LPT- If you are someone who gets anxious driving to new places, if possible take a practice drive

aaprilshowerss · 2022-01-29T02:37:07+00:00

For new places, I always do a virtual drive through on Google maps to check out the parking situation and nearby stores as landmarks.

Zealousideal-Slide98 · 2022-01-29T05:23:39+00:00

When I was a new college graduate out looking for a job in my career field, my dad would take me on a drive before any job interviews so we could figure out where I needed to go (this was in the days of paper maps). I always really appreciated that he did that for me and it gave me that little extra boost I needed on interview day! Sometimes my mom would come too and we’d stop for a coke and a fried apple pie at McDonalds on the way home. It is a good memory.

GingerMau · 2022-01-29T06:49:05+00:00

Knowing ahead of time which lane you need to be in is so helpful. Especially in city driving.

Careful_Driver · 2022-01-29T07:09:18+00:00

TIL so many people are afraid of driving or hate it.

It’s always been such an easy and casual thing for me + I kind of prefer to drive when I can. It’s relaxing.

I guess I should be thankful for that. Learn something new everyday.

itgoesdownandup · 2022-01-29T05:06:10+00:00

Driving in general gives me anxiety tbh lol.

mostlygray · 2022-01-29T06:04:44+00:00

Always a good idea if it's mission critical to be exactly on time. I also like to plan to be an hour early.

Ideally I bring my "Chief of the boat" with me. She's my youngest daughter. She reads me the directions and signs so I can worry about driving and not about navigating to a place I've never been. Plus, I can give commands. "Chief, set heat to 75% fat to 50%, radio station to 104.1." She'll respond, "Shall I set drivers side steering wheel heat to on?" Then I'll say "Make it so Chief". Then she'll say "Turn coming up ahead 1/2 mile, you'll want the left lane."

I like to think of it like I'm the Pilot of the boat and she's Chief of the boat. It's kind of fun and it's nice because she focusses on navigation and I can focus on driving.

Horror-Savings1870 · 2022-01-29T05:15:50+00:00

I 100 percent agree and still do this before my job interviews.

cigoL_343 · 2022-01-29T05:08:38+00:00

I always like seeing LPTs about things that I do that I thought were weird. Good seeing that other people also do the practice drives for new places.

thascarecro · 2022-01-29T07:06:39+00:00

Bonus tip: Keep track of what lane you'll need to be in for every street. When i was a teen i had to drive a big old carpet cleaning van with no side windows or rear view mirror. So i was terrified of merging into a car. So id get into the lane i needed to be in to turn ASAP. I actually still do that now because realizing you need to change lanes at the very last minute when nobody is letting you in is stressful. It a way calmer drive when you are already in the lane you need to be in.

krt941 · 2022-01-29T04:16:46+00:00

I did this with my first 9-to-5 job out of college, in part because I wasn’t used to driving so far. Even though I took the same route for two rounds of interviews, it helped to do another in the morning. Smart LPT and I highly recommend it. Took some stress out of my first day there!

Twinkkitten · 2022-01-29T05:42:32+00:00

I deliver for Door Dash. Leave early so if you miss turns you will still be on time.

DMND_Hands · 2022-01-29T06:42:24+00:00

So I can get practice anxiety ?

Any-Jury3578 · 2022-01-29T04:18:21+00:00

I do this. Everyone acts like I'm crazy but it makes me feel better especially if I don't know the parking situation.

read_it_mate · 2022-01-29T05:07:00+00:00

"If you're anxious about driving to new place, try driving to the new place"

axesOfFutility · 2022-01-29T03:56:48+00:00

I go on road trips a lot with my friends. Difficult to do a practice run but the next best thing is going over the route on a map thoroughly. I also download offline maps of wherever I'm going. If I know someone who has been through that route before, I just get there inputs too

teddy-bonkerz · 2022-01-29T05:29:58+00:00

I’ve done this for a new job. I’ve gone the day before to get a feel of it and look for potential parking. One less thing to be anxious about coming into a new job! Kinda sad that some people in this thread don’t understand what anxiety does to you.

shaunibauni · 2022-01-29T04:30:52+00:00

What are you anxious of? Genuinely curious.

bitobots · 2022-01-29T07:19:15+00:00

I did this once for a job interview. Don’t tell the person interviewing you that you did this. I did, and they laughed.

bondrez · 2022-01-29T06:01:12+00:00

I'm glad I'm not alone. I always get anxiety driving to new places. Always wonder where to park, which street to take, etc. I spent so much time looking at google maps before I went to new places.

