read time: 3.5 minutes
 

On the way to our 12-year-in-the-making trip to the Bahamas in our homebuilt airplane...

I had a panic attack.

We were taking off from a friend's airpark in FL, flying over water for the first time, and landing in customs in the Bahamas.

My husband Ed was flying, fully prepared for the flight. We had lifejackets on, maps dialed in, and were flying with four other families that had taken this same flight before.

Over the years of building and traveling, I've had to face my fear of heights, my claustrophobia, and find ways to manage my air sickness. Because I wanted to experience the adventures of traveling across the country with our family.

I wasn't that worried leading up to this particular flight. I managed these fears for years.

But everything changed once we took off and I started to see that water looming on the horizon.

My heart started racing. I felt hot, and the weight of sheer panic started to set in as I fully realized where I was and what I was about to do.

I knew Ed was fully in control. I closed my eyes and started slow deep breaths on a count of 4-7-8 -- 4 in, hold for 7, out for 8.

I opened my eyes just as we started crossing open water. Body stiff, silent tears of terror started streaming down my face as I continued breathing and attempting to clear my mind.

I continued to manage this panic for 20 minutes before seeing my first glimpse of beautiful crystal blue Caribbean water.

The colors and sights out my window snapped me out of panic, and I couldn't help but look in awe at the incredible landscape before my eyes.

Why am I sharing this?

Today's newsletter is all about facing difficult moments, protecting our identity when we have them, and realizing that living through difficulty gives us the experience and the platform to be vulnerable in sharing them - which creates a bridge to connect and help others.

Let's dig in.

Everyone has difficult moments

You are not alone in your challenges. We all, every single one of us, faces difficult moments.

I think we forget this simple fact in daily life as we're bombarded with the perfect images and accomplishments on social media. 

It seems like everyone else has it figured out and we're left comparing ourselves to an unrealistic version of someone else that doesn't exist.

We beat ourselves up for feeling frustrated, when feeling frustrated is normal.

I share my story today to remind you that I'm still managing my flying fears after 12 years of starting our airplane build. It's something that's gotten easier with time, but I think it will always take work to manage them.

You are not alone in your challenges.

Your identity doesn't have to change

Facing difficult moments doesn't have to change your identity.

You can still be an athlete even though you're facing an injury. You can be a swimmer even though you're afraid of the water. You can be a musician even though you're still in the beginning stages of learning an instrument.

Just like I can still be an adventurer and travel with my family even though I manage my fears on every trip.

Your identity is built on your passions, experiences, and how you handle the obstacles that come your way. It's not defined by fear, by a single moment, or the challenges you face.

Difficult moments are a bridge to connection

Experiencing tough moments and being vulnerable about them creates a bridge to connect and help others. When we share our struggles, we find common ground and build real connections.

Sharing your stories can inspire others to face their own challenges. And yes, by doing so you also remind them they are not alone in their struggle. This validation of their experience is truly a gift. Because at the end of the day, aren't we all really seeking validation that we're here and real?

And here’s the kicker - the more professionally vulnerable we are on social media, the more we dismantle the myth of perfect lives. By being authentic and transparent, we can support a more genuine, relatable online community. This shift can reduce comparison spirals and promote a culture of support and encouragement.

By being real, we invite others to be real too.

My takeaway

Our trip to the Bahamas ended up being one of the best trips of my life, even though it had a rough start.

And, I found my new favorite place on earth, Sandy Cay.

In fact, we loved it so much, we decided we're going back every 2 years.

And I never would have experienced it - if I didn't experience difficult moments.

I'm always rooting for YOU.
 

If you enjoyed this newsletter. I hope you forward it to someone today.

See you next week!

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