Are cabin staff afraid of flying?
My best advice is to wait until you are the last person to board the plane. You avoid all the queing while people are putting their kitchen sinks in the luggage lockers overhead. You are however in danger of losing your luggage space as the idiot 5 rows away from you needs your space as well as his.
Definitely have a drink, a g&t does it for me, or get a mild valium from your doctor. Bring a bottle of water on to the plane with you and constantly sip at this before take off etc. If you have a nice perfume or similar dab it on a moist tissue and hold it close to your nose, it will calm you, it also counteracts the smell of feet from the same idiot 5 rows away from you. Sit in an aisle seat, away from the toilets and near the middle of the plane.
Bring a book/magazine you are already reading, not the inflight magazine. Talk to your partner or kids as the plane is taking off. If your plane hits turbulence, don't worry its natural and your pilot is well versed in dealing with these situations unless of course he is related to the idiot 5 rows away from you wearing the sandals and who has purchased his St.Bernard T shirts in every colour.
Its a big world out there, it would be a shame to miss it. Have a good time.