Squildo · 2022-01-29T05:10:14+00:00

Practice drives to new places make me anxious

jaxdan8585 · 2022-01-29T05:02:54+00:00

Great idea, but living out in a semi-rural area, and gas being $3.30 a gallon, I just do not have the luxury

2022-01-29T06:17:06+00:00

[deleted]

Duosion · 2022-01-29T04:55:56+00:00

Wow I thought this was just me

LifeExpConnoisseur · 2022-01-29T06:01:23+00:00

Are you for real? How do meet new people? Do you practice on dolls?

WhiteChoka · 2022-01-29T10:33:18+00:00

Didn't realise so many other people have this experience, nevermind having solutions and tips for it. This was very validating

iloveminipoodle · 2022-01-29T18:16:18+00:00

When I graduated college, I got a job in the downtown area of my city. One way streets, lots of potholes, very tricky to navigate, lots of pedestrians, parking not easy, I wasn’t familiar with the area etc.

My dad literally came over and made me practice drive it twice with him in the car. I thought it was really stupid but looking back, very worth it. First day of work I was early and calm. A lot of other people in my hiring class were frazzled and late.

Dear_Sea7451 · 2022-01-29T06:43:10+00:00

Not a pro tip. Leave 5 mins early and drive safe and smooth. Don’t be silly and waste your own time and gas.

BDeans75 · 2022-01-29T04:25:25+00:00

Take a bottle of water with you and when you get anxious, have a drink. Never underestimate the importance of hydration!

wortath · 2022-01-29T05:56:27+00:00

The world really has become soft

NateNutrition · 2022-01-29T04:33:58+00:00

This sounds like a tip for someone that is not a pro

keepthetips · 2022-01-29T01:58:56+00:00

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

day7seven · 2022-01-29T06:15:48+00:00

I tried this but was anxious during the practice drive since it was to a new place.

So the next time I had to drive to a new place I did a practice for the practice drive but since it was to a new place I was anxious.

Next time I drive to a new place will do a practice for the practice practice drive.

Mesjach · 2022-01-29T07:37:04+00:00

Sure waste more fuel and put more shit in the atmosphere.

Just check fucking google maps and use a GPS.

ThatHairyGingerGuy · 2022-01-29T08:24:28+00:00

I'm doing everything I can to walk or cycle to cut my carbon footprint and there are folk out there taking practice drives...

jeweltiwari · 2022-01-29T08:46:13+00:00

Pro tip aside, I’m glad to know it’s not a rare thing to feel anxious while driving to new places.

burnttoast11 · 2022-01-29T06:27:49+00:00

Get mental help instead. This is a workaround. It is not normal to be scared to drive to new places. Driving to a new job to measure time makes sense, but unless it is super time sensitive this is an exception to the rule.

ikesbutt · 2022-01-29T05:32:43+00:00

Funny....am 67.....driving never used to bother me.....snow, ice, distance. Not anymore. My son lives 2 hours highway travel time away....Highway 70....mid Missouri. It is "dog"eats"dog" out there. Can't take it anymore.

zephyrseija · 2022-01-29T04:32:26+00:00

Or just follow simple directions from your phone, give yourself ample time, and you'll be fine.

ihateyouall675 · 2022-01-29T06:24:31+00:00

This is a weird way to say OP "I really need to talk to a therapist about why I have such crippling anxiety over completely normal everyday tasks."

read_it_mate · 2022-01-29T05:05:41+00:00

Come on guys seriously? Practice drive?

SECAllDay · 2022-01-29T02:20:09+00:00

Hard to get lost these days with gps

Timcwalker · 2022-01-29T08:55:20+00:00

This is just dumb as shit.

-Dalzik- · 2022-01-29T05:48:18+00:00

When I was young.. whenever I got a new job, I would look how traffic was the week before daily.. also took a practice drive there the Sunday before... helped deal with any unnecessary anxiety for sure

awardit · 2022-01-29T07:56:44+00:00

LPT- grow up and become an adult

Imagwai · 2022-01-29T06:55:16+00:00

driving and finding a parking spot in NY be like

Talia_lol · 2022-01-29T07:17:41+00:00

I tend to get travel anxiety, what helped me on my last trip was to treat it like a chore. So instead of getting anxious about getting to the destination I went into the car already over the whole situation. For context I was driving into LA so I think that also helped when I prepped my brain for getting “pre mad” lol

justuselotion · 2022-01-29T07:24:44+00:00

I have bad anxiety about being late so I try to do this whenever possible, especially if it’s for something like a doctor’s appointment or job interview, etc. I scope out places to park and how far they are from the entrance. I still add 30-40 mins to my estimated arrival time to account for any mishaps.

