How to get over the fear of driving?

[Anonymous]

I got my driving license 4 years ago, but I haven't driven since. The reason I didn't drive for all this years is my boyfriend's death; he died in a car crash, and since then I'm scared of driving.
Finally after years I had the courage to start again, so I am taking refreshing classes to gain some confidence. But I am still struggling, even after many lessons.
Every time I get nervous and start to do things wrongly. When driving I constantly worry, because I don't want to hurt anyone, neither I want to cause any accidents.
I just feel like a complete failure, everyone can drive, it's like a normal thing, but I can't.
Any tips?

[UnknownReflection]

You are obviously suffering from a trauma and from that, you have developed a phobia.

Healing that takes time and patience. But the best way to heal it is exposure therapy which in simple terms, it means facing your anxities no matter how hard it can be. Take baby steps.

1. Try to keep a company while driving. Reach an arrangement with someone to keep you company and drive with them. To know someone is there to have your back, protect you and take control if you have lost it.

2. Start with less crowded places, even mostly empty streets, you can start late night driving, when nobody's around. You and the road, take your fear forward and deal with it face to face and win it over with consistency.

3. Don't take it too hard. Try to not overthink. Less thinking, more doing it. The formula is that the more we do something and experience, the more comfortable we get in it over time. But thinking too much crushes our mentality and it only increases stress.

Take councling if necessary to keep your steps and improvements on track, you might need someone to push your limits a little while watching your six.

Wish you the best and trust me, there is no limit of what we as humans can overcome, you can do this.

[Asker]

Thank you for your tips. I will definitely try them out ! I already taking coucling, like you said I need to do baby steps. I'll try to practice as much as I can.
Again thank you

[UnknownReflection]

You're most welcome.

Wish you all the best.

[exitseven]

Keep practicing. Find somebody you trust and have them go for a ride with you. If they will agree to do it again after you get back, you are doing it right.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO

[888theGreat]

You can't live in the past. Just don't take unnecessary risks.