Its been a long year since my last post. But I should say its been a blessed year. 2014 is the year I started driving. After 14 years of getting a license. After 14 years of always being afraid.
And when I say 'afraid', I mean phobia. Intense, severe and persistent. One that consumes you enough to give you nightmares (Yes; like driving into the water and over your loved ones), crush your self esteem, and yet makes you clever enough to avoid any means of having to drive. One that immediately has a direct effect of your body. The stomach starts curling inwards, the head lightens and the limbs grow weak. One that sours the mood and flames the temper. One that cripples. Its funny how a four letter 'FEAR' can have that effect on you.
Trust me when I say that I took a 45 minute ride- 20 minutes on a shuttle service and 25 on a train in suburban Chicago for the entire year and half that I worked there, when I could have been done in 15 minutes by car. I braved the -no shelter, icy winter in multiple pairs of thermals and gloves. I pretended to be a 'green' person very serious about reducing my carbon foot print. Even my new born baby with a ear infection had me calling a taxi when the car was right there in the parking lot.
To get behind the wheel and rely on my own judgement was impossible. I was convinced that the part of my brain required to make decisions was conveniently missing and I would not be able to ever ever ever drive. I looked at family and friends with envy and shame. Everyone I knew seemed to be able to do it. But not me. I was not meant to. I was useless.
I tried with at least 7 instructors in the different places that I lived, the stories of which was now the main joke at dinner parties. I laughed too, but crumbled on the inside. Each time , I tried, I failed. Two accidents and a totaled car later, I quit and let it take over- shame, guilt, fear, inadequacy.
Inside- My fear grew into a big monster, staring me in the face and daring me to a fight. Daring me to use the constant support I got from my husband and from my in laws. Daring me to get myself up and lean on the positive words that I secretly memorized.
Outside- The world just went on. Manufacturing more cars. And people to drive those cars. It had no place for me.
Now when I look back, I don't know how I found the courage to even give it a last shot. Whose line was it that helped? That sowed the seeds of hope in my heart. I guess I was suffocating so much in my own fear that I had to break free. Somehow. I just had to get break this self-imposed curse.I was tired of my own excuses and my situation. I wanted out.
I prayed. I tried affirmations. Made a folder for positive quotes. I was ready to try anything until it dawned on me that the only way I was ever going to drive was if I actually tried. And though it sounds so logical and simple now when I type it out, that 'practice makes perfect'; I understood how big a Goliath my fear had become. So big that it clouded my vision and my thoughts. So huge that just looking at it was a strain. I was looking only at my fear and all its ugly shadows. I had to take my eyes off the giant and on to the purpose- 'to be able to move around and get my stuff done'. I had to get behind the wheel, start the ignition and try.
And I did. Just like that. But it was NOT easy. I would make at least 4 bathroom trips before having to drive. And I would need a painkiller for the stress induced headache. But I did not allow Mr.Goliath to get in the car. He could please wait in living room while I went to pick my daughter from school. He would not fit in an Hyundai I-10 anyway.
And slowly but 'bumpily', it happened. Each short drive I made, gave me a pocket of strength and courage to try the next one. I did scrape and scratch the car but I kept at it. It took 3 months for the bathroom trips and headaches to stop. And its been a year now. That's like a full 365 days!! And there is nothing as liberating as knowing you can do it.
Life is too short to live in fear and regret. Gather all the strength you can find and go for it.
Inside- My fear grew into a big monster, staring me in the face and daring me to a fight. Daring me to use the constant support I got from my husband and from my in laws. Daring me to get myself up and lean on the positive words that I secretly memorized.
Outside- The world just went on. Manufacturing more cars. And people to drive those cars. It had no place for me.
Now when I look back, I don't know how I found the courage to even give it a last shot. Whose line was it that helped? That sowed the seeds of hope in my heart. I guess I was suffocating so much in my own fear that I had to break free. Somehow. I just had to get break this self-imposed curse.I was tired of my own excuses and my situation. I wanted out.
I prayed. I tried affirmations. Made a folder for positive quotes. I was ready to try anything until it dawned on me that the only way I was ever going to drive was if I actually tried. And though it sounds so logical and simple now when I type it out, that 'practice makes perfect'; I understood how big a Goliath my fear had become. So big that it clouded my vision and my thoughts. So huge that just looking at it was a strain. I was looking only at my fear and all its ugly shadows. I had to take my eyes off the giant and on to the purpose- 'to be able to move around and get my stuff done'. I had to get behind the wheel, start the ignition and try.
And I did. Just like that. But it was NOT easy. I would make at least 4 bathroom trips before having to drive. And I would need a painkiller for the stress induced headache. But I did not allow Mr.Goliath to get in the car. He could please wait in living room while I went to pick my daughter from school. He would not fit in an Hyundai I-10 anyway.
And slowly but 'bumpily', it happened. Each short drive I made, gave me a pocket of strength and courage to try the next one. I did scrape and scratch the car but I kept at it. It took 3 months for the bathroom trips and headaches to stop. And its been a year now. That's like a full 365 days!! And there is nothing as liberating as knowing you can do it.
Life is too short to live in fear and regret. Gather all the strength you can find and go for it.
