I used to fly all the time.

Work trips. Vacations. No fear. No panic. Just another plane ride.

Then, during the worst stretch of my anxiety, something changed.

It wasn’t really the fear of crashing, although sure, that crossed my mind. What really got me was the moment the plane door shuts. That feeling of knowing that once you’re on, you’re on. No getting off. No stepping outside. No escape.

And when panic shows up, my instinct has always been the same: escape.

On a plane, you can’t.

What made it stranger was that nothing bad had ever happened to me while flying. I never had a panic attack on a plane. No close calls. Just delays and inconvenience like everyone else.

But anxiety doesn’t need logic. It just needs an idea to latch onto.

I remember listening to a guy on the radio talk about his fear of flying. He described the exact same panic about being trapped and not being able to get off the plane. He talked about how he was trying to prepare himself mentally just to get through it. Hearing that was oddly comforting. It was the first time I realized I wasn’t alone.

Still, I quietly started avoiding flights. Not dramatically. Just practically.

“We’ll drive instead.”
“Let’s go somewhere closer.”

For a long time, just the thought of flying would trigger an anxiety response in my body. I wasn’t even on a plane. I could picture it, and my chest would tighten.

Now, when I think about flying, nothing really happens. And honestly, I’m more intrigued than afraid. I see it as the next challenge to take on.

I haven’t done it yet. And that’s okay.

This kind of work isn’t about forcing yourself or proving anything. We all have steps we take in our own time to work through fear. One step at a time.

I’m confident that when the time comes, I’ll handle it. Not because fear disappears, but because I trust myself now.

If anxiety has ever attached itself to something that never used to bother you, you’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.

Let’s Connect: If this hit home, you can reach me at Vinnie@LifeCoachVinnie.com or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram.

About Vinnie Merz
​Vinnie Merz is a life coach who helps high-performers take control of their anxiety and achieve their goals. With a background in law, real estate, and state government, he has led legal teams, real estate groups, and government teams while navigating anxiety in high-pressure environments himself. Through his coaching and resources, Vinnie helps driven professionals build calmer internal dialogue, lead with clarity, and regain control without feeling broken or weak.