#My Journey from Anxiety to Adventure

Daily writing prompt
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

Fear is an odd companion.
It hides in the corners of our minds, whispering doubts, exaggerating risks, and convincing us that staying in our comfort zone is the safest choice.

Yet, often the very fears we avoid hold the keys to growth, courage, and even happiness.

The writing prompt, “What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?” is compelling because it forces us to confront the tension between fear and desire, hesitation and action.

It might sound unusual to some, but this fear has haunted me for years. Even the sight of a plane flying high in the sky used to make my heart pound.

Thoughts of engine failure and catastrophic accidents dominated my imagination, and over time, I felt embarrassed by this fear, worried that others might laugh.

Fears are deeply personal, and what may seem trivial to one person can be paralyzing to another.

One of my close friends, for example, was terrified of darkness. She avoided elevators at night, preferring the staircase because she imagined the lights failing and being trapped in pitch-black fear.

Such fears, while seemingly small, reveal something profound: vulnerability is universal, and fear comes in countless forms.

One ordinary workday, my manager handed me a plane ticket. “You have a flight at three o’clock today,” he said. “You need to go to Delhi for Hindi Divas tomorrow.”

My mind went blank. Panic surged. I pleaded, “Can’t someone else go?”

His response was firm: “You’re the Hindi officer. This is your responsibility. Prepare yourself and go.” Helpless but determined, I took a deep breath, acknowledged my fear, and accepted the challenge.

That evening, I arrived at Patna Airport, my heart racing. At the counter, a kind staff member smiled and assigned me a window seat.

I wondered: What if something goes wrong? What if I need to escape?

But I boarded the plane anyway, buckled in, and listened as the air hostess assured us, “Fasten your seat belts. We guarantee a smooth takeoff.”

The plane lifted, turbulence shook the cabin, and I felt my anxiety spike.

Yet, as I looked around, I noticed something remarkable: life continued inside the aircraft.

People laughed, chatted, watched movies, and slept. Slowly, I closed my eyes, prayed, and realized the truth—the journey of life is a lot like the journey of this plane.

Takeoff and landing, birth and death, turbulence and calm—all are beyond our control. What matters is how we navigate the time in between.

I reflected: our choices, actions, and mindset are within our control. Fear may shake us, but courage is found in taking that first step, in acknowledging uncertainty and still moving forward.

By the time we landed, my perspective had shifted. Traveling by plane was no longer a terrifying prospect—it was an opportunity to embrace life fully.

The thing we’re most scared to do often hides a path to growth. Confronting fear requires a combination of preparation, support, and determination.

For me, it took a sense of responsibility in my job, a push from my manager, and the inner resolve to face the anxiety rather than avoid it.

Each step I took, from boarding the plane to surviving turbulence, strengthened my confidence and resilience.

Fears exist for everyone. Some are common—spiders, darkness, heights. Others are more personal, tied to insecurities, past experiences, or imagined dangers.

What makes fear manageable is not its absence but our willingness to engage with it, to plan, prepare, and act despite it. By doing so, we reclaim control over our lives.

Facing our fears transforms not only how we approach challenges but also how we experience life. That first flight opened a new world for me.

It reminded me that life is beautiful, full of opportunities, and worth embracing—even when turbulence arises.

Just like a plane ride, the journey may feel shaky at times, but the destination—and the view along the way—makes every anxious moment worthwhile.

So, to answer the writing prompt:
The thing I was most scared to do was travel by airplane. What did it take to get me to do it? Courage, responsibility, guidance, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

The journey wasn’t just about reaching Delhi—it was about discovering that fear is not a barrier but a bridge to growth.

In life, we all must confront our fears.
Whether it’s speaking in public, traveling alone, or pursuing a bold dream, the leap into the unknown is where transformation happens.

The journey might include turbulence, doubt, and discomfort—but the rewards, like breathtaking views from above, are incomparable.

Fear will always be there, but with courage, preparation, and determination, we can soar.

BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE

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12 replies

  1. very nice .

