Our first car!
Sometime in the last few years I stopped driving on highways. I wish I could say, “that’s over now” but it’s not.
I have never been one of those “I love driving!” types like friends of mine but taking to the highway for a short trip or certainly to drive to downtown Chicago was never a problem.
Until it was. The first time it happened, I was driving on a very familiar route on a fast-moving highway. Suddenly an out-of-the-blue terror that I was going to fall off the overpass showed up.
Like most unwanted occurrences, I dismissed it and actually forgot about it until the next time. Same thing. Initially I was angry. Where did this come from?? But it was familiar enough to pay attention to and then I remembered. This wasn’t the first time I felt this.
The same driving sensation phenomenon showed up in childhood when I stared up at anything quite tall. Sounds crazy right? Not a just fear of heights from above but below as well. Same vertigo-like symptoms, sensation of falling, totally out of balance, that I felt in the car.
Can’t explain it but can’t shake it either. A few more attempts behind the wheel to push through occurred. None worked. Sigh.
I know there might be techniques to try, programs to check out, other helps available but for now, I am choosing the “avoid highway” option on my GPS. I get where I want to go but usually slower. If someone else is driving, I am mostly OK. Trains? The best!
Just so you know, driving itself is no problem, just the high-speed, steep curves in the road and changes in elevation. I could drive to California on a two-lane road!
I’ll admit, it’s hard to acknowledge that for all the competence and confidence I feel in many areas of my life, a simple thing like driving on a highway feels paralyzing. I can write books but not easily get across town.
Yes, if someone’s life depended on it, I would go for it and trust God to keep his hands over mine. So far, that hasn’t happened.
I’ll report back if anything changes.
How about you? Anything holding you back?
Hope for the best,
Tish
PS Don’t forget to check out my new book! 100 Need to Know Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens! Available here: 100 Tips for Moms of Teens!
Hope for the Best 
Letitia- thank you so much for sharing the driving scare story! It is encouraging to know I am not alone. I can relate to the sudden scare, and how challenging it can be.
Thanks, Ann! Helps me to also know I’m not alone in this!
Thanks for sharing your vulnerability. My reaction to fast traffic as a driver has definitely brought about vulnerability, it wants to make me feel “old”. But I also tell myself that it is quite ok that I am feeling nervous, because so many other parts of my life I am having to practice bravery.
Great perspective, Mary!