XOsunnydaysXO

WOO-HOO!! I LOVE IT!!! Thanks, guys!!

Yes, the sound of the wind and the blast of cold does make my heart jump. That's a good idea about the helmet. Does it affect your peripheral vision? I have been doing a lot of reading up on this forum on fear and reading all of your responses. Thank you, everyone! My jump (or lack of ) last Sunday was very embarassing. I felt so stupid WALKING off of it, like I was wearing the Scarlet Letter D for DumbA$$. But, now I'm sooo glad to hear that it is normal, and I'm not alone! I also realize now that my fear is not being helped by my infrequent monthly jumps. I've done a lot of thinking and decided that I do want to continue jumping. I fear it, and yes...but mostly love it still. However, I do have other important financial responsibilities at the moment (what?! responsibilities?? ), and can not financially commit myself to jumping every week or even every other week as I should. So, I am promising myself to return to training in the spring. Until I can make that commitment to jump every week and control that fear, I will be visiting my dz, watching skydiving videos, and staring up at the blue sky, waiting! I'm not ready to give up my wings just yet... I'm just so in LOVE with this wonderful gift of flight! Thanks, everyone!

I know this may sound silly, but I really felt like I was just going to jump (without a rig on!). It felt like suicide to me!! Right now I am reasoning to myself that it is ONLY air out there, not like I'll bump myself on anything ...but I guess the sensation of throwing yourself out of an airplane can be scary sometimes! It's not at all like jumping from a poised exit, only staring at blue sky, waiting for my belly to face the earth. I see the ground! Nyyaahhh!! BTW...did I mention that I didn't jump?!? Couldn't pull myself together! OOoff!!

Hi, everyone! I am an AFF student with 12 jumps, on level VI. I have been having my normal nervousness, but on my jump Sunday, I completely froze at the door. It took me awhile to understand why I couldn't bring myself to jump, but then I realized that I was freaked out by looking at the ground. I was actually "ok" in the jump plane until my instructor asked me to practice my spotting. Immediately, I said, "no! how about YOU spot for ME??" I just couldn't look down, and was certain I would plummet to my death! I am sooo close to graduating, but am trying to get my courage back up! Even the thought of a poised exit now gives me the heebie geebies!! What can I do to get myself back into the groove of things?

Ahhh! Thank You!!

Anyone have any AFF video clips to share? I've been looking all over for some motivating clips of students, and have only found one or two. I would like to see STUDENTS learning to fly!!

Hate to ask a silly question...but I'm new! What's groundrush???

Hi, Guys! I'm so glad that I've found this forum and thread. I am in AFF training, level VI. It seems that my first tandem, and first AFF jump were a piece of cake. I was excited and ready to jump! But as each jump progressed, it became harder and harder to exit. Each time I've pushed through my fears, but it has been tough! I, too, have been having that "Door Fear." I feel like my heart stops when it opens. Last Sunday, I was to do a door dive (instead of a poised) and finally hit a wall. I was absolutely petrified, and couldn't pull myself together to jump at all. I was so panic stricken that I rode the plane down after 12 successful jumps. Unbelievable. I have spent the last couple of days re-evaluating what went wrong mentally, and wondering if I still want to continue (only 2 more levels!). I've come to the conclusion that I badly want to be a skydiver. I love the feeling of accomplishment. But, it terrifies me to think of looking directly at the ground before I exit. What in the world is going on?? I'm so depressed and disappointed in myself right now, and feel so sad about feeling this fear. I feel like I am slowly plucking my own wings. Help...