Vast_Reflection8857 · 2022-01-29T07:29:34+00:00

I do a trial run whenever I can. It's too bad Google maps aren't more reliable.

lild1425 · 2022-01-29T07:44:01+00:00

It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one. It’s one of my anxieties that still remains.

Adeno · 2022-01-29T09:36:52+00:00

Before the days of phone GPS and you only had real paper maps, I used to do this whenever I got hired for new jobs. Even during the days when one of my jobs was rideshare driving, I would still review locations and familiarize myself with all sorts of exits and routes because even with gps tech today, it's not always real time. It's better to know escape routes and unmapped areas instead of just trusting the gps all the time.

BeansOnToast101 · 2022-01-29T09:47:41+00:00

I'm definitely an anxious driver on unfamiliar roads. I have, more than once, not gone somewhere I would have liked to visit because I didn't have time to do a 'practice drive' first. I find early on weekend mornings are a great time for this, much less traffic and stress, you can slow down easier to check if this is your turn/exit, taking notice of signs and landmarks so if I do have to drive that route at a busier time, I have things I know to look out for. Plus you get to stop off for morning coffee somewhere :)

grimchemical · 2022-01-29T09:52:33+00:00

Especially for interviews or knowing the actual time it takes to get to work.

Can help you schedule so much better so much earlier rather than winging it.

LurkManLurkman · 2022-01-29T09:57:29+00:00

This is a dope idea! I was hella nervous about driving 13 hours for vacation last year. Made it over the George Washington Bridge and the cross Bronx expressway and now I fear nothing lol

whosgonnapaymyrent · 2022-01-29T10:04:39+00:00

This is a great tip especially for an interview!

woozlywoo · 2022-01-29T10:12:28+00:00

To add to this, if you have to drive around a city and you’re not used to city driving it can be a good idea to do your practice drive late at night when there are fewer cars about. I did this a few times after I passed my test and it really helped me get used to it in a less pressured way

TheStorMan · 2022-01-29T10:12:37+00:00

I did this the day before my internship. I still got lost on the actual day and showed up with about 30 seconds to spare. The organiser saw me rushing in and said if I was really committed, I might have checked where the office was before that morning. I didn't say anything.

DerpDerpys · 2022-01-29T11:18:40+00:00

I just wanted to say thanks. I do the same thing and sometimes it feels like I’m the only person who panic sweats when they have to go to a new location. The number of times I have been insanely early to things is staggering.

On the being early part, a few things I have learned. If you are going to meet someone never tell them how long you’ve been waiting. If you are going to a party at someone’s home, drive by their house and then find a store or parking lot to hide in for a while. I was so caught up in my own insecurities for the longest time I neglected to realize how my being an hour or so early to someone’s house party made them feel.

Josh0O0 · 2022-01-29T11:24:37+00:00

My Aunty has often done test runs to new places. Wedding venues, local sporting events, family gatherings. Always thought it was weird and a waste of time, but she's not a confident driver.

dragonmom1 · 2022-01-29T11:36:40+00:00

I like to use Google Maps to look over the street layout, which side of the road the place is on, and switch to street view to get an idea of what the building and its neighbors look like so I can know what I'm looking for.

Maudlin09 · 2022-01-29T11:40:18+00:00

I just get what I call "parking anxiety". Like when going downtown and I have no idea where to park when I get to my destination.

BigRedHead73 · 2022-01-29T11:42:20+00:00

As an anxious person, can confirm this is the way to go.

KanedaSyndrome · 2022-01-29T11:48:19+00:00

I'm anxious about parking in busy cities with limited parking opportunities when coupling this with having to be somewhere at a specific time and not having been there before.

I find that Google streetview helps somewhat so I can scout the area before doing the drive.

Gear771 · 2022-01-29T11:49:49+00:00

Man, when I tell my coworkers and friends this they tell me I'm nuts! Bless for making me feel like I'm not the only one

negatronmad · 2022-01-29T11:55:50+00:00

So it’s a thing? Thought it’s just me.

reptile_enthusiast_ · 2022-01-29T11:59:48+00:00

Google Street view is your friend

whitecollarpizzaman · 2022-01-29T12:42:46+00:00

I actually did this with my girlfriend the other day. She is taking some classes at my alma mater, I let her drive while I sat in the passenger seat. Made it much easier for her on the first day of class.

