In our last post we looked at some helpful tips to help with travel anxiety. 
That post was inspired by a reader question. She and I have been keeping in contact regarding her upcoming trip which she was dreading.
I thought it would benefit others who suffer from travel anxiety to read our conversation and see how the tips offered on that post helped my friend to make it though her vacation…
Hi Jill,
I’m getting ready to take a trip and I’m really scared. Are you able to travel with everything you have been through. I need to do this and prove to myself that I can travel again. Do you have any tips? Thank you for all of your emails. I always have the fear of another panic attack even though I haven’t had one since February.
Annie
Hi Annie,
You are so welcome.
I took a line from your email and compiled a bunch of tips to help you on before and during your trip. See here: http://panicfreeme.com/4159/travel-anxiety-tips/
Let me know if it helps.
Good luck, hugs to you!
Jill
Thank you so much. You are an inspiration to me. I read all of your travel tips and will keep with me during the trip. I cant believe I am going on a trip again.
Hugs to you, too!
Annie
Take care, please let me know how you’re doing regarding your trip.
Big hug,
Jill
I’m bringing your tips on my trip. I’m scared to go, but I need to go to feel like “me” again. I love all of your emails bc you really understand what I’m going through. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Hugs to you,
Annie
I know you’re scared but if you just stay focused on the present and don’t let your mind wander, follow the tips and you will be good to go!
And- you will be *so happy* that you went! 
Jill
Jill,
I already packed for my 7 and 3 year old. I’m thrilled that I’m going and also nervous. I have my lexapro and klonipin already packed. You are right, I will feel so good when I come home that I actually did it. A month ago, I wouldn’t even think about going out of town.
Thank you again for all of your advice bc you know exactly what I’m going through.
Hugs to you,
Annie
Hugs back,
We’re all in this together. You’re doing everything right. Concentrate on being thrilled, stop thinking about the nervous. Do the tips.
Take care!
Jill
Jill,
I will. Thank you so much for your support. I have my tips and medicine already packed!! I’m dreaming of how pretty San Antonio is and trying not to think of all of my anxiety. I’ll try to walk a lot to shed some pounds thanks to the Lexapro.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Hugs to you,
Annie
Hi Jill ,
I made it through my trip and feel so empowered that I did it. I cried for weeks thinking I could never travel again bc in the beginning, my anxiety was so scary as I was trying to get on the lexapro. Now, I’m ready to go back to San Antonio knowing I’m capable. There were some rough moments as I became very anxious with the crowds. I flowed your tips and tried to distract myself. Thank you for all of you emails and advice. You are a huge help to me.
Annie
What great news!! Congratulations, you did it!
xx Jill
Thank you for all of your encouragement. I tried hard to ignore a lot of my symptoms. I feel so empowered that I went, like you said! I’m still tough on myself but I need to keep pushing myself.
Thank you again.
Annie
You’re welcome. See this proves you can beat your anxiety. It doesn’t have to limit you, not when taking a trip. And you can apply the same principles to other situations as well. Keep up the great work, and keep moving forward. You have a lot to be proud of Annie!
Jill
There are some important lessons we can all take away from Annie’s anxiety success story:
The anticipation is always greater than the fear. Annie admitted her fears, but she understood that facing them head on would help free her. She took control of her situation, instead of letting the anxiety control her.
Annie reached out for help. Obviously she did all the work herself, but can you see how just being able to reach out and connect with another person who understood what she is going through benefited her? Reaching out and getting support for panic attacks and anxiety shows you you’re not alone. It validates what you’re going through and can help give you that extra boost of confidence you need.
She made up her mind in advance that she was going to succeed. I was particularly impressed with how happy and psyched she was once she made her mind up about going. Although she still felt anxiety about, it, she was determined to go and kept her focus on the present.
What Annie didn’t do
She did not stay stuck in her anxiety. Somewhere in her mind she decided to stop being a victim to her anxiety and take back her power.
Annie is now looking forward to a trip out to California later this summer. You go girl!
Isn’t this a great lesson for all of us? Anxiety is such a bully. It does its best to limit your life and keep you in knots. It messes with your mind and your self confidence. Learn from Annie. This is powerful stuff.
Whether you have travel anxiety or anxiety about some other specific situation, the same principles apply. Be willing to put yourself out there and use your tools. Expect success, ask for help if you need it, and do the best you can.
You will never regret your efforts put toward coping with anxiety. Your light will begin to shine through and little by little you get yourself and your life back
I wish you peace,
Jill G.
