One lesson I have learnt in life is that if there is something you really want to do, don’t let age, or a lack of experience or anything else hold you back. Just go ahead and do it. If it doesn’t work out, at least you’ve tried. If you never give it a go then all you are left with are regrets.
Which is how I find myself learning to drive at the age of 38. Because I want to, which is reason enough. But also because I want to be independent and if it doesn’t work out, although I’m confident it will, then at least I can say I’ve tired.
I’ve written before about making up for lost time, and learning to drive is part of that. On the road to independence the significance of me choosing my own course in life is not lost on me.
A funny thing has happened during the course of my lessons with the ever-patient Tracie. While I’ve been attempting to learn how to reverse around a corner, manoeuvre into a parking bay and successfully negotiate a roundabout without accidently changing into first gear, Tracie has been listening to me harp on about social media and marketing.
The result is that Tracie now has her own Facebook page. While it might not be of relevance to people who live outside of Nottinghamshire, it does contain some useful clips on independent driving and the ‘show me tell me’ part of the driving test.
As of today Tracie is now working for herself and isn’t affiliated to any local driving school, so if there is anything I can do to help build her business I’ll do it.
So if you can, do go over and ‘like’ Tracie, because sometimes life doesn’t take the path you think it will but even if you veer off course and take up things a little later than you thought, you can meet some really lovely people along the way.
And if you live in Nottinghamshire, do recommend Tracie to your friends.
Well done you, Rosie, for branching out. My mother learned to drive in her fifties and I know it gave her a huge sense of achievement. X
Posted by: DD's Diary | September 19, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Hi Rosie,
We both appear to be benefiting from your driving lessons! The social media and marketing certainly got my mind working and you Rosie have been a big help in me making my decision to go independent with my business.
I too certainly left training to become a driving instructor until later in life, it didn’t cross my mind until I was 40 that it was something I would like to do, and I don’t regret it.
I agree totally, if there is something in life that you want to do, then just have a go!
Posted by: Tracie Derner Driving Instructor | September 19, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Good for you Rosie - my best friend learnt when she was 45 and she now loves driving.
Posted by: Midlife Singlemum | September 19, 2011 at 08:52 PM
I was a late starter when it came to driving too. It has given me so much freedom
Posted by: The Mad House | September 20, 2011 at 02:17 PM
Good luck and well done on learning to drive!
I can honestly say that passing my driving test is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'd happily resit all of my exams for my degree rather than have to take my driving test again! It took me four times and a lot of disappointment before I did eventually pass, but I stuck with it and I got there in the end. (And I'm now an okay driver.. honestly!) It was the best feeling in the world when I passed!
Posted by: Avon representative | December 08, 2011 at 05:10 PM