Recovering from driving anxiety is a process, not a destination. And although we are trying to get to a place where it no longer rules our lives, we need to remember that anxiety recovery is a process that we’ll be working with (off and on) for the rest of our lives. This means that setbacks are an inevitable — and normal — part of the deal.
The number one key to successfully dealing with setbacks while recovering from driving anxiety is to keep moving forward. It stinks, but, if you’ve experienced an anxiety attack while driving, remember these tips:
How to Deal With Setbacks While Recovering From Driving Anxiety
- Don’t berate yourself — You actually have made some progress, and that progress doesn’t go away just because you’re currently having a setback. Acknowledge your progress and give yourself some credit.
- Realize you have what it takes to push through — You’ve had setbacks before, in many areas of your life, and you’ve gotten through them. You will do so again in this case.
- Focus on the tools at hand — Keep using them. They’ve worked for you before, and they will again.
- Remember, this too shall pass — The only constant in life is change. It’s a total cliche, but it also happens to be true. Setbacks, victories, and everything in between is just an ever-changing part of the landscape. Try not to get too caught up in any one part of your experience, because it will change — guaranteed.
Tanya Peterson, from the Anxiety-Schmanxiety blog at HealthyPlace.com, sums this concept up rather nicely:
Like all of life, setbacks while recovering from driving anxiety are temporary. As bad as they seem, they’re a passing thing that will become different sometime in the near future. Keep going; you can do it, and you’re more than worth it.
