I had a terrifying moment with my car today.
I purposely have become a night owl lately, Staying up late. And getting myself adjusted to it. So I'm wide awake.
I did this because Late at night is the best time for me to practice driving.
There are hardly any cars on the road, And I can make mistakes without causing an accident. (That sounds pretty bad I know).
It also helps me learn the actual roads, How to get into certain lanes and this will allow me to do better on those roads and feel more comfortable when I'm surrounded by other people during the day.
And hey, I'll learn how to drive pretty well at night. Which is a plus for road trips.
Note: These are actual pictures of the streets I was driving on. But AT NIGHT, For the first time. So It was more intimidating!
Thank you Google, For the photos
Going To Mcdonalds!
Why?
No, Not because I want a hamburger. But because it's an easy drive. All right turns, I figured it would help me practice making sharper turns, Because right now. I'm crappy at that.
I Turned too Early!
I ended up turning too early to the Mcdonalds. Instead of then doing a more difficult Left turn through the intersection, (Also Good practice) I decided to just go straight. I went through a couple of intersections going straight. And it was quite amusing to me. I started to wonder how far I could go straight.
But Then Things Started Getting Ugly
I saw a sign that said "Flex lanes".
Thats when I immediately started to panic, What Is a flex lane?
HELP!
I quickly thought, "I'll avoid turning, That way I can avoid the scary sounding "flex lanes." I'll go straight. Then I'll just go into a neighborhood, Turn around. And Go straight again.
I did that. But Then when I approached the intersection, I jumped into the middle lane. Assuming it would let me go straight.
That's when I saw that there was a turning arrow on it. And it would force me to turn, And by that time It was too late.
I was at the light.
I immediately looked around, At all the million lanes. WHICH ONE DO I EVEN GET INTO. OH MY GOSH!
The light turned green, And I did my best to get into the lane that would be closest towards the middle of the road.
I drove in that lane for a minute, And it seemed correct. But I was panicking. What if oncoming traffic shows up? I immediately switched lanes to the right. And I switched again.
There, I'm in the furthest right lane. So hopefully I can do an easy right turn. And start going straight home again.
Then I saw the Highway. And I was in that lane. OH CRAP! I quickly moved one lane over. So I could go straight again. I was shaking so bad; I remember being stopped at the light, Looking at my dashboard to see "0 MPH" And not believing it. Because I still felt like I was moving.
Finally, I kept going straight, and I saw a dark turn, That looked like it went into a neighborhood, So I turned into it.
I was so scared; I didn't' know where I was. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't know if I'd make it home okay. I was trying to not have a panic attack.
ALL THIS... Because I took the wrong turn! Because I couldn't freakin make it to Mcdonalds!
I sat in the middle of the road for a minute, Having a freaking cow! LOL
That's when I looked up and saw something familiar. The old run down Library that I had to go to once To take an important test. So I could graduate high school. I actually burst out laughing, Because the building looks so ridiculous and ugly. Hahahaha.
That's when I felt much better about the whole situation.
But then I came to a turn, That would get me on a road home... And Island great. WHY IS THERE AN ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I decided to just "wing it" and hope I did it right.
When I got home, I was still so freaked out. It makes me wonder if buying a car was a good decision. That's when my friend that helped me get the car. Reminded me that once I learn how to drive, It will be easy, And I won't have to learn again.
So I must deal with this discomfort
It's easy to feel like giving up when things seem overwhelming like this. But it's part of the learning and growing process!
When I look at how far I've come to achieve my goal of being able to hike whenever I want, I'm pretty dang close. I've got the car! I just need to learn how to drive; Then I'm good to go.
Of course, The cold winter will slow me down when It decides to start snowing, But for now, Those trails are waiting, and I gotta hurry.
It seems silly for me to give up now! And that's how you should see many of your goals! We often turn away when we are so close to that last stretch of learning and fighting. Then Many of our efforts are wasted.
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Only if you had some friend to teach you driving and also stays up that late? ?!?
Right? I Think I may need your help!
Good for you for pushing through your fear & panic! You did it! You're not only developing a new skill & gaining freedom, but you're literally growing new neural pathways!
