Driving a car is not just an everyday activity, for many people it is a very important skill and a source of personal freedom. People who are anxious about driving often report feeling that they have lost their freedom and feel almost imprisoned. But in many cases, returning to driving is not easy, for example, an accident or other bad experience can make the decision difficult. It can help to sit down honestly with yourself and ask yourself the following questions.
- Why do I want to drive/ drive again? (Ask yourself this over and over again until you really get to the bottom of it and get to the real reason.)
- How do I manage in life without a car? What is the pressure of suffering?
- How would my life be different if I drove/re-drove? What could I do, where could I go, how would my day look different?
Finding personal motivation can help you overcome fears and get behind the wheel again. Let's look at some concrete examples and motivations behind getting someone to drive again - drawn from the responses of students on Dare to Drive courses.
1. Emergencies
Imagine that one night your child has a fever or an accident and needs to be rushed to hospital. But the ambulance doesn't arrive in time, you just wait and wait, helpless and helpless. At such times, your ability to drive a car can be a lifesaver. For many parents, this is one of the most powerful motivators to overcome their fear of driving.
2. Travelling with animals
Think about it, you have a dog you love and you want to take him on trips, on holiday, you don't want to board him. Every time you've tried, he's come home sick. Plus, you know full well that you have 10-15 summers at most together. You want to spend it with him. Public transport isn't always convenient or feasible on long journeys, you can't get off the train to pee, and you can't even take the dog on the plane, except in a few rare cases. You can travel sedated in a metal box in the noise, cold and dread, and still question whether it will actually arrive. Travelling by car is not only more comfortable, but your pet can be calmer in familiar surroundings.
3. Cultivating family and friendships
Often, loved ones live further away and need a car to visit. One of my course graduates, Peter, is now back to visiting his elderly mother, who lives in another city, twice a week. Driving a car allows him to see her often and help her with everyday tasks, shopping, taking her to the doctor. What Marci missed most was that when he drove, he wanted to be able to open up to his teenage son, they talked best. He says there's a special thing about talking in the car, you're together, locked in, no way out, but the engine roaring and not having to keep eye contact is a tension reliever. For them, car rides together were about nurturing the mother-son bond.
4. Everyday tasks
Shopping, official business, taking the kids to school - all tasks for which a car is often essential. Szilvi, a former participant in one of my courses, smiles as she recalls a time when she felt that every shopping trip was a hassle because she had to use public transport and carry her shopping. Once she even dragged a chest of drawers home from IKEA on the metro, smashed the corner of the new furniture and the adventure didn't do her back any good either. Once she learned to drive again, these daily tasks became much easier and quicker for her.
5. Hobbies and leisure activities
Do you like hiking, but the best places are difficult to reach by public transport? Driving a car gives you the chance to explore nature and visit new places. Gábor, another of my course participants, loves mountain hikes. Since he started driving again, he has many more opportunities to spend his free time in nature. He wants to relive the intimate moments and conversations he used to have with his son while fishing. They always set off at dawn, loaded the car with their gear and food, and sometimes didn't get home until late in the evening, loaded with the day's loot. Anita would like to see the sea, but is afraid of flying - she is also afraid of driving, but she can imagine it easier than flying. I made her imagine herself in the salt water, thinking how she would have missed it.
Regaining the ability to drive is not only a practical benefit, but can also have a significant positive impact on quality of life. Dealing with emergencies, everyday conveniences, getting to work, and maintaining relationships with family and friends are all specific motivations that can help you overcome anxiety. Driving can bring people together, unite families, bring you closer to your dreams or even save lives. My courses are designed to support people who are anxious about driving and help them regain the confidence and joy behind the wheel. If you too feel that you would like to regain the freedom of driving, don't hesitate to sign up and start on the road to anxiety-free driving!
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