Hey Everyone!
Before I begin this post, I would advise you to read my previous 'Learning to Drive: A Demoralizing Burden?' post to get an idea of how much of a 'demoralizing burden' that I thought driving really was. HOWEVER... After what has seemed like a very long roller coaster of a driving journey, I can finally say that I have passed my test, and it really is about blooming time too!
In fact, I tell a slight porky... I actually passed my driving test at the end of April... but driving around in lil' Pepper (mine and my sister's Peugeot 107) really has made me realise that it's when you've passed your test that you REALLY learn how to drive, therefore I thought I'd share my experiences with you all,
Since being insured, I've had a couple of small bumps in the car which have scared the living daylight out of me! When I say 'bumps', I mean very minor incidents which have caused me to gain a few scratches on lil' Pepper. However, the first incident was a traumatic one...
...I was driving down a very busy little street by my sixth form and had to pull up behind a parked car to give way to oncoming traffic. The car that I was giving way to flashed me to come through, so I started pulling away from behind this parked car, completely aware of the many cars building up behind me in a queue of traffic, but destined to take it slow and not feel pressured by them. I turned my wheel and edged forward, thinking I EASILY had enough room between my lil' Pepper and the parked car in front... Well, wasn't I 100% completely WRONG. The next thing I knew, I heard a 'schhhkkkkk'; that excruciating sound of metal on metal. My heart sunk. I stopped the car, leapt out, and looked (petrified) to see what damage had been done. It looked AWFUL. All I could see was the corner of the silver parked car jammed between the dented front corner of lil' Pepper's now not-so-beautiful blue armour. I was shaking and panicking. It was a relief when two of my guy friends, Tom and Liam, came over to see what had happened. I reversed my car backwards (when all the traffic behind had eventually disappeared) to find that there was no harm done whatsoever to the parked car; but poor Pepper had most definitely seen better days. Liam kindly parked my car for me as I was so shaken up, but I was just thankful that no one was hurt. My Dad, however, was absolutely fuming when he found out. The car was bought for me and my older sister two years ago, and before I set foot in it it was in impeccable condition. I felt so guilty and could completely understand why my Dad was so angry. Thankfully, he miraculously managed to push the dent out and there are now only a few minor scuffs on the paintwork. I was shocked at how easily the dent came out, but apparently it's that sort of material which looks a lot worse when pushed back to front but is quite easily pushed back out again.
Since THIS incident however... I also managed to reverse into my Nana's brick gate post coming out of her driveway, which was a slight shock to the system. This did only cause a few scratches that a bit of T-Cut and nail polish couldn't solve (my Dad doesn't know about this one... yet).
After reading this, I probably wouldn't blame you if you are wondering how I actually managed to pass my test or why I am still on the roads! Whether you are thinking this or not, I'd still love it if you could take away these three things I've learnt...
Number 1: never, (no matter how degraded you feel by driving, or any other problem), give up.
Number 2: you do only learn to drive once you've passed your test (I'm DEFINITELY still learning!).
Number 3: learn from your mistakes. Cars are killing machines; these minor 'bumps' I've had are as a result of my clumsy driving. But if a person was one of these minor 'bumps' then I could never use this 'clumsy driving' excuse to bale me out of a life-long prison sentence for killing someone.
I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this post, but I also hope it's given you some food for thought. I like to think of my 'learning to drive' experience as a metaphor for many dilemmas we face in life; if you really truly want something... then don't give up. If something doesn't work out, just learn from it, and try again, then one day you will nail it right on the head (bit cringy I know). I understand that this is only driving, but when I'm inevitably faced with various other problems in life, I will look back at my driving experiences and realise that you can get through them.
I'd love to hear about your driving experiences; feel free to leave a comment!
Speak soon,
Alex
x
Before I begin this post, I would advise you to read my previous 'Learning to Drive: A Demoralizing Burden?' post to get an idea of how much of a 'demoralizing burden' that I thought driving really was. HOWEVER... After what has seemed like a very long roller coaster of a driving journey, I can finally say that I have passed my test, and it really is about blooming time too!
