Driven to Drive
There was this InstaStory (Shoutout to Belle!: @b_sidebelle) I came across last month and it said:
“The thing you are most afraid to write...
Write that.”
That was enough to push me to write this blog entry. So, here I am, ready to spill some tea … This summer, one of the main goals I’ve been working on is to learn to drive and ofc park. It wasn’t easy at first. I was frightened and easily frazzled by all the jeepneys, buses, and trucks cutting me, if not honking at me. My arms were stiff and I was sweating non-stop. My sudden brakes jolted the car forward and it was not pretty my friend, but I persevered because I always had in mind why I was doing this in the first place: for myself and my liberation. Noel my A1 Driving instructor has been exceptionally patient and encouraging. He sure did know how to positively reinforce driving for me! He trained me well, and now I know how to drive calmly and defensively for safety.
Mastering driving is a big deal for me because I remember having past issues with certain people back then about not being able to take turns in picking them up or simply knowing how to turn the car engine on or off. I wonder if that’s a common issue between people; strangely enough, it was for me in the past. Because I constantly received negative reactions from those that used to be close to me for being “clueless” about how to operate a car and act on the road, I came to the realization that I should take all that criticism as a challenge to overcome even if it can be terrifying and jarring to drive in the Philippines. I can still recall those small but impactful arguments — while sitting in the passenger side feeling quite helpless, frustrated and reliant on whoever’s driving me around at the moment — about not knowing how to navigate myself and others that it became an internalized insecurity. All this isn’t easy to write about because I know for most of you, driving is probably a simple skill you learned quickly and early on in life. I only mustered the courage to get out on the road recently, and took my time to hone this skill. Likewise, writing out this personal story feels risky but also very cathartic.
Anyway, as soon as I vowed to learn to operate a car and drive myself around, I made sure to make time for it this past year by booking my dates immediately after enrolling for A1 Driving. I did it at my own pace and voila, one day, I find myself willing and able to drive my dad around the village and park the car with his trust and sweet approval! Tbh being on the driver’s seat with my dad in the passenger side was a touching and special moment. It brought me back to those days when my dad used to drive me around when I was still a kid, but this time, it was me driving him around and about #adulting !
Now all I have to do is take the LTO exam, and hopefully, I’ll pass (yikes, cross fingers). Being on the driver’s seat is honestly so freeing and empowering! When I saw that I was able to persevere and reach my goal, that made me realize how powerful emotions are in propelling people to set goals and take actionable steps for change and self-growth. Never have I ever been so thrilled by the adventure of Self-Discovery and Growth. Change is constant, and I grew to accept and appreciate this reality. It’s nice to know that a setback cannot and will not define you forever because you and I have the power to change things for ourselves through faith and discipline. This summer, I chose to be on the driver’s seat figuratively and literally, and I loved every single second of it.
Post-driving celebration with dad! His adorable smile says it all: “thank God we’re back in one piece! Cheers to that!”
Face masks + beer + food + some photo-taking with daddy!
Printed out notes for the LTO exam and apparently, I don’t need to study for it as much as I thought I had to? I’d rather be a good citizen though and know the safety precautions just in case. Y’all should review the guide too if you can!