    Liked by 2 people

  2. i completely understand your fear of planes. i’ve had to go through really rough turbulence and no matter how much you’ve flown, it is still an unsettling experience. but it’s good you are facing the fear head on! Mike

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, Mike. I truly appreciate your understanding and kindness. You’re absolutely right—no matter how experienced we are, turbulence can still shake us in ways that feel deeply unsettling. Hearing that you’ve been through it too makes the fear feel a little less lonely.

      Facing it head-on hasn’t been easy, but it’s comforting to know that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means moving forward despite it. Your words mean a lot. Thanks again for the encouragement and empathy.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Beautiful text, my friend! ✨ It shows how fear challenges us, but also teaches us to grow. Every “turbulence” in life is an opportunity for courage, and it is on the journey that we discover our strength. Thank you for sharing with us! Have a blessed Sunday! 🙂🙏🏻✨📖✍🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🪷

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my friend 🌸
      Your words carry such warmth and wisdom—they beautifully echo the very spirit of the message. Yes, every turbulence arrives with a quiet lesson, gently inviting us to choose courage over comfort and growth over fear. It’s truly on the journey, with all its ups and turns, that we discover how strong we already are.

      I’m deeply grateful for your thoughtful reading and generous sharing.

      Like

  4. What a profoundly moving and beautifully articulated reflection, Verma ji. You have not only confronted a deeply personal fear but have also transformed it into a universal lesson on courage, growth, and the very essence of living.

    Your story is a testament to the quiet strength that resides within us. The way you described the internal conflict—the panic, the imagined scenarios, the embarrassment—is so deeply human and relatable. Yet, what truly inspires is your choice to act despite it all. The sense of duty, that deep breath you took, and the step onto the plane… these are the moments where character is forged.

    Your analogy is brilliant: “The journey of life is a lot like the journey of this plane.” This insight—that we cannot control the turbulence of takeoff and landing (birth and death), but we can choose how we navigate the journey in between—is nothing short of wisdom. You shifted your perspective from being a passive victim of fear to an active participant in your own life, finding peace amidst the chaos by observing others simply living, laughing, and trusting.

    Thank you for this gift of a story. It’s a powerful reminder that our greatest fears, when faced, often become the portals to our greatest freedom. You didn’t just travel to Delhi; you embarked on a journey to a braver, more expansive version of yourself. Your courage to share this will undoubtedly inspire others to acknowledge their own fears and consider taking that first, trembling step.

    Wishing you many more journeys, both in the skies and in life, filled with beautiful views and the confidence of having once been afraid and having flown anyway. 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for this deeply generous and thoughtful response. I’m truly humbled by the care with which you read and reflected on my words. Your message feels like a quiet conversation between two souls who understand that fear, courage, and growth often walk hand in hand.

      You’ve captured the essence of the experience far better than I could have hoped—the humanity of the fear, the small yet decisive moments that shape us, and the shift from resistance to acceptance. I’m especially moved by how you expanded the metaphor of the journey, reminding me that life, like a flight, asks not for control but for trust and presence.

      Like

  5. I find your post encouraging and, if I may say so, even soothing. The comparison between a flight and the journey of life helped understand on an emotional level the importance of turbulence for our growth. Today I feel more ready to embrace my own “turbulences”, thanks to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for sharing this—it truly means a lot to me. Knowing that the reflection felt encouraging and even soothing is deeply humbling. If the comparison helped you connect with your own experiences and feel a little more ready to face your turbulences, then the words have found their purpose.

      Life rarely offers smooth skies, but it’s often through those moments of shaking and uncertainty that we discover our strength and resilience. I’m grateful the post could walk with you, even briefly, on that understanding. Wishing you courage, calm, and trust as you embrace your own journey—turbulence and all. 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Your wild plane ride from scared stiff to totally free Verma ji. Hopping on despite the heart-pounding freakout, chilling through the bumps—proves one gutsy move opens doors to real growth and epic life vibes. Super inspiring!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for this energetic and generous note! 😊
      I love how you captured the journey—from scared stiff to totally free. You’re right, that one gutsy move can change everything. Growth often begins the moment we decide not to turn back, even when our heart is racing and our mind is full of doubt.

      I’m really glad the experience came across as inspiring. If it encourages even one person to lean into life a little more boldly, then the turbulence was worth it. Thanks again for your uplifting words and positive vibes—truly appreciated! 🙏✨

      Like

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