Blog - November 14, 2021

Day 14: The November Happiness Challenge 2021

Six years ago, just after I concluded my masters program, I told my parents that I needed to learn to drive, and they agreed. It had been a long time coming, I was 24 and I didn’t like that I had to jump cabs anytime I needed to step out, when there was always a car that I could have driven. So, off I went to a training school to register.

The first day I resumed, my tutor said he’d leave me in the car after giving me the basic tips, and that if I wanted, I could drive myself into the gutter. He said it as bants and was laughing, but he actually meant it because he indeed left me in the car. I was so scared and thought I couldn’t pull it, but I did, as a big girl that I am.

I trained for two weeks and got my certificate of training. I was supposed to start driving immediately after to get it perfected, then I got a job in Lagos, and had to move ( without a car of course, because how does a new driver start her driving journey in Lagos?) That was the end of any driving for me for that year.

Many things happened after then, so I didn’t even have any reason to think of driving. I took Danfo regularly, and if I could afford it, I went for Uber. My Lagos days flew by and I then moved to Abuja.

After getting married, I was driven everywhere by W. I rarely had reason to take public transport and even if I had to, I’d do Uber or Taxify. This costed me a lot, and it made me not look forward to going out whenever W was not around. Regular cabs exist in Abuja, but they are so uncomfortable and they really squeeze people at the back like sardines. It is very annoying that this is allowed in a so called federal capital. I digress though😃

I am always so scared of the robbery and kidnap stories I hear that happen in these cabs. Two of my friends have fallen victim and their narration of it wasn’t pretty. In fact, anytime I want to take a cab, you’d see me standing at a bus stop for a long time checking out signs and symbols before getting in. I’m a chicken, I agree. God’s aid is sought.

It became imperative for me to learn to drive, again. I mean, I had learnt before but I needed to have a refresher course because like it is with everything else, I had not driven for a long time so I had practically forgotten the knowledge. In August, W paid for a three week driving class for me even though I told him I was fine with one week. That man doesn’t rate me.

I learnt for three weeks and I entered express o, my people. The confidence was the most important thing I needed to get, because moving the car isn’t the issue for me , the problem was facing other cars. I always told W that I wished other cars could just disappear anytime I was on the road, and he said I should create my own country. See why I said he doesn’t rate me?

Earlier today, I needed to buy something within the estate, and I drove , unaided, without anyone by my side. It’s the second time I did that, albeit at short distance, but I’m very proud of myself, because I did it afraid and I’m now on the path to being a Pro. I even parked nicely, parallel parking o, I’m confident about my driving skill now and I just need to do it more consistently so that I’d be able to drive a truck soon. Lol.

Today, we will be DECIDING on doing something we have always feared to do. I don’t expect us to immediately do that thing because it probably needs planning and all that, I just want us to make a mental note or jot it somewhere that we’d do it, and we will work towards it. It could be swimming, driving, taking a class or anything else. Tell yourself it’s possible, and JUST DO IT.

A picture of me? Take it!

I’ll be back. OBA.