The pleasure of buying my first car in the UK… and giving my feet a rest!

A guest post by Gillian Vanbiljon

I have been in the UK caring for four and a half years. Every now and again I had a placement which required driving.

Driving wasn’t for me ….. don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love driving but not in new places. One needs to get over these fears and just do it. From highways and byways, lanes you can barely walk in they are so narrow, automatics to 4 x 4’s, I had to climb in and drive, even though my anxiety levels peaked each time. Each time I grew a little less fearful and oh how I enjoyed the freedom.

I have been yearning to buy a car in the UK just to feel a little more ‘normal’ but too scared until last week.

I did it, I bought myself a car, second hand and 10 years old, so I hope she gets me from A to Z and anywhere in between.

What has this meant to me, a simple 56-year-old woman, dealing with living life as a carer which really isn’t easy. I have no garage to park my gorgeous ‘Bluesie’ in, but you know what, that’s ok.

My little feet are temporarily being given a break from being my transport mode [haha]. My heart beats faster when I see my little car, it races when I drive it.

How wonderful it is to be able to have these feelings. Freedom, wind blowing upon my face, a little ice added to the equation just for sensation, and music, allowing me to sing and be free from the responsibility of caring for a while, engaging different senses.

At last I’m able to go to gym, which is as important as breathing to me. My ‘Bluesie’ got me there in record time so I didn’t have to rush. This is a new lease on a life that is rather mundane from day-to-day. A 2-hour break becomes half a day’s break – not really but that’s what it feels like lol.

Freedom in the way of 4 wheels equals sparkling eyes, a huge smile and a plain good old “I feel amazing”. Freedom from four walls and my feet are having a great rest.