Fear of Driving

In April 2021, I took my first driving class. Since then it was roller coaster ride in personal life. Finally in August 2022, I restarted my driving practice in Maruti 800 with my sister. This was my first time on a vehicle. I lacked road sense, had loads of unknown fear, feared every tiny thing on road. Even a slightest noise or sound while driving would startle me and if sound was from back, I would turn back. Then began my sister’s wedding preparations in March 2023. Now there was no choice. We were in road almost 12 hours a day. Driving to charminar, banjara hills, jublee hills, secunderabad all over the city. After couple of days in Maruti 800, we switched to Baleno. Summers were unbearable without ac in car. My gradual practice in baleno suddenly turned into drives to begum bazar, late night koti market along with my sister. Towards the end it was solo driving to all kinds of narrow congested roads in kushaiguda market for paper plates, water bottles, nagaram for ice cream, ecil for flowers and fruits and so many local places for last minute shopping which never ended. Thus the life taught me to drive baleno leaving me no other choice. Since then I have been driving baleno everytime i needed to step out. Fear though reduced so much but still have few tiny bit. I think that tiny fear is good. It keeps us safe and grounded.

After years of living with fear of driving, I have been driving my four wheeler for every small chore. Check out my blog for my driving journey.

Now comes the story of two wheeler. I attend a dsn course in july 2023. This is a course that helps overcome obstacles. Amongst many i realized that fear of driving still remained. I didnt know how to ride a two wheeler. In the course, i resolved to learn by end of 2023. After the course it left my mind, forgot completely. Late aug 2023, i decided to goto leh, ladakh. It was a random solo trip. One of my day trips there was exploring on scooty. Bhargav, a zostel mate and myself started our escapade on scooty. It was 4 hours of riding scooty, then bhargav says, my fingers are swollen, look. They really were. Can u please ride for sometime. Roads are straight and smooth. I sat on driving seat and I froze. Oh man never have I frozen like that. He said just try I will help. But still I froze. Then I said sorry and he rode for the rest 4 hours i think. That moment sitting back, I resolved once I am in hyd and whenever my sister has time, i need to learn riding scooty. Finally today was the day. And damn it was easy. It was again just conquering fear. It took an hour to get around the fear. Then after an hour, I actually started feeling the breeze through my hair, muscles relaxing with every second on scooty. Feeling more in control of scooty and with myself. It just took an hour and support form sharan and bontai. Thats it. So many years with the fear for nothing. All it took was one step from my side to ask for help and one step from bontai and sharan to help me out. Thank you my darlings. What would I do without u both.  ❤️❤️❤️❤️