Do you enjoy driving?

[TheChronicalTales]

My friend recently passed her test and is a nervous driver. She asked me at what point I started to enjoy it and come to think about it… I don’t.

I don’t mind driving to Tesco or other shortish (under an hour) routes that I am familiar with but apart from that I don’t enjoy it and find it a panic. Obviously I do it because I have to and being able to drive was almost a necessity due to where I live but I much prefer my DH driving.

So, do you enjoy driving? Am I just odd?

Its the car! I never enjoyed driving. Anything over half an hour DH had to drive. Then about 5 years ago i got a new car and its absolutely amazing. Now i fight DH over who gets to drive sometimes
You have the wrong car!

hate it with a passion since the menopause hit, & now struggle massively to do anything over 3 miles ☹️whereas before I did miles & miles ....

Sorry to ask @mattcockhand, but why does this make a difference? Again, I'm not being goady. Just curious.

I didn't find it made any difference, which is why I am asking.

I generally like driving, particularly open roads, dual carriageway, old skool 3 lane motorway. Modern motorways with 4 lanes all-lane-running and speed cameras have killed the fun a bit. Pass Plus was well worth doing, especially involving some particularly notorious stretches of the motorway network. That gave me a lot of technique and confidence.
I passed my test and immediately moved area and began driving in a very different area needing different skills. Baptism of fire but a good learning curve. Pre-sat-nav too.

Urban driving is a means to an end, but I was quite lucky to head against the flow of traffic on my commutes and it takes a big cock-up on the network to gridlock around here.

I remember relatively early in lockdown, late April/ early May before any kind of relaxation, having a beautiful day, and choosing to take a long scenic route up the dual carriageway and back round the lanes, windows open and singing loudly on empty roads as I drove back from the supermarket. Such a glorious break from life in DH's office/ the DC's Special Measures school/ youtube gamers and just feeling generally stiffled by 24/7 company.
I love the freedom of driving.

@RampantIvy......I dont know tbh. maybe it's general hormonal anxiety that has just focussed on driving? I find now that I can't hold too much information in my head any more so looking at signs and traffic and dangers is too much. Also the thought that i could crash at any moment. Also other road users. lack of confidence in my 30 years of driving experience.
makes me sound a right wuss I know but I am competent in all other life areas! it does effect my life. if i know i have to drive anywhere - even a 3 mile journey - I loose sleep for several nights before.
sorry have whittered on, but thats about the size of it!!!

I don't like it or hate it. It is a necessary evil.

I don't drive a lot but did when I had to commute 45 minutes each way in progressively more nasty and congested Vancouver traffic.

We seem intent on torturing drivers and further plugging up the roads as a way to get people on bikes or transit.

Except Vancouver is not Amsterdam. We have quite hilly terrain. It rains a LOT. The transit is great to the airport or some of the suburbs but in the city, no.

It would have taken me three buses and an hour and a half to get to work,

I drive because I have to. I have a regular med appt. today for an infusion and DH will drive me (about 30 min each way). The bus would be well over an hour. If I drove myself parking at least $10, because, you know, you should walk.

It gets easier @mattcockhand. I am through the other side now and it feels like it never happened. I hope it gets easier for you.

Love it, well except the school run and when there's another driver in the car specifically my husband brother or dad. No idea why they're all drivers themselves so rare my dad or brother come in the car unless they've had a drink.
And weekends when dh is off. He drives my car.

I don’t enjoy it but appreciate it very much. I’m grateful for the freedom, opportunities and flexibility that driving gives me.

Bloody love it. One of my pleasures in life.
I'm not that interested in cars per se, but the freedom.....

Love it. But then I live in Perthshire, so all my driving is through gorgeous scenery. I used to be on call from home for hospital emergency cover as a junior doctor, and relished doing 100mph down the dual carriageway! I’m retired now, but still love zooming down to Edinburgh to visit my kids, or heading off into the hills for a day out.

What a fantastic and timely post!
I am 48 and passed my test 14 years ago but I haven't driven. I took refresher lessons last year and am now looking into buying a car. I have a dog and not driving means he can't come anywhere with me. I am incredibly nervous about the thought of driving but I am determined to master this so when I am in my 50's I have this freedom I don't have in my life now. My new car will have as many safety features as possible/what I can afford, I am looking at a small SUV type of car.
One of the things I read recently about the fear of driving was this:

"KNOW THAT YOU’RE THE MASTER OF YOUR DRIVING

Once you’re behind the wheel, visualise yourself being the absolute chief and commander of your driving.

Don’t start driving before this is crystal clear.

You’re not a victim of driving, you are its creator. Everything is not against you but in favour of you. There’s nothing bad looming around just waiting for you to make a mistake.

The car is not made for scaring but to serve you.

Yes, there will sometimes be unpredictable situations like car breakdowns, icy roads, fog, and careless drivers which will question and try to crumble this vision.

But even these, if you analyse them carefully, can be avoided if not completely prevented thanks to some thinking, attention, and careful planning.

You’re at the helm and this fact alone should help reduce the fear of driving.

Enter the car with a positive overview and the belief of a good outcome.You have a right and need to drive normally. There’s no need to let some fear deprive you of that."

Whenever I read these words I gain confidence and I am hoping when I get my car, that these words will continue to do so.

Loved driving from the moment I had my first lesson 25 years ago.