Cheeky 'I've just passed my driving test' selfie with my lil' bro...
Don't ask about the 'Despicable Me' keyrings...
Since being insured, I've had a couple of small bumps in the car which have scared the living daylight out of me! When I say 'bumps', I mean very minor incidents which have caused me to gain a few scratches on lil' Pepper. However, the first incident was a traumatic one...
...I was driving down a very busy little street by my sixth form and had to pull up behind a parked car to give way to oncoming traffic. The car that I was giving way to flashed me to come through, so I started pulling away from behind this parked car, completely aware of the many cars building up behind me in a queue of traffic, but destined to take it slow and not feel pressured by them. I turned my wheel and edged forward, thinking I EASILY had enough room between my lil' Pepper and the parked car in front... Well, wasn't I 100% completely WRONG. The next thing I knew, I heard a 'schhhkkkkk'; that excruciating sound of metal on metal. My heart sunk. I stopped the car, leapt out, and looked (petrified) to see what damage had been done. It looked AWFUL. All I could see was the corner of the silver parked car jammed between the dented front corner of lil' Pepper's now not-so-beautiful blue armour. I was shaking and panicking. It was a relief when two of my guy friends, Tom and Liam, came over to see what had happened. I reversed my car backwards (when all the traffic behind had eventually disappeared) to find that there was no harm done whatsoever to the parked car; but poor Pepper had most definitely seen better days. Liam kindly parked my car for me as I was so shaken up, but I was just thankful that no one was hurt. My Dad, however, was absolutely fuming when he found out. The car was bought for me and my older sister two years ago, and before I set foot in it it was in impeccable condition. I felt so guilty and could completely understand why my Dad was so angry. Thankfully, he miraculously managed to push the dent out and there are now only a few minor scuffs on the paintwork. I was shocked at how easily the dent came out, but apparently it's that sort of material which looks a lot worse when pushed back to front but is quite easily pushed back out again.
Before (left) and After (right)...
Yep, I was so lucky, and was probably just as shocked at my Dad's miraculous handy work as you are seeing this...
After reading this, I probably wouldn't blame you if you are wondering how I actually managed to pass my test or why I am still on the roads! Whether you are thinking this or not, I'd still love it if you could take away these three things I've learnt...
Number 1: never, (no matter how degraded you feel by driving, or any other problem), give up.
Number 2: you do only learn to drive once you've passed your test (I'm DEFINITELY still learning!).
Number 3: learn from your mistakes. Cars are killing machines; these minor 'bumps' I've had are as a result of my clumsy driving. But if a person was one of these minor 'bumps' then I could never use this 'clumsy driving' excuse to bale me out of a life-long prison sentence for killing someone.
I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this post, but I also hope it's given you some food for thought. I like to think of my 'learning to drive' experience as a metaphor for many dilemmas we face in life; if you really truly want something... then don't give up. If something doesn't work out, just learn from it, and try again, then one day you will nail it right on the head (bit cringy I know). I understand that this is only driving, but when I'm inevitably faced with various other problems in life, I will look back at my driving experiences and realise that you can get through them.
I'd love to hear about your driving experiences; feel free to leave a comment!
Speak soon,
Alex
x
I enjoyed reading this :) It's been some time since I passed my test but my boyfriend is still learning to drive!
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that you don't really learn till you're out on your own and the road really is a scary place!
Glad you made it through your scrapes ok!
Even though it can be tough driving is definitely very rewarding :)
The Everyday Life of Rachel
I completely agree! So many times I felt like giving up, but I'm so glad I persevered. Being on the road is PETRIFYING but I guess I've just got to keep practicing!
DeleteI'm sure your boyfriend will pass soon!
Thanks for reading,
Alex
x
Amazing post dear!
ReplyDeletewww.bloglovin.com/blogs/printed-sea-3880191
aw thank you for reading! x
Delete