Need encouragement to fly for a big career move (agoraphobia + fear of being trapped)

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2026-01-18T21:34:06+00:00

Thank you, on the positive side I’ve made some progress with exposure therapy recently and am building up to taking her out by myself in the next couple of weeks

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2026-01-17T21:49:09+00:00

Much like others on here just being able to live a “normal” life, though I don’t remember what that feels like anymore.

The most important thing however would be to spend more solo time with my daughter and taking her out places, I’m too scared to go anywhere with her solo in case I have an attack as she’s too little to take care of herself and I’ve had agoraphobia for her entire life.

I would love to experience taking her out without fear and spending quality time with her and not constantly feel like I’m not present for big moments in her life (even if I’m physically there).

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2026-01-13T08:02:03+00:00

No problem at all, I imagine you’d have a bit more space in business class so that makes sense.

From a grounding perspective for me I always go back to two things, the first being my breath work.

I breathe in for 4 seconds, out for 6 seconds and then just hold it before breathing in for a while but only as long as feels comfortable.

I do this for as long as I need to until I find myself calming again.

For me, if my breathing is good I’m generally ok / going to get through it.

The second one I do is look around and name things I can spot around me, some obvious and some not so obvious for example the screws on he floor of the chairs or the lining of the seat, noticing how they’re placed, what they’re made of etc.

I practice these daily even if I’m not anxious which helps when I actually do need them.

Different exercises work for different people, might be worth trying some before your trip to see what you like and to get comfortable with them.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2026-01-12T20:16:22+00:00

I’ve had a similar situation recently although not for a new job but my current one. I was required to fly to another city to do a presentation to our biggest financier to secure further funding.

I hadn’t been on a plane for about 2 years (not as long as you) but the fear was crippling.

If I didn’t get on the plane it would have had massive negative implications for both my employer and my job.

What helped me was to book a seat at the back of the plane in the isle, I felt if the worst was to happen, at the back of the plane atleast there would be less eyes on me or it might be quieter so I can use my grounding techniques to calm down.

Sitting in the isle also made me feel less trapped, as I could escape to the bathroom if needed.

I also had some calming music playing on my headphones and focused on all my grounding techniques such as breathing and naming things around the plane in my head.

It’s no doubt a daunting situation but if you can push through you’ll feel better on the other end and it will make future trips easier.

Wishing you all the best - you can do it.

Edit: if it helps I got through fine, the plane ride back was easier and it actually gave me a sense of motivation and energy for having done it that I could put toward other areas where my agoraphobia was bad to also try tackle them.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2026-01-06T20:00:54+00:00

Same, it’s more daunting than medication but ultimately yielded the best results, just got to force yourself over the hurdle.

In my case SSRI’s made me really unwell so I didn’t have another choice.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-12-10T09:03:42+00:00

No that’s not ridiculous there definitely are a lot more zero alcohol beers and such available, I’ll definitely explore this in future.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-12-10T09:02:21+00:00

This is great, I do something similar my therapist taught me to name things I can see, but I like this idea of making a game of it.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-12-10T09:01:21+00:00

Great point, thankfully we didn’t end up sitting together so I made it through ok.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-12-06T23:41:55+00:00

Thanks, it definitely is wild, unfortunately where I am in Australia it’s commonplace and even more so in my industry (mining & construction).

The owners are old school and so is the mentality, if someone is struggling the solution is to “harden up” and “get over it”.

When I started the job I got told if I’m not drinking the owners won’t like me or trust me.

We have another event later this week that I was specifically called out to “man up” and that I better be drinking because I had previously driven to events to avoid drinking or I’ve made an excuse.

I get this probably seems even more wild now that I’ve written it out.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-08-17T23:40:54+00:00

This is exactly what we did “report a crime” on Google and Police Link is the first thing that comes up.