For some people the mental fear blocks of trying new things are something they can't ever get over & you're out there trying & doing it!
Nice.
Really Neural pathways too!? WOO Hoo hehe :)
Heheh Of course! Basically I'm forcing myself to do it, And not giving myself the "option".
But I did have to take a break the rest of the night, Because that was scary hahaha.
best is to try to drive in small towns without a traffic and then move to big :) also all come with experience so just need to keep trying
I need to find those! I don't live in a huge city luckily. I just have to be careful to not venture too far out from my home, Because then it becomes a big city LOL.
Proof that McDonald's can ruin your day! :D
Right? And give you a stomach ache in more ways than one!
yes! They do salad and water now, and chopped carrots!
WOW! They do? I had no idea hahah
Choppers carrots in a bag are the healthy option for happy meal dessert 😊
Wow good one :) Hahaha!!! Right? as long as they don't have too many preservatives!
probably less than the rest of the menu!
If it makes you feel any better, when my friend first started driving, she thought the sidewalk was a lane, and was driving on it.... we were taking a left turn when we pulled up next to a taxi.. the boys in the back were laughing so hard, because well we made our own lane.
Don't worry, practice will make you better. :) I'm still working on my drivings skills and yes the are still mediocre. LOL
OH MY !!
hahahhaha I'm laughing so hard! That is so funny!
hehe :)
That was quite the story ^^ Don't u usually learn how to drive while getting your driving license though :P? I tried getting mine a while back now, failed twice and decided it whasn't my thing. I sometimes have a lack of focus so I am actually kinda glad it went this way. Anyways, whether you keep driving or not, don't let urself get pushed into it if u don't feel comfortable with it ;)
Aww! I know how you feel I struggle with that lack of focus as well. But driving is something I need to learn to accomplish many of my goals.
Yes! I took drivers ed when I was 16 and got my license. But I knew I wouldn't have the opportunity to get my license again, So I kept "renewing" it even though I wasn't driving.
8 years later at 24 I'm barley getting my first car so Now I have to re learn because I forgot most of the stuff I learned in high school
Can't blame you for forgetting things during high school, with all the crap you have to learn at that age :P If driving is something you really want to do I am sure you'll be able to pick it up. Good luck with it ;)
I enjoyed reading about your driving struggles. It's a good thing you choose to go out at night when it's less busier.I used to do the same years back when I was learning. I mainly concentrated on making good/proper u-turns and maneuvering at round abouts.Keep practicing and you will be perfect, you will look back on the present days and laugh hard :)
Thank you hehe :)
Thats awesome that you did the same thing as me! It makes it much easier when you aren't worried about getting hit by other cars. I hope I can look back and laugh at this.
I hate driving at night because I wear glasses and its harder for me to see the lanes and signs.
What a drag. Have you looked into taking any sort of defensive driving class or drivers ed. This might help you get more comfortable behind the wheel. Just a thought. Regardless, don't give up! Just focus on small improvments and just keep swimming swimming swimming.
I was going to suggest a driving class as well. A good teacher could start with the basics and work up from there.
Love it @kaylinart.. Thanks for writing and spend your time to share your article with us in steemit. Thanks
I'll upvote and resteem it soon, Best regard @azissuloh
Thank you :)
I have a beautiful sunset in my New article.Will you visit my Page @kaylinart..??
Yep, is McDonald
how about investing in GPS? :D
Yeah that can be tuff! If you wanna practise, drive the routine you know every day on the bussiest day! Also remember to take your time and relax! Put some music. If you make a mistake that's ok, don't do sudden moves!
remember to breathe deep. If you stuck just put all 4 blinkers and take your time. And also understand your value on the street. The more confident you are the more other drivers will respect you.
P.s. night drives are the best ;)
also loud singing in the car is recomended :D
Kudos for getting past your fears and driving. Perhaps some driving lessons with a professional during daylight hours would help to boost your confidence...
Keep trying. A little each day (or night - that's a great idea). Look how much more you know now than when you first got that car!
