I did something this weekend that I’m really quite proud of. I drove to somewhere new for the first time, on the other side of town. Now, I realise this probably isn’t a big deal for most of you!
But for me, this was huge. I’ve spent the last 10ish years being ridiculously scared of driving. Not to the point of it being a phobia, but to the point of much preferring to walk places, or get a lift, or catch the bus/train instead of having to drive anywhere.
A while ago I googled ‘getting over a fear of driving’, and found that most of the advice was in equal parts both simple and frustrating.
The answer most people came up with is to simply go out and drive.
It seems the only way to get over a fear of driving is to just do it. To get in the car and just start driving. It’s only with the practice and experience that the fear will start to fade away. All well and good, but it’s so damn hard to simply get in the car and drive when you’re terrified!
In the end I was forced to start facing my fear when Rhys started nursery school last year. His school is about a 30 minute walk away, which just wouldn’t have been any fun to do every day, with his baby sister in tow! So I had to take a deep breath and get in the car.
And after a few weeks it did get easier. I started to relax.
But when it came to my epic (haha!) 20 minute drive this weekend, I was still really nervous beforehand. I studied the route on google maps so I knew the way and knew what landmarks to look out for, knocked back some rescue remedy, then I went for it.
And you know what? Within minutes of getting in the car I was fine. So of course then I started to panic about the fact that I wasn’t panicking! Then I relaxed into it, and got there and back without incident. And man alive I felt proud of myself!
I am strangely annoyed though, that all those people on google were right. Because I still want there to be an easier answer! But it does seem to be true that the only way to start fighting a fear of driving is to drive. The only way to deal with any fear is to do the thing you’re scared of.
But I’ve started. I’ve done the thing I fear to do.Now I just have to keep on doing it!
Is anyone else out there scared of driving? Or do you absolutely love it?!
Popping over from Candid Cuddles =) But what if you’re afraid to try things? 😉 Seriously though, it is good advice. You can’t get over something you dont attempt. Don’t forget to stop by Two Uses Tuesday to share your recipes, crafts, upcycles & DIYs & your pinnable images at Pinbellish (on Friday) over at Sarah Celebrates if you don’t already!
Thanks for popping in! I’ll check out the linkys, thank you! x
I’m so happy for you that you could feel relaxed on your longer drive. 🙂 Seems like you’ve come far since prior to your son starting nursery school! I 100% agree that continuing to engage in something of which you are fearful will eventually makes it easier and less scary. Thanks so much for linking up with #candidcuddles! xx
Thanks Katie, I’m pretty happy about it, haha! x
Woohoo! Well done Madeline! I’m so proud of you, it’s not easy to face a fear. This will open up the world to you now – there’s no stopping where you can drive! Thanks so much for linking up with #candidcuddles x
Haha, thanks Becky! I’m so proud of myself too! x