A little thing for many but a big one for me!

[Liberalynn]

Trying to rebuild self confidence at 54 that was shaky at best since age 5 isn't easy but I'm trying. This is why I am going to give myself a pat on the back publicly.

When I was younger there were several relatively minor incidents that led me to dread not only the thought of driving in cars but riding in them period. For a long time I would huddle in the rider's seat or backseat reading to distract myself or closing my eyes just praying for the ride to be over. I could never quite fully enjoy myself at family functions, events, or shopping because I would always imagine horrible wreck on the way home. It took me a long time to get over that and I still have to fight not to regress.

The thought of driving as you can imagine was even worse. I used every excuse imaginable not to take driver's education at 16. Then I just came clean to my parents how truly terrified I was and they quit forcing the issue.

Then when I was 32, it was suggested by a new Primary Care doctor that I had pretty bad cases of anxiety and depression and that I needed to seek psychiatric counseling. I followed his advice. The therapist he sent me too got me through the riding issue and she was unrelenting on the driving subject. I finally signed up and took professional lessons and got my license. To be honest I haven't used it much just to get myself to doctor's appointments.

This winter I was using the weather as an excuse to even chicken out of that. That and the antihistamines that I have to take for hives. But I realized that has to stop. There is very poor bus service here and the cost of taxi is pretty high.

So I told myself today I was going to force myself to drive to the grocery store today to pick up some items that I needed instead of waiting for the weekend when my sister normally takes me. I bought myself a submarine sandwich and a big gooey chocolate chip cookie as a reward.

I'm not going to lie I was still nervous as hell but I did it and that's what counts! So yay me !

[riderinthestorm]

1. You deserve TWO chocolate chip cookies!!

overcoming our fears is soooo hard but soooo worth it!!

Congratulations!

[Liberalynn]

2. Thank You!

[shenmue]

3. Hugs

[Liberalynn]

7. Thanks!

[BlueJazz]

4. "This winter I was using the weather as an excuse." Shoot.. if you're in a state that sometimes..

...has ice on the road, I don't blame you. Even I hate to drive in that mess.

I do want to criticize you though: I was thinking about lunch and now I have to go out and get a Submarine sandwich and a yummy chocolate cookie,,,maybe even 2...or 3 (for later)

[Liberalynn]

8. I live in Western N.Y.

We have ice, snow, and everything in between.

Sorry about passing along the cravings!

[cyberswede]

5. That's fantastic!~

Go you!!

[Liberalynn]

9. Thank You!

[KMOD]

6. Yay you, indeed.

[Liberalynn]

10. Thank You!

[immoderate]

11. Good for you! Leave your troubles behind. Go drivin'.

--imm

[Ratty]

12. Congrats. I can so relate

I'm terrified of driving and have never owned a car. When I moved a few years back I had to drive a rented car every day for a few weeks. Man, those first few days where white knuckles I tell you. But after a few days I started to relax and driving didn't terrify me anymore. But once I moved and stopped driving, the old terror returned. I think you need to keep driving occasionally to keep the fear at bay. Like anything, once it becomes unfamiliar it can become scary and if you make it part of an occasional routine it becomes mundane.

I'm sick of not being able to buy heavy things at the grocery store - things that can't be carried home on the bus. I had decided that I would rent one of those by-the-hour Zip car things for a couple of hours early Sunday morning to go to the supermarket, an easy route and when the traffic is very very light. I'd kind of forgotten about that but your post reminded me.

I shall reward myself by buying a whole watermelon.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. What you did is really a BIG deal, and you deserve congrats!

I understand that problem, have a friend with it.

You did great!!

[calimary]

14. Brava!!!!!!

Liberalynn the Conquerer!!!! Good work! That can be a tough one to get beyond. But you did it!!! PROUD of you!

[3catwoman3]

15. I second the...

...2 cookie idea.

Yay you, indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KittyWampus]

16. What a significant step forward. Changing habits is incredibly difficult.

Breaking out of our comfort zones.

Good going.

Congratulations.

[we can do it]

17. Great job!

[Dont call me Shirley]

18. Yes, Liberalynn, way to face your fears!

Stay alert and try to anticipate other drivers' moves. A defensive driver is the best driver.