Why Driving Gives Me Anxiety

There are many things that I had to get used to when I moved to this country. The first adjustment was being immersed in a completely different culture with a different language and many new traditions. Out of all the huge transitions, one of the biggest things I had to adjust to was driving.

It took a long time… too long.

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I had so many people helping me to get places (thank you to my husband and in-laws) for a while, I had no need to learn how to drive! I know eventually they became tired of driving me from place to place, and I don’t blame them.

In the beginning, the thought of having to get in a car and drive it made me want to go hide. Yes! That sounds crazy but it was so true! My father-in-law offered to teach me to drive, my husband decided to stay out of it because we already knew it wouldn’t work out. Eventually I learned to drive a stick shift and my father-in-law was beyond patient. Learning to drive stick is HARD. I made a ton of mistakes! I got my driver’s license a couple of years later.

Why did it take me so long to eventually take the driver’s test you ask? The answer is simple: ANXIETY.

Even though driving gives me anxiety, I drive anyway because my kids have places to go and people to see. Driving with anxiety makes me very careful while driving, and I pay attention to the road all the time. If I don’t answer a phone call or text, I can almost guarantee that I’m driving.

There are So. Many. Reasons. why driving gives me anxiety:

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Paint Damage in my car. Sorry car!!

1. Driving Mistakes – I’ve been driving on my own for a couple years but just when I think I got the hang of it I make a mistake… like parking funny in a parking lot. (I mean, if you’re still inside the lines but crooked it still counts right?!)

2. Freeways – Let’s get together you said? Does that involve the freeway? Can I get there through back roads? I HATE the freeway. Yeah, I know how to merge, I know you have to get up to speed. I still don’t care for it. It gives me major anxiety. I’m happier with the back roads even if it takes me more time to get to my destination.

3. Garage Parking – We have a small garage and thanks to my husband it’s extra jammed pack with junk shrinking the small space we already had. This makes parking inside tricky. My car has some paint damage for accidental garage crashes. (Sorry car, I know you hate me).

4. Distracted Drivers – People driving while on their phones give me anxiety, please just pay attention to the road because I don’t trust you!

5. No Turn Signals – People that don’t use their signals drive me crazy, sorry but I can’t read your mind so please use your blinkers!! No blinky, no turny!

6. My GPS Is My BFF – But she’s burned me before. Even though GPS is extremely helpful most of the time, I learned not to trust her completely. She has sent me to MANY weird places.

So I still miss the crowded buses, taxis and crazy traffic back in Peru – but I’d rather drive here than there!

Does driving give you anxiety? What helps you power through?

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Sandy
Hello OKC! I was born and raised in Peru. I visited Oklahoma twice during my summer breaks from Nursing School. I met my husband on my last trip and I decided to stay. We have 2 energetic children, Alex (7) and Amanda (4). We currently live in Midwest City. I enjoy cooking, baking, working out. and binge watching shows on Netflix with my husband. Chocolate is my favorite treat and I love it too much to give it up.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Driving makes me anxious too! Especially in the city during rush hour or on the highway! I will take the back roads every single time… they are usually prettier 🙂

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