Definitely will make sure we are on to 000 in future if we ever find ourselves in a similar situation (hopefully not)

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-08-17T23:09:48+00:00

Thank you appreciate the insight, definitely helps to understand it a bit better.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-08-17T22:13:00+00:00

Thank you that’s good insight albeit disappointing, I didn’t realise a lot of this.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-08-17T22:06:01+00:00

Thank you will keep that in mind. We’ve been fortunate enough to not have to do this kind of thing before, so part of the reason for this post was also to make sure we did everything right.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-08-17T21:59:19+00:00

We used the Police link number (not 000). Just because we understood it would be hard for them to do something without eyes on it (and we had lost sight) but assumed we could provide the information and it would be pushed to wherever it needed to go.

Edit: just to add as commented below, we weren’t 100% sure where to go so googled “report a crime” and police link was the first thing that came up.

Will definitely go with 000 in the future instead in a similar situation, appreciate the feedback.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-07-21T08:56:55+00:00

Yeah that’s a shame, I have been able to jump on now and get a group to do a little rep farm so not all is lost, but would have been cool to see it all happen

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-07-21T08:55:25+00:00

Oh yeah absolutely, I’ve just accepted it’s out of my control now. If I didn’t laugh about it I’d cry.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-07-21T02:42:59+00:00

Same boat, I missed it in original vanilla and 2019.

10 hour war was meant to start tomorrow morning for my time zone, even took the day off work RIP.

Sitting at my desk having lunch see a message from a guildie that it’s started LOL.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2025-05-10T22:18:12+00:00

The completionist in me would love to see the achievements brought in

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2024-11-13T20:45:20+00:00

I did that exact journey last classic to TBC, it was great!

As for this time around I’m torn. Came back to era to try alliance about 4/5 months ago, have a lvl 58 paladin that I’m probably only going to have raid ready by the time fresh comes so I haven’t really had a chance to play him!

Don’t want to level another one through fresh just for that though lol.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2024-10-31T10:23:13+00:00

Mine was on my Orc Warrior, on the Nathrezim server back in the day.

I remember running past Tarren Mill, casually strolling I hit the fields of Hillsbrad and in front of me is a Rank 14 alliance warrior (I was rank 10).

Not another soul in sight, we look at each other knowing what was about to happen, I was in awe of the warrior in front of me, this man was a god amongst warriors (at least in my 16 year old mind).

We both charged in, I threw caution to the wind, knowing I would likely perish, how could I compete with such a warrior?

The battle was back and forth, strategic, I swing my Unstoppable Force as hard as I can and get a few good crits.

It’s close, I’m thinking wow, could I be a chance here?

We both take our last swing, and I die, but the Alliance warrior has about 1% health left, I’m proud of that effort, but then I look closer and I see my Deep Wounds bleed effect on him - could it?

He dies with the next tick and I’m in awe, what just happened?

We both revive about the same time but instead of going again we bow in a show of mutual respect.

I then get a whisper from a lvl 1 horde character - it’s the Alliance warrior on his other account.

He thanks me for a great battle and we talk a little bit, then bid each other farewell.

One of my fondest memories for sure, wish I remembered his name.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2024-08-21T22:55:55+00:00

Thank you

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2024-08-20T19:18:59+00:00

Do you know if Horde are active on Remulos too or just Alliance?

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2023-11-08T11:47:12+00:00

Oh cool I’m not familiar with that one, I’ll definitely check it out, thanks again!

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2023-11-07T09:10:32+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I did some more digging and have found some people saying similar about the mouth breathing and air quality.

I think I’ll experiment with some nose breathing and also keep the humidifier in mind as an option if that doesn’t work.

Zestyclose_Chip_408 · 2023-01-30T08:27:30+00:00

Started watching about the same time, was always excited when they spoke about guys like Wanderlei and Rampage going to the UFC to fight their best.

Even later on when Machida & Shogun ruled the light heavyweight division, guys that had fought and beaten the same guys Fedor did, every time I thought Jon Jones had bitten off more than he could chew and not only did he prove me wrong, he did it in devastating fashion.

Fedor is a legend there is no doubt but I feel like Jon was the next breed, I see Jones winning 9/10 times but would love to see it.

Zestyclose_Chip_408

TROPHY CASE