Yesterday, I did something I had never done before. It was something I dread, ALWAYS.
I drove on the highway in Western Australia – long distance. 392 km to be exact.
Road trains – a reality of highway driving in WA.
I have an intense fear of driving and it’s something that holds me back from doing things and going places.
I never learned to drive as a teenager. I didn’t get my licence until I was well past 30. This is inherited I reckon.
My father has never had a driver’s licence.
My eldest sister was well into her 40s before she learned to drive. Other sisters were older too before obtaining a license. I’m not alone in my fretful mentalness when it comes to being behind the wheel of a car.
It’s not all driving though. I can drive around town or to neighbouring towns with no issues. But ask me to drive to a city or for a 100km plus jaunt along the highway and I start to panic.
Until I do it.
I was perfectly fine when I set out yesterday morning. The sun was shining. I had petrol in the car. The GPS was set. The CD player was filled with 80s classics.
I think I can thank Prince for getting me to Geraldton and back.
We belted out all of his top tunes together. It was fun.
I actually enjoyed the trip.
Any anxiety I had beforehand was gone once I started driving. And really, I didn’t think much about it. I just knew it had to be done so I did it.
Simple as that.
Although I did this and I am really happy with myself, I know my fear of driving is not beat.
Ask me to drive to Perth and I will flat out refuse.
My idea of Hell is to be a driver of one of these cars.
Driving in a city is a GIANT leap that I am not ready to take. Baby steps. Baby steps.
My next mission will be to Joondalup, just on the outskirts of Perth.
Dreading something because of fear?
Just DO IT. It’s really the only way to get over it.
When was the last time you did something really scary?
Kai Chronicles 
August 22, 2013 at 1:42 pm
I have a fear of highway driving too- it’s the speed & the trucks…I also tense up in tunnels & on bridges…yet I’m absolutely fine in city traffic.
August 22, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Sorry…it’s Jo…I’m faffing around with my avatar…
August 22, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Hi Jo,
It’s baffling to me sometimes. I ask myself what am I actually afraid of? And to be honest, I think it’s more of banging up my husband’s car. I mean, of course I don’t want to be maimed in an accident either. There are so many kooks on the road and they SPEED. The speed limit is 110 here (which I drive at) and I have cars passing me and are out of sight within minutes!! There’s no way they are doing 110. The front page of the paper yesterday was about the many accidents in the past couple weeks.
When people talk to me about skydiving being SO DANGEROUS, I remind them that more people die in a car than from jumping out of a plane!!
It’s something I need to get over though. There is so much going on in Perth that I could be part of, if only I could get myself there and back.
August 29, 2013 at 4:16 pm
I travel four times a year to Geraldton, it’s 454km one way for me, I go for work. I often listen to a book to while away the time and always use Navman soI can track the 5 hour trip.
August 29, 2013 at 4:38 pm
That’s a great idea!! Thanks for sharing.