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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: Driving down the highway, sure don't feel like "Born to be Wild"
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 Fiestyfem |
06-23-2003 @ 10:48 PM |
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Member
Joined: Jun. 2003
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I still have a hard time with highway driving as well but I can do it...if I'm motivated enough...like for a job interview in a city, 1 hour and 1/2 away. Or going to pick up a boyfriend in a city 2 hours away. I took my cell phone, self help tapes and music tapes and really practised self talk. I told myself that
driving down a divided highway was safer then the city. I tried to figure out what exactly I was scared of...open spaces, long distances with no signs of civilizaiton on the side of the road...I wasn't sure.
I reassured myself with the fact that other people were on the road with me so I wasn't as alone as I felt.
I did feel anxiety at the start of the trip but got calm as the trip progressed. Going ahead of time with a friend and seeing exactly where to turn off to get into the city, finding the place I was being
interviewed at and where to park, then after how to get out of the city to come back home...all that really helped. I also drove one of the ways there with my friend...for the job interview trip.
I couldn't find a soul to do the drive out with me on the day of the interview so I had to do it
alone and I was tired of letting my fear dictate what I could or couldn't do so I did it.
I feel more confidence each time I challenge my fear and I win...even if I did feel anxious or have heart palpitations while doing it..it's still a victory and if I had to do it over and over again, it would
get easier.
I drove home from work, in the city, through rush hour traffic, daily, it was a long 45 minute drive. FOLKS! This was after 2 car accidents with my car totalled (not my fault) and being too afraid to drive for a 7 year period.
I felt being a non driver was a luxury I could no longer afford when my new job was 2 hours away by bus. Driving was the only solution and I counted myself lucky to have a car to drive, in a city where it gets to -20 and colder in the winter. I had to work financially and for my mental health...I get to depressed being at home longer then 3 months and the fear of being housebound, like I was for 9 months in the being of my battle with panic attacks, creeps in.
I even had a minor car accident over that year and 8 months I was doing that 45 minute drive, it was on the way home, in rush hour and it was my fault! But I had to get behind the wheel again the next day and keep on driving.
Baby steps...like in the movie "What About Bob", will get us there and that's the point. For every success I have I know I've taken back abit more of my power...I'm not a prisoner of my fear anymore unless I allow myself to be.
Fiestyfem
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| Anne-Marie, Site Director |
06-24-2003 @ 9:11 AM |
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Member
Joined: Dec. 2001
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A gold star for you! As you say, there is no miracle cure, just persistent pushing forward. Well done.
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| margaret
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08-30-2003 @ 1:14 AM |
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Member
Joined: Aug. 2003
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how long did it take to get to the point of driving on
the freeway, I don't even know how to begin. I just
can't imagine ever conquering this.
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| Fiestyfem |
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08-31-2003 @ 4:25 PM |
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Member
Joined: Jun. 2003
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Hi Margaret:
Driving by itself is a toughie for sure, never mind highway driving. I started with baby steps....driving around the block...making my comfort zone larger. Once I could drive around the block with no discomfort, I practised driving through downtown (that was very hard for me). I choose times when I knew it wouldn't be busy on the streets, evening or early morning on the weekend etc. Later when I began driving to work and back, some of the roads I took had speeds up to 80 km, it took me quite awhile to get comfortable with that. Once that got comfortable I was ready to try short trips out of the city, usually I had a friend accompany me..until I got comfortable with the highway speeds. What also helped motivate me to do this was necessity...I had to have a reason to push myself out of my comfort zone...like I mentioned earlier...going to work by bus would have taken me 2 hours, driving it was 35 minutes. A huge difference and more time to get ready and sleep.
When I first started driving the biggest help was listening to my relaxation tapes as I drove, and practising my deep breathing to relax myself. I became very aware of where I was tense and forced myself to loosen that area of my body.
I hope this was helpful.
Fiestyfem
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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: Driving down the highway, sure don't feel like "Born to be Wild"
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