So... I got my diver's license as soon as I turned 18. It was a very stressful period of my life, and I hated everything about driving. They promised me freedom, but I got shackled.

Passing the exam as a nightmare (took me 3 attempts) and even during the lessons the professor saw how horribly tense I was. I got sick just by thinking about the car.

Once I passed, my family decided that I'd get over my fears by forcing me to drive, every single day, for weeks, with the whole family in the car, yelling, mocking me...

I had several panic attacks that were dismissed as lack of maturity, and I stopped driving. It's been years.

But now I'm going to have to get better at this due to circumstances, and I'm scared.

I feel that I can't focus on all the elements of the road, I have a very hard time calculating distances because I'm very short (edit: 1'50m, if that is relevant) and barely see above the wheel, I have to move the seat so close to the wheel that I fear that if one day the airbag jumps, I'll suffocate. My blind spots seem infinite.

My car is automatic, so no stick to worry about.

If you have read all I wrote, I'll greatly appreciate any advice or encouragement. Thank you

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[–] 4 points 10 months ago (3 children)

I hope you can overcome your past. But if not, there are options. I lived in car-centric LA on the bus/train. It can be done. Get the right place, with groceries/laundry nearby and that has a frequent train/bus line that takes you to work, and it's not bad. Certain placed have protected bike lanes that can be fun. Youll save money, compared to car payment, gas, insurance. And youll be healthier from walking more. It's not a bad life.

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

    I have been using public transport and walking all this time with 0 issues. However, due to my career change, there's a big chance I'll be sent to work in remote towns. By car it would take me 45 minutes each way, but by bus it would be around 2h30 each way. Such a long commute would destroy me.

    Those work places are government enforced, so I can't refuse to attend (stupid system).

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