Life at 30,000 Feet: Why Women Need to Put on Their Oxygen Masks First

By Sally Luehman Broker/Owner RE/MAX RealPros &

Life Coach at Headquarters Coaching.

Life is nothing but moments of circumstance. What we choose to think in each circumstance is the life we live. I’ve learned this firsthand, especially as a mother of three boys—Riley, my Air Force pilot; Mason, my logistics officer; and Jack, my entrepreneur. Throw in years of hockey bags, football cleats, and baseball bats cluttering my hallway, and you have the perfect storm of controlled chaos.

As a realtor, mom, and general captain of this wild flight we call life, I’ve often felt like I was flying a plane I hadn’t even finished building yet. The engine’s sputtering, the wings are being duct-taped midair, and I’m just hoping the landing gear deploys when I need it. Sound familiar?

The Oxygen Mask Rule: Not Just for Airplanes

One of the first things you hear during an airline safety briefing is: “In case of a loss of cabin pressure, put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.” It’s a simple yet profound concept—one that, for some reason, many women struggle with. We juggle families, careers, carpool schedules, last-minute science projects, and dinner plans, all while trying to maintain some semblance of sanity.

But let’s be real: you can’t help anyone else if you’re gasping for air.

I used to believe that being a good mom meant always putting myself last. But then I realized, if I pass out mid-flight from exhaustion, stress, and burnout, who’s going to keep this plane from nosediving?

Turbulence is Temporary

As a mom of an Air Force pilot, I’ve heard my fair share of flight jargon. Riley once told me that turbulence is just a part of flying—it shakes you up, it’s uncomfortable, but it doesn’t last forever. That’s true for life, too. The toddler years, the teenage years, the years when you’re praying your kid doesn’t drive your car through the garage door (again)—they all pass. So when life gets bumpy, remember: hold on, adjust your altitude, and know that smoother air is ahead.

Midair Refueling: The Art of Self-Care

Pilots don’t just run their planes until they fall out of the sky; they refuel. Yet so many of us run ourselves on empty, convinced that we can keep pushing forward without consequence. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s a long walk, a good book, a girls’ night out, or just five minutes alone in the car before you walk into a house full of chaos—find ways to refuel.

Permission to Soar

Women are often told to keep their feet on the ground, be practical, be responsible, be everything to everyone. But I say—be the pilot of your own life. Take off, fly high, and don’t be afraid to hit some turbulence along the way. If my boys have taught me anything (besides the fact that hockey equipment smells worse than anything on this planet), it’s that you have to go all in, embrace the adventure, and never be afraid to chase the sky.

So, ladies, take a deep breath, adjust your controls, and put on that oxygen mask. The world needs you at your best—because when you fly high, everyone on your plane benefits.

Now, who’s ready for takeoff?

Headquarters Coaching LLC