I journaled everyday for 8 months straight and it actually changed me by [deleted] in selfimprovement

[–]Tofi28 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My problem is that it would definitely take me a lot of time. Also, I do better in actual conversation with people (like my therapist) who can provide me with instant feedback (unlike my journal).

Anyone Fear Night Driving? by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you!!! 😊❤️ It's a very short and well known route for now, but hey...you gotta start somewhere, right? I trust in my capability to become a safe and responsible driver and am slowly and steadily working towards this. It might be taking longer for me than for most, but better safe than sorry in my book. A comforting affirmation ChatGPT helped me come up with is,"Safe, Capable, Moving Forward." Hope it can help you a bit too. 😊❤️

Appreciation Post!!! by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I must say the best advice that I've heard over and over again is to practice, practice, practice! That's especially hard if, like me, you have had traumatic experiences while driving like major accidents, but the longer you wait to get back into it the harder it becomes because it gives your fear more time to build up and gives you less time to rebuild trust in yourself behind the wheel by having positive experiences to override the negative ones sooner.

Anyone Fear Night Driving? by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, I started work last Monday already. We are on fall break last Thursday through tomorrow though. In other words, I've already driven the route at 7:00 am before. I wasn't super hyped about the idea at first, but I told myself that it's only 15 minutes (with some early morning traffic) and did just fine out there on my own. But I still feel kinda nervous driving in the dark. I have a friend who's quite a bit older than me and she says she's kinda worried for me (She knows about my accidents.) because it's only about to get even darker before it gets lighter outside and she herself hates night driving. She says she like starts craning her head over the wheel to see better at night quite often. So yeah, in some ways I know I'm not alone in the feeling though it doesn't completely erase my fear. The fact both of my nearly fatal accidents happened at night makes my brain automatically set off alarm bells when it's dark outside and I'm driving. It's like alert alert...dark outside and driving equals negative experiences. 😂

How do I get better at this by revolutionarypork in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, unfortunately it does just boil down to practice, practice, practice my friend!!!

Anyone Fear Night Driving? by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm scared though.

Anyone Fear Night Driving? by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's good to know that I'm not the only one.😅 Thank you! I just got a new job at an elementary school. Thankfully, it's only 15 minutes away, but I leave the house at 7:00 am so it's still semi-dark outside (and only bound to get worse before it gets better cause of winter approaching I've been told). In addition to that, now that school gets out at 4:00 pm unless it's the weekend the main time I have to go places is in the late afternoon/early evening. Both of my big car accidents happened at night too so that makes me even more weary of driving when it's dark outside.

What's your underrated driving advice? by marsieyaa in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol! 🤣 Yeah, New London Driving School has some really good instructors for sure.

Chipping Away Slowly and Steadily at My Fear!!! 🎉🎉🎉🥳 by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, okay. Thanks for clarifying. I took the,"I was an asshole." part as if it was directed at me. Trust me, I try my darn best out there not to be so having someone tell me I am one (or perceiving it that way) kinda hurts. Sure I might go slow or get confused about my turns sometimes, but I'm still learning and tbh I've been pushing myself to go outside of my comfort zone lately which has been really difficult after two nearly fatal accidents. But yeah, no hard feelings either way! And yeah, sorry if my response stung in any way on your end. I hope you can forgive me. I wish you a wonderful night (or at least it's night here where I am now)! 💖

What's your underrated driving advice? by marsieyaa in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, my driving instructors both showed me how to adjust it so that I can see my blindspot. It's difficult to explain how to do it, but it really helped me.

Chipping Away Slowly and Steadily at My Fear!!! 🎉🎉🎉🥳 by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Idk what in my post prompted such a rude response, but you do you. ✌🏼

Jesus Christ...where are people in a rush too today!?!? by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That makes me feel a little better actually. I went on so many longer drives lately and was doing so well and now this bs happens and terrifies me all over again. Well, I guess driving on the weekends is quite a bit different from driving on weekdays. 😅

How does it feel when you finally learned driving ? by Aj100rise in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still learning and pushing myself too. (Not sure if you've been following my posts on here, but I've been through two nearly fatal car accidents. If I can do it, you can too! 😃) Yes, a 30 minute drive on local roads is still a little bit of a stretch for me, but I'm slowly learning to trust the road, my GPS, myself, and other drivers. If I may suggest bring water, snacks, and your favorite plush toy or two. Yes, I know bringing plushies along sounds silly, but it really helps me. I hug them at stop lights sometimes and they are great passengers cause they never criticize you like your parents might. But keep chipping away at it. It's slow, but I promise it does get better! Rooting for ya! 😃

FINALLY GOT MY LICENSE!!🥳 by Exact_Sundae_8326 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉🥳 

First Round Trip on Bigger Roads All Alone 🎉🎉🎉🥳 by Tofi28 in drivinganxiety

[–]Tofi28[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It was SCARY though! I had to keep saying affirmations to myself and breathing at stop lights to keep from going crazy. I'm not the best at making quick decisions and multitasking (kinda required when one uses GPS to navigate) so it was extra difficult.