One of the things I find so interesting about working with EFT is the opportunity to become curious about what's happening beneath the surface of our emotions.
Sometimes we understand exactly why we feel a certain way. At other times, our reactions can seem confusing or out of proportion to the situation we're in.
Taking the time to gently explore those feelings, without judgement or pressure, can offer an opportunity for greater understanding, new perspectives and meaningful shifts in how we experience and respond to situations.
Rhian's experience is personal to her, and everyone's experience of EFT will be different. But I hope her story offers encouragement to anyone who recognises how limiting a fear can sometimes feel, and a reminder that the way we feel about something now isn't necessarily the way we'll always feel.
Whether it's a fear of flying, anxiety about a particular situation or something else that's been holding you back, there may be possibilities for change that you haven't yet considered.
That's one of the things I love most about EFT, the opportunity to explore what's beneath our difficulties, discover new perspectives and begin to see things differently.
If you're curious about EFT and would like to explore whether it might be right for you, I offer a free 15-minute introductory call. It's an opportunity to ask questions, share a little about what you're experiencing and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
You can find out more at www.nataliemobbs.com.