Impatience!

[KimCosby]

Hello Everyone:
I want to get back on the road without anxiety so badly that I have almost become obsessed with doing so. Although I must admit I haven't been practicing as much on the freeway as I should. I just keep finding a reason not to go. I have no problems on the city streets or far away from home as long as there is no freeway involved. I feel really lucky that I don't experience the anxiety levels while on the city streets but I sure would like to be comfortable on the freeway again. I'm going to make a practice run this week with an adult passenger for support. Can anyone offer some tips on how to make that initial jump on to the freeway? I'll keep trying because my freedom is important to me. I just wish I could do it just once without an attack! Also, I have had a minor setback with my progress, earlier this week my husband was in a car accident. No injuries but the car was totalled. This really shook me up and made we want to stay in my safety zone even more. I know that we all take risks with everything we do...but sometimes this feels really hopeless. I am glad that Rich set up this forum so that I can not feel so alone.

Thanks for reading and any tips you can offer.

[Fiore]

Hi Kim,

It really sounds to me like you are very functional on city streets and that you are ready for the "freeway rung". I'm many "rungs" from freeways still, but one thing I have been finding really helpful in pushing myself forward is to make "new attempts" at something at a time when the roads are as quiet as possible. For example, this morning, I tackled some challenging stuff by going out at 5.00 am when I knew there would be a lot less traffic, so perhaps when you take your plunge into freeway driving, choose a time, freeway section etc. that increases your potential for meeting that challenge.

I'm sorry to hear that your husband's car was totalled. If it is any consolation, back in January, I left my car at a train station and travelled by train to visit my Dad in a nursing home ... returned by train only to find my car had been "totalled" by vandals!!! (If only I could have driven on the freeway, that wouldn't have happened!) Look at the positives .... you said there were no injuries and that might be because cars these days have advanced safety features .

Look forward to seeing your post in Success Stories regarding your freeway drive. The fact that you are doing it warrants a post.

Good Luck
Fiore

[Lana]

This may sound crazy, but I always keep a bottle of water with me when I am driving. If I start thinking about my fear, I grab my bottle of water and focus on unscrewing the cap to take a drink and take small sips of water. I do this when I am on roads that stress me out. It may help for you as well to think of something that may take your mind off from the fear onto something else. I also started listening to books on cd that keeps me occupied. This may not get you going to take the intial jump unto the freeway, but they are things that may help once you are there! Good Luck!