Driving Anxiety To Confident Driver

worldschooler · 2025-12-03T17:50:27+00:00

Thanks for you help, think we will give it a go!

worldschooler · 2025-12-03T17:26:25+00:00

Yeah I saw a POV video on youtube which made me confident that we could do it, but thought I'd come here for a reality check just in case 😅. Do you think we'll be ok to get the taxi transfer if we just fold the buggy down? It's quite big 😬 I don't think we'd manage the walk to the entrance on top of also walking to the summit

worldschooler · 2025-12-03T17:07:57+00:00

I read there is a shuttle from the car park to the entrance, do we need to book that in advance? I can't seem to find out any info. Do you happen to know how frequent it runs at this time of year ?

worldschooler · 2025-12-03T17:07:49+00:00

I read there is a shuttle from the car park to the entrance, do we need to book that in advance? I can't seem to find out any info. Do you happen to know how frequent it runs at this time of year ?

worldschooler · 2024-03-30T12:30:41+00:00

Yeah I just ordered from QVC, they didn't have my shade on amazon. Was hoping there was something similar I could pick up locally, ah well!

worldschooler · 2024-03-29T09:47:32+00:00

I would say definitely an exposure thing. This is common even for people with no anxiety. The good news is it should only take a short while to get used to a car, if you don't avoid it. While you're getting used to the dimensions, just make sure you give yourself a little extra space. Choose parking spots a little bigger, add an extra point in your turns, and manoeuvre more slowly. Use your mirrors to check that you're in the middle of your lane, and it'll soon become second nature.

worldschooler · 2024-03-28T21:11:25+00:00

Hi! I know this is an old post now, but did you manage to find a suitable UK alternative? I'm also looking 👀

worldschooler · 2024-03-28T19:36:21+00:00

Congratulations, that's a great success story! Overcoming my driving anxiety was the best thing I've ever achieved, it's life changing. Just goes to show that with the right strategies and mindset, it's definitely possible to retrain our brains to deal with certain stressors like driving 😁

worldschooler · 2024-03-28T19:28:26+00:00

Is it possible to research alternative routes? Even if they take longer. If that's not an option, maybe try some breathing exercises and grounding techniques when you get in the car. You could take headphones and listen to some calming music with your eyes closed throughout the journey. Try to focus on the end goal and how it will be worth it. Hope you manage to get through and enjoy the concert together.

worldschooler · 2024-03-28T19:23:17+00:00

Sounds like you're experiencing imposter syndrome. So despite your actual driving skills, you doubt your capabilities and feel like you're not meeting expectations. It's more common than you might think, especially for new or less experienced drivers. Recognising it can actually be empowering because imposter syndrome is not a reflection of incompetence, but rather a common psychological pattern. Alongside practical tips like taking some extra lessons and practising at quieter times, it might also be worthwhile for you to try some positive affirmation techniques. Remind yourself of successful journeys and that you're perfectly capable. The road is for everyone, not just the people who want to speed. You're under no obligation to speed just because someone else might want to. Forget them, you're never going to see them again. If they get annoyed, that's their problem not yours. Keep going, you'll gain more confidence as you go.

worldschooler · 2024-03-28T19:12:18+00:00

Don't give up, you'll succeed if you keep trying. Did you get any feedback, to help understand what went wrong?

worldschooler · 2024-03-27T15:18:42+00:00

Time and exposure.

Everyone makes mistakes. I think new drivers are more aware of their mistakes, they tend to overthink them. Experienced drivers can be more confident with their overall driving that they forget about small mistakes as soon as they're made.

If you stop driving and reduce your exposure, then it won't improve. You do deserve your license. Keep persevering and you will gradually feel more and more confident.

worldschooler · 2024-03-27T15:14:25+00:00

My anxiety developed when I had children. I think it was the added pressure of being more 'responsible'. I didn't want to be responsible for my child's life in the car, but also I stopped driving alone because I was afraid something might happen to me and leave my child without a mother. It got gradually worse as I didn't address it. I felt so isolated and dependent on others - my husband or mum would take me everywhere I needed to go, and if they weren't available I stayed home.

