Published on 12, July, 2020
Who drives? :) I passed my test when I was 21, by a miracle I think as I'm a shockingly bad driver lol but somehow I did pass. I find driving incredibly stressful and I haven't driven since I was 23 and not sure if I'll drive again tbh. My car just sits there year after year I should sell it really but it's one of those things where because it's mine I don't really want to get rid. And I might drive again one day who knows :)
I drive! But it's actually strange to hear myself saying that because, due to massive anxiety, I've had a very long and difficult relationship with driving. I've also found that my driving-related anxiety nests within various other anxieties that, I think, are feeding on the same insecurities, which have probably built up from early childhood onwards. So, at it's core, it sits within what might be termed "generalised anxiety", my relationship with myself, others and the world. To summarise, I'm a generally anxious person who has also specialised in other anxieties and phobias - driving, public speaking, heights and spiders, to name other prominent ones.
My set piece on driving :) :-
For decades, in fact long before discovering I am autistic, I have had difficulties with driving. High anxiety, fear of judgement or possible confrontation from others, difficulty co-ordinating gears, speed and road position whist feeling very nervous, the pressure of knowing I wouldn't be able to access various opportunties in life without this skill, shame over the whole process taking an undue length of time (over 100 lessons initially to get me there), anxiety about travelling to new places, fear of doing something wrong (with possibly disastrous consequences) plus feeling very conspicuous in a large lump of metal on wheels (my mistakes can't be hidden - oh no!)
Understand completely with a lot of what you say above. When I passed my test I only drove every now and then, I found it to be an exhausting experience. And I only ever drove automatics I could never get to grips with doing the gears for some reason :) It's good you found an instructor who welcomed nervous drivers. I went through about 3 before I found the "one" who was like that.
Yep I was the same. Didn't always enjoy driving but did appreciate having my own space and my own music. In my own car I was in control and could choose the speed I did, have the sunroof open or the air con on. I always feel uncomfortable and anxious in someone else's car.
I tended to avoid the busier places as well. I went on the motorway once, big mistake and never again! I got so stressed and had to pull over several times. When I drove and if I drive again I will always avoid busy places and roads.
There is a lot of pressure to drive and there shouldn't be really. But my parents put loads of pressure on me to get my license. Personally I was happy walking or on the bus but at the time I was also working and needed a car to get there which is why I went for it in the end. As it happens I didn't really need to as I no longer can work and don't drive at all.
Yes!! Automatic for me also. Hand/eye coordination goes out the window when it comes to gears.