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Old Jun 27, 2019, 08:41 AM
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WishfulThinker66 WishfulThinker66 is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2018
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,285
Quote:
Originally Posted by DazedandConfused254 View Post
.................driving around my current city has become increasingly daunting. Even though people consider me an above average driver, .......and am overall more anxious while I’m driving.....I need a shimmer of hope so I can conquer these irrational thoughts.
Well I hear you on this. It is sort of related to a thread I just started on horrible thoughts. I share your concern about driving. Only, it just isn't my own driving I am concerned about but it is that of others.

I am told I am a very good driver. While in the military I took a number of courses like defensive driving, safe backing, winter and bad weather driving, and so on. Years later I had a commercial driver's license. But STILL everytime I put my keys in the ignition I worry I might do something wrong.

*****I however have come up with a way to get around this.... I pretend I am taking a driver's exam and road test each time I get behind the wheel. While some might think, 'whoa! wouldn't this cause more anxiety?' I actually find it rather soothing as I think out ever move beforehand. It really does help.

There is one situation though that is still a trigger for me when I drive and that is when my boyfriend is a passenger. He conducts road tests (big rigs) and training for a living. He has never criticised my driving though. Still, I get really anxious with my stomach in knots. As a result I tend to suggest he do the driving

I suggest if you feel up to it maybe trying this pretend-you-are-on-a-road-test approach as I really do find it helpful. I pretend I am talking to the tester about my intentions and what I will do before I conduct them. This also helps me not get so irritated by other drivers as it is only my own driving I am concerned about.

I am currently driving in a city that is new to me and so don't quite know my way around. This has been cause for anxiety too but I map my routes out before hand. Not just the street names, but the major sights to look for.

Great luck. You've got this. Here's a pat on the back.
Hugs from:
MickeyCheeky
Thanks for this!
DazedandConfused254, MickeyCheeky