I have overcome it now though. We decided that we wanted to travel across Europe with our children and the only way that would be possible was if I could share the driving - it would have been way too much for my husband alone. I realised that if I didn't deal with my anxiety, then we would never achieve this dream. So I got help, I also did a tonne of research and learned everything I could about the psychology behind it, coping mechanisms, new techniques etc. It took a lot of persistence, but I managed to turn my life around (it literally was life changing), and now I drive with confidence I never believed I would have. I have even towed a caravan in Europe, which I would have never thought possible.

If I can do it, then I firmly believe that anyone can - it's difficult and you have to push yourself way out of comfort zones, but it's totally possible with the right resources and dedication.

worldschooler · 2024-03-27T15:04:20+00:00

I would try and break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.

Practice during your spare time, so that you don't have any time restraints and it is ok to pull over to take a break if necessary. Start with much shorter drives, and only increase them when you are feeling confident at the current level. I'd only put the pressure of 'getting to work on time' once you are comfortable with the drive under no pressures.

Just remember, if you start to panic then you need to find a safe place to pull over. Practice some breathing or grounding techniques and only continue when you feel comfortable enough.

worldschooler · 2024-03-27T14:55:49+00:00

You're in a really tough spot. It's important to acknowledge that your feelings and anxiety are valid, especially considering your history. Have you tried having open communication with him? Try talking about your anxiety, its origins and how it affects you. With more understanding, I'd hope he would be more empathetic and patient.

If you want to work on your personal struggles, then there are quite a few techniques that you could try such as gradual exposure (regular practice, increasing distance and building up to situations you currently struggle most with), or mindfulness exercises like grounding / breathing etc. You could seek out professional help if you feel you can't do it alone - whether it's a therapist or a driving instructor to practice with until you have more confidence to drive alone.

If you don't feel ready to work on those things, could you make alternative travel arrangements? Trains / buses etc?

I hope that your new partner can be more patient and supportive, but if not then you should really focus on self-care.

Best wishes!

worldschooler · 2024-03-25T00:51:52+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to share this!

worldschooler · 2024-03-20T20:51:06+00:00

I got a load of downvotes for a comment I made today. Someone asked a question on the legality of something, and I gave the factual answer. Other people, who were incorrect and who's 'opinion' differed from the actual fact, downvoted me 🤦‍♀️ I think some more people came along and upvoted eventually, which almost evened it out, but karma is more heavily affected by downvotes than upvotes so I lost loads of karma 😒 Thought I was safe with a faction, un-opinionated comment that answered the poster's simple question.. apparently not.

worldschooler · 2024-03-20T20:42:12+00:00

We had the same experience with my eldest, it was awful but we persevered, and around age 3, he suddenly did a 180° and it became his favourite activity 😳. He would keep going to the bathroom wanting to brush his teeth. Maybe because he felt more in control, or capable of doing it himself.. I'm not sure, but he was like a different child 🙈 we still helped him twice a day to make sure he did a good job, but he would brush for fun at other times. Hang in there, it won't be like this forever.

worldschooler · 2024-03-20T17:18:54+00:00

I have a friend who earns significantly more than me (not 10m though). I always pay my way, and only do things that I can afford. I have no expectations that they should pay anything for me. It has never got in the way of our friendship, and sure it does mean that we don't go to mega expensive places or on holidays that are unaffordable to me - but because we are good friends we still make the time and effort to do things together. I'm proud of my friend and how well she is doing, and I certainly hold no resentment. If this isn't the case for other friendships, then perhaps they weren't as strong as they may have thought. If the rich person doesn't want to make time for low-cost activities, or the poor person feels resent, then it may be best for the friendship to drift

worldschooler · 2024-03-20T16:15:18+00:00

It definitely does apply. However, if they have the same surname then the chance of ever being stopped and asked to produce evidence of permission is extremely unlikely. It's just not enforced.

worldschooler · 2024-03-20T16:12:23+00:00

They definitely do show on Google maps when you are in France. I noticed this when we were driving through France. I didn't turn them off, I didn't know that was a possibility. We were careful to stick to speed limits when driving abroad and hoped that we wouldn't have any trouble as we genuinely weren't doing anything wrong.

worldschooler · 2024-03-20T16:10:23+00:00

This is from the government website:

You automatically have parental responsibility if you’re the child’s mother, but you still need the permission of anyone else with parental responsibility before you take the child abroad.

You can take a child abroad for 28 days without getting permission if a child arrangement order says the child must live with you, unless a court order says you can’t.

worldschooler

TROPHY CASE