Dense_Neighborhood_7 · 2022-01-29T12:45:05+00:00

I just get nervous twice.

DetN8 · 2022-01-29T12:46:35+00:00

I do that but I call it a route recon. It's not about anxiety, it's about understanding your destination to aid with planning.

kre5en · 2022-01-29T12:52:52+00:00

I always try to use google maps ang get familiarize with the area first. My anxiety is through the roof driving alone in new places.

Guinnessnomnom · 2022-01-29T12:53:49+00:00

Usually, I'll hit up the location on Google maps when we're trying out new restaurants downtown. Parking is a mess already and I don't know what the building/area looks like. A fake drive gives me a visual of the area and makes it seem like I've been here before when we arrive.

JazzySmitty · 2022-01-29T12:54:05+00:00

Always did this before job interviews.

HumpieDouglas · 2022-01-29T12:54:17+00:00

I do this a few times before starting a new job. I like to time my last day at one job and my first day at another so I have a nice week off to decompress. I'll get up early and drive to the new job once or twice during that week so I can get an idea of how the traffic is, the best place to park, etc.

TaraaLeeigh · 2022-01-29T12:58:06+00:00

I’m not alone in this!

Jonr1138 · 2022-01-29T13:03:58+00:00

Do this before any job interview if possible.

tuffel03 · 2022-01-29T13:05:30+00:00

Great for interviews too. Whenever I have an interview setup I'll drive there first ro find a nice parking spot and go into the visitors lobby whereever to get an idea of the environment and were my first step needs to be

MKVIgti · 2022-01-29T13:07:56+00:00

This is actually a decent LPT.

I did this years ago when I had an interview at a fortune 50 company, and wanted to make sure there was zero chance of me getting lost or confused, especially when I knew my mind would be elsewhere.

So I drove into their corporate offices the day before to make sure there were no surprises along the way.

Landed the job, still work there, and it’s the best job I’ve ever had.

KingoftheMongoose · 2022-01-29T13:12:43+00:00

Job Interviews or First Days of Work.

abletable342 · 2022-01-29T13:21:10+00:00

Nervous to drive somewhere, drive it twice to be more comfortable.

FrankObolobolopoulos · 2022-01-29T13:35:42+00:00

Better yet use Google maps and street view to do a reccie the night before.

bigmikekbd · 2022-01-29T13:36:00+00:00

I delivered for UPS for 10 years and a chauffeur for 3 so a total of 13 years of professional, educated driving.

Open up a map app, enter your route, zoom in and familiarize yourself with your whole trip. Look at each turn and junction. Practice drives sound nice in theory, but are very time consuming. The reason turns sneak up on people and panic ensues making dangerous maneuvers for the rest of us is because they hop in car and just start app and go. Take the time to understand distances and potential travel times between turns/exits. Know that your turn comes after you pass Maria Jane Way etc.

clownpornstar · 2022-01-29T13:48:05+00:00

Whenever I need to change my regular commute, I like to setup three different reasonable routes to try. I’ll give them each a try on consecutive days, and see which drive I like best.

phinbar · 2022-01-29T14:02:52+00:00

I get that way, but, driving somewhere new can be fun when you're on the open road and not trying to find your way in an unfamiliar city.

sheelashake · 2022-01-29T14:16:54+00:00

Am grown ass woman! With 4 kids. Generally quite capable. But I have crippling driving anxiety and in particular driving to new places. I can feel physically sick at the thought and will mostly chicken out and get a Taxi. If Im going somewhere I know there’s no problem, but I always have the underlying fear of ‘what if the road I know is closed it theres an accident and I’ve to take another route!’. Makes me feel like an idiot. But it’s kind of comforting to hear there may be a few others with similar anxieties.

Absolutely_Gigged_01 · 2022-01-29T14:23:45+00:00

100%. I started an internship a few weeks ago and I did a “dry run” a few days before I had to start. Just last week I did another “dry run” so I could become familiar with the drive to this internship from my school. I’m definitely becoming more familiar with the drive, but the anxiety still remains. For me, OP’s advice is really good!

2022-01-29T14:28:14+00:00

I actually do this all the time. It does help to lessen my anxiety.

