I’ve just returned from a whole day of driving to my office, to dinner, to sending my girlfriend home and back again - which included hitting the curb once, a near miss, lots of going round and round again while lost and driving into a wrong turn which cost me an extra 30 minutes going home. It was also the longest I’ve driven since I passed my driving test last week.
Honestly, I was nervous as hell.
But luckily for me, I knew that was what stretching my comfort zone would feel like. Because I knew this was something that was good for me and it would help me grow, I decided to face my fears down and do my best anyway.
And despite what happened, most of it was actually pretty good. And whenever I felt tense, I just reminded myself to breathe again.
The family car. Photo by Louis.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:00 am
I remember my daughter passed her test first time at age 25 and that evening managed to drive up the wrong carriageway of a road driving against traffic to her friends. I hope she breathed too! Now she feels a lot more confident and I hope safe.
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I got my license (student permit) when I was 16. I remember I almost ran over two guys that were crossing the street! But they gave it to me anyway
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:52 am
I was in my 40’s when I finally got my license for the first time. I have been driving for about 10 years now. I never imagined the freedom that would come from driving myself places all by myself. It has truly been another stage of my personal development. Learning to depend upon myself, having to pay attention to where I am going so that I can drive it myself, time by myself in the car without other people, the power of the car, all of those things were new discoveries for me, wonderful discoveries that opened me up to a new world.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Hahaha John, Roberto, you guys have no idea how much better it makes me feel to know I’m not alone!
Patricia, you’re absolutely right. The feeling of freedom and fun is something I didn’t expect - I’m starting to enjoy driving more and more.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:47 am
I agree, the freedom part is great, but after 12 years of driving it’s nice to have someone drive for me once in a while
November 5th, 2007 at 4:26 am
When I first learned to drive. I loved it. Eventually, my parents made me drive them everywhere. Because I was a better driver than they were. After a while, I hated it. Now I just accept it. And I drive my wife and family everywhere.
November 10th, 2007 at 2:05 am
I didn’t realize how co-dependent it could be to have someone else always drive me places. It can be a very controlling behavior for both the driver and the person being driven.