When will I stop thinking about it every time I drive?

[olivmich]

I've been working with the driving fear program since the middle of the summer. I have definitely made great strides with my fear of driving on the highway. I make the choice to drive on it now versus taking the back roads and try to get out and practice on the weekends. (I live and work in the same town so don't need to go near the highway during the week.)

My question now is when will I reach the point when I get on the highway ramp, drive on the highway, and not even think twice about it? Every single time that I do drive on the highway, I go through this whole thought process. First, I make the decision to get on the highway versus taking a backroad. Next, I start to get on the highway and I start the "R" in the ROAD technique by relaxing all of my muscles, then I go through the rest of the ROAD technique in my mind. I'm very conscious of the fact that I'm driving on the highway and practicing my techniques. It still isn't natural for me to just get on the highway and go.

This happens the most when I drive on the highway alone, but it also happens when I drive with my husband or kids in the car. I guess I'm measuring my success by whether or not I have to think about my fear every time I face my fear.

For those who have posted about great successes with the program, have you reached a point where it's effortless for you now?

[Rich-Admin]

If I can jump in...

I know I started to not think about it anymore when I stopped caring if I thought about it anymore, if that makes sense. It's sort of like hoping you don't think of a purple monkey...BAM! The old purple monkey thought creeps up. When you REALLY realize that what you think doesn't matter, you'll stop focusing on it, and slowly, more important thoughts will take up your day.

Make sense? Again, it's the mental struggle that prolongs everything.

Rich

[river_one]

My biggest difficulties are on the open road. The wider and clearer the road the slower I drive and more I fear that I am going to lose control. Rich once discribed this as an illussion which I guess is very correct. I can drive on narrower winding roads or in traffic in the city at much more ease and much faster then I feel comfortable on four lane highways with wide shoulders. I let the rear-view mirror distract me and put too much of an effort to see if I am not in someone's way. As soon as I see someone coming up behind me I feel pressure and hit the brakes to slow down so more.