Panic attacks are no fun. I know, because I seriously over-react to stress. I once blacked out at the post office waiting to sign for a certified letter from the IRS. (It turned out to be nothing.)
Someone suggested an exercise to me once. Go to a safe place and think about the thing that worries you while forcing yourself to hyper-ventilate for a minute. It sounds crazy, I know. But you know that dizzy-sick feeling it gives you? The light-headed, sparkly tunnel vision, loss of muscular control thing? You can actually practice feeling that, and then recover, and realize you're okay at the end of it. That panic doesn't have to stop you from doing the thing you need or want to do.
Then the next time you feel that panic, you can dismiss it or ignore it. It's just a feeling.
Good job keep trying you'll succeed.
@kaylinart, your story made me smile. I needed a good smile. I am very sorry that you felt stressed. I understand how driving in unfamiliar places feel.
I learned how to drive a manual transmission overseas. And on top of that we drove on the opposite side of the road from the US. I usually did well overseas. It was coming back to the US that caused my brain to freak out.
Soon it will become so natural like second nature you won't even remember what is was like learning to drive... actually no I remember when I was learning to drive.. it was terrible LOL. I thought it'd never happen. You're doing great!!! That drawing of you & Laura is beautiful <3
If you are learning to drive always have someone with you who is a good driver so that they can correct you if you are making a mistake. Also driving might look really intimidating right now but as time goes by you will get more comfortable and then it would be second nature. You also picked a great time to learn, at night the traffic is not so bad so you will have less pressure while driving but still always stay vigilant and keep your seat belt on!
You brought the scary times when I was learning years ago, the roads are frightening, then the signs then it gets to much because you are panicking, think most of us have been there. Borrow a GPS and map your trip out this will help you get to know what lanes to use, wish they had them years ago :)
Great post @kaylinart nice photography, I like the color contrast, thanks for sharing us your daily life, I need your help in these difficult times, I would appreciate if you giving her a look at my last post and leave me your comment, greetings and success in everything!
#Prayformexico #Mexicostrength
Hey you're doing well! Learning how to drive is tough business indeed.
Just stay careful and avoid any potentially crowded streets. I know you're being careful, just be .. carefuler LOL
Keep it up!
Driving can be quite the ordeal, especially when it is peak hour traffic (luckily you did it at night with barely any cars). Best thing to do if possible, is try be calm and if you make a wrong turn, make a U-turn to go back so you don't end up lost and keep practicing.
It gets much easier quickly and I remember my first time on my own after I got my licence, felt the dread setting in of pulling out after school when there was traffic, times I would have to travel the windy roads and going a much higher speed etc.
Glad it all worked out and you are safe! :)
Don't scare us like that hehe :P
Don't ever give up because that's what people want you to do , when you overcome battles , you become stronger !! The wounds heal , the scars fade .
WOMAN NEVER GIVE UP !!
Just keep practicing, you'll be driving like a pro in no time! Even if you aren't, have you seen other people drive? Most of them aren't even paying attention to what's happening or where they're going, so you already have an advantage!
I don't like driving It is so tiring .
Thnx @kaylinart for putting this info all together.
At least you didn't go the wrong way on a one way street like I did with oncoming cars honking at you!
Lmao...if it were easy it wouldn't be fun, right? ;-) And I have never heard of a "flex lane" either and I have driven most of America!
Yes you cannot give up now. You might want to get yourself a GPS. I like the Garmin maker. That way something is talking to you bringing you back home if you get lost. You might also want to look up the online book of your Department of Motor Vehicles. That will help you with some of the meanings of signs. The best thing to do is keep on driving. Also there are a lot of youtube videos on driving rules. Again the best thing to do is stay on the road and put in the hours. 20 years from now you will be helping others that have panic attacks when they drive.
Good to know that you finally made it home :P Although, experimenting with your driving skills at night is never a good idea.. Not unless you have learned to drive, at least to some extent.
But I am sure this experience would make it easier for you now! :)
Don't!
A voice...
💌
I'm a weak person. come to you for help upvote .. hehe
Nothing to say . This one is for me