So here we are already at the solutions :) ! Just a little bit more, and you will be like brand new – reborn! First things first though, here is a list of things to focus on:
1. You should start thinking about driving your car –
I mean literally, you should start visualizing how you are driving and how it
feels so good to do so. While you are visualizing this you should take a note
of your breathing – it should be deep breaths, slow and steady. Inhale for 4
seconds, hold your breath for another 4 and exhale for 4 seconds. This should
prepare you for the real deal – when you get behind the wheel you will be calmer
just like in the visualization!
2. Think of why actually you are so afraid of driving – do you:
a) lack experience
b)
terrified of an accident happening
c) terrified of an accident happening because
of you
d) all of the above
Whatever is your reason from the above (including all
of them) continue reading to find the solution to your problem. Start a
conversation with yourself – if you are terrified of an accident happening that
is okay. They happen every day, but something like that may not be your destiny
at all. A lot of people live their lives to the end without even a single
parking ticket nor an accident. There is nothing to be afraid of, we can’t
worry for all the things that are out of our control. You have a head on your
shoulders – you will be perfectly fine, you can drive good since you have a
license so don’t worry ! If you lack experience maybe it’s time to gain some…
3. Gaining some experience.
“But I am completely terrified” – you say… don’t worry because I was probably more terrified than you. So here is how we start:
- wait until the weekend comes and nobody has to go to work with their car;
- go to
your car the first few days just to sit in it, close your eyes and smell the
car, calm yourself with the 4, 4, 4 breathing technique I’ve mentioned above,
put your hands on the steering wheel and visualize how calm you are, and how
confident you are driving on the road with it – you can do this as much as you
want, as often as you can for maximum result. Personally for me one and a half
week did the calming trick;
- wait until it’s the afternoon and everyone has
had a big pile of food stuck in them and don’t think of driving at all – that’s
your chance to get the car out for a spin – don’t worry you can just drive it
around the block a few times the first 3 – 4 weekends (you can also wait until it’s
dark outside and the traffic is low – depending on where you live, choose when
no one is driving or it has a car, or two outside, don’t rush it taking the car
for a spin in the rush hour… )
- do the
above as much and as often as you can – visualization, patience and practice is
key, own your fear, own your car – it’s just a machine and it needs you to
operate it, not the opposite !
- when
you feel more confident start taking the car out for a spin Friday night or
afternoon with a moderate traffic, and slowly build your confidence to reach
the goal – driving in moderate to heavy traffic in work days, but as I said
take your time and don’t rush it;
- don’t
listen to your family and friends that you are too nervous and scared to own or
drive a car – they may be the most important people to you, but they clearly
don’t understand this kind of fear as they have not experienced it, and that’s
okay, just tell them to be patient with you and slowly start reaching your goal
(and if you actually have a friend that is encouraging you – that’s awesome ! I
personally didn’t have one, but you may take him/her with your weekend late-hour
driving for some company and cheering up ! As you build you resistance to fear
you may need to start driving alone to get even stronger! )
Do not worry, you will get there !
