Feels Like A Milestone

[Gamereign555]

After more than a hellish year of learning to grow in this new skin, I have shed my fear of driving in a very big way. I actually feel safe driving around town now. I also have a job which I never thought I could handle again. I have quit drinking and that is still going pretty well. And lastly I am motivated for the first time ever and actually want to go after the things in life that I thought would be impossible for me to try. Life is worth living I know but now I just feel like I can actually amount to something and I am trying on my own it seems, rather than being lead along patiently by everybody around me.

Still got a ways to go, but don't we all.

 

[Lionheart]

Congratulations!!!! That represents a lot of hard work and you have the right to feel proud!

I am working on travel anxiety as a passenger because I fear auto accidents and it has been going pretty good, so I can kinda relate to the joy and relief of your success. Good for you for 'grabbing the bull by the horns'.

Peace,
LH

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Thank you for sharing, I have a fear of driving. It is good to now that it can be overcome. How did you overcome your fear of driving if you don't mind me asking?

May I say you are an inspiration. I have been sober for 3 years. It does feel good to quit drinking. It is nice to live a life that is sain and wholesome. It sounds like you are thriving and that is inspiring. Thanks again.

 

[Gamereign555]

Exposure I think was the key, combined with just being lucky enough not to freak out. I found that it was okay to drive down streets I hadn't been on before. Most of the time streets are laid out in grids, sometimes with avenues intersecting number streets or a themed type of thing, like presidents names or river names for example. I started driving with a compass, I never use it but you can use it to get back to the main streets, just learn a few landmarks or street names on far ends and in the middle so you don't think you are lost. If you do get lost, you can ask somebody or use a phone hopefully to get rescued by somebody you know I guess. Just remember, if there are stores on either side of a really busy street, its probably 40mph speed limit, long stretches probably 50mph. Back roads are going to be 35 or less.

 

[Srain]

Congratulations! I understand how good it feels to be able to get yourself out there once again. I gone through my fears of driving do to an accident I had down the road from here that total our car, it left me shook up for well over a year. It was debilitating and frustrating to feel so helpless.

Great job and thank you for sharing. :)

 

[Eleanor]

HURRAH!!!! :tup::) Sounds major to me. Driving is a Big Deal, and being able to do it without anxiety/panic/rage is a huge accomplishment!

Stopping drinking is no small feat either, just thought I'd mention that. "Way Cool" as they say down the beach.:)

 

[Gamereign555]

Thank you for everyone for the kind words. What drives me nuts about all this is that I can't stop here. The main thing that drives me is my need to hold onto my relationship, but relationships need maintenance.. It is hard to not confuse all that with feeling like all the accomplishments in the world are still not enough.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Hi
Try not to be so hard on yourself. You accomplished some major things. I'm proud of you.

 

[Lav]

Wow, I feel comforted and encouraged too hear all your stories. I too have a terrible fear of driving and travel anxiety. However lately I've been driving the back streets occasionally( at 60-80km/h though ) and not needing to change my shirt afterwards due to the sweat factor :laugh:. Can't quite come at the highways yet.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

(((Lav)))
I have driving anxiety too. I have a thread that has turned into a journal of sorts in the anxiety section called anxiety and driving. I do ok on driving in town. I have anxiety on the freeways. I do not sweat but I have a fear of driving on the freeways.

The last time I drove on the freeway I did'nt have anxiety. But I get anxiety every day lately.

It is hard to do things with the anxiety. I wish I had some tiips to help you out with the fear of driving. I hope if you think of anything that works you will let me know. I would appreciate it alot. I got some helpful tips on my thread anxiety and driving. I believe in sweets. I am quitting smoking and I think that is why I have so much anxiety lately. I keep hoping it will go away.

But each day I get it in the morning. I take trazedone for it and it helps alittle. /good luck with yours.