To ask for some encouragement: overcoming fear of driving

[AngryFeminist]

2021's resolution was to finally force myself through my fear of driving. Tried to learn 4 years ago, sleep-deprived after giving birth, in a manual, in London. This did not help 😂

This time I have booked intensive lessons in an auto, in a smaller city. I'm still bloody petrified. Trying to repeat my friend's mantra: 'everyone you know does it'. I just can't get over this feeling that it's somehow impossible and I'll fail miserably at it. God knows where it comes from. Also the terror of crashing or hitting someone!

I'm bloody determined to grit my teeth and do this, but would love to hear from others who've had similar and managed to pass, or just general confirmation that this is not an impossible task and is eminently learnable (I know it is illogical to think otherwise!!)

I did this, learned at 32 started in a manual and hated it switched to auto and learned in central London in two months. Passed and never drove anywhere for another three years so got my first car in lockdown in August last year and was horrendously nervous with a massive bolt of tension in my neck. BUT as soon as I was out on my own and ‘allowed’ to make my own decisions all the stress went within a couple of weeks. And driving an auto is so easy, so much better for a learner as you can concentrate fully in the road and not the car.

Find a good instructor! Your first one sounds awful. I’d ask around for someone who is good at teaching adult learners and tbh I’d look for a woman.

Maybe try and work out what it is that worries you - if it’s the act of moving the car about, see if you can find somewhere to practice just driving about so you get used to stopping and starting before having to worry about traffic as well.

If it’s traffic, then that’s a bit more difficult to practice but you can start on quieter days or on back roads.

I think you will like an automatic. I learned stick but took 4 attempts. I was terrified and managed to have panic attacks on the motorway for a few years after. Eventually when I had to drive and did it a lot I was fine.

I'm a safe if somewhat occaisionally aggressive driver now (Also live in a city and sometimes you can't let everyone ahead of you) I like it now.

If I can do it. You can!