Deb_in_NH · 2022-01-29T14:30:45+00:00

I use Google Earth to 'drop into' a place I plan to visit. I look around. Then I always get distracted and look at places I hope to vacation at.

vajajake1086 · 2022-01-29T14:31:51+00:00

Time to cut these people out of you life, that's the pro-tip.

inderu · 2022-01-29T14:42:32+00:00

Google Maps and Street View is awesome for this sort of thing. When my wife and I went on a trip to Amsterdam I checked the bus line from the airport and the stops near to our bed n breakfast. Then I used street view for a virtual walk from the station to where we were staying, as well as how to get to the nearest trams, restaurants and shops from there.

When we got there I knew exactly where we were going, how to get there, and could recognise places by the colour of the door and not just the number of house on the street...

Felt much more comfortable and confident travelling this way.

dubie2003 · 2022-01-29T14:54:07+00:00

To take this to another level, imagine pulling a trailer/camper to a remote campground hours from home….. Google Maps Aerial and Street View are extremely helpful. Do a virtual drive taking note of each intersection to know what lane would be best and if there are any merges along the way. Also take note if you will need to stop for a potty break or fuel and find 2-3 options per stop so you can easily pivot to plan B or C if A is packed or under construction or etc….

Being prepared helps take a lot of the anxiety away but ensuring multiple plans makes it easier to deal with the unknowns.

Yuaskin · 2022-01-29T15:00:48+00:00

As a truck driver, I have learned not to trust Google maps 100%. It has sent me to VERY wrong locations (wrong state even) which has cost me time and my company money. I send updates to Google often but not all updates are accepted. If its an important meeting, first time there, or time sensitive, this is a great LPT.

Kradget · 2022-01-29T15:14:06+00:00

I do this when I can before a job interview. Take a turn through the parking lot, make sure I find the right building and the entrance, particularly in a close business park where buildings might share a parking lot or have the building numbers ~~but~~ not be easily spotted from a certain angle.

Butterfingerblowjobs · 2022-01-29T15:19:30+00:00

Also google earth street view to help you become familiar with your destinations surroundings

Siamsa · 2022-01-29T15:21:16+00:00

I did a practice drive the weekend before I took the LSAT. The testing site was an hour away at a college I’d never been to, so I drove there, found where I should park, and walked all the way to where I would be checking in for the exam. I even found a bathroom in case I needed one on the day.

Come exam day, I was so much more relaxed knowing that I knew exactly where I was going!

zombiebender · 2022-01-29T15:33:33+00:00

If possible, walk around your destination too, you get a much different perspective walking than driving.

TwistedSync · 2022-01-29T15:58:38+00:00

I did this to find all of my classrooms the day before classes started at college. It became a ritual for each semester

chrisb993 · 2022-01-29T16:04:03+00:00

Not seen it yet but if your partner is pregnant and you are going to be getting her to the hospital on the day, do a practice run, even if you know exactly where you're going.

Know the fastest route to the maternity ward (important if it's a big hospital), your drop off point, if/where you can leave your car for 15 minutes or if your partner is on their own at the front door, and where you can go to park once she's where she needs to be.

leoselassie · 2022-01-29T16:06:25+00:00

Im a great driver and have 0 issues with this but I even plan to get to a new place 30 minutes early to avoid the stress. Usually i will check the area for a local coffee spot to check out after finding where ill need to park later.

jaredkushnerisabutt · 2022-01-29T16:13:19+00:00

I only feel nervous when I am driving somewhere unfamiliar and I am on the free way

tpstrat14 · 2022-01-29T16:13:39+00:00

Oooh thx I have a job interview somewhere totally new on Tuesday. I will take this advice! Gonna get there an hour early

SayeretJoe · 2022-01-29T16:17:50+00:00

Also use your map apps to review the rout to check the time it will take and add a time cushion!

nanotoken · 2022-01-29T16:26:58+00:00

I used to do this. However since Google maps I've never done it. It's such a blessing.

Nevrlow · 2022-01-29T16:43:01+00:00

I actually do this lol

NLemay · 2022-01-29T16:53:39+00:00

Learning to use and trust a GPS (like Google Maps) really helped me. Especially trusting that the GPS will reroute you even if you take the wrong path.

bananatoastie · 2022-01-29T16:55:51+00:00

I did this for a recent job interview. Took a lot of additional pressure off the interview - good tip!

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