Photo courtesy of Volkswagen
I was turning into a driveway, and I missed. The curb wouldn't have done much damage on it's own, but an old parking meter pole was sticking up out of the ground. I smacked into it and broke the front axle of the car. I did serious damage to this little Beetle convertible.
I feel bad today. Just bad. First of all, I was careless. I was running late to a meeting, and I totally blame myself for not paying enough attention. Second, it's going to be a very expensive mistake, and wasting money right now stresses me out. Third, I'm worried that I'm truly a crappy driver or that something's going on with my eyesight. This is the second time I've whacked into something I didn't see in 4 months.
Again, thank goodness I didn't hurt anyone else or myself. I think I just hurt my ego and wallet pretty badly.
Looking for advice, I found these 5 tips to stop beating yourself up from life coach and actress Sophie Keller:
- Stop being so hard on yourself. Let go of the need to be more special and try to be more ordinary.
- Be vulnerable and ask for help, advice or support.
- Strip the word failure from your vocabulary. Replace with word with feedback and try to approach what you feel badly about in a different way.
- Accept your dark side and embrace it. It's okay to feel envious, selfish or whatever sometimes. Accept your human-ness.
- Stop judging. Try not to say a negative word about yourself or anyone else.
Shoot. She doesn't say anything about drowning in self-pity over a bottle of vodka and cream-filled chocolate donuts. I guess that's out. I'm going to try to be more positive and see this as a learning experience. (But at my age, shouldn't I know how to drive?) I'll get my eyes checked again. I'll maybe admit that I'm not the best driver in New Jersey.
At least my insurance agent was really nice to me. Sensing that I was down in the dumps, he said, "Kristen, are you really all right?" When I assured him that I was totally fine, he said: "Hold your head high, and you make sure you have a nice day now."
Have you done something totally stupid and beat yourself up about it?
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Comments 6
Sorry to hear you damaged your car. It is good to know that no one got hurt.
I was in a pretty yuck accident in October. A woman changed lanes as I Was pulling out of a driveway and t-boned my car, and my son (7 months old at the time) was in the car, on the impact side. I cried talking to the cop, the ambulance, my mom the insurance people and the repair shop every time I had to mention my baby was in the car. we weren't injured but I felt like crap, still do; now I'm super cautious to the point of annoying.
I rear ended a woman after she cut me off. Actually I was backing out of a parking spot and she blew around me and I swear I didn't hit her on purpose! She was in a huge SUV and I was in my little car so of course I didn't do it on purpose. But she started yelling and cussing at me which made me feel worse and I had my son with me. My car was smashed and she told me I deserved it! I felt horrible even though it wasn't my fault and I cried too when I was talking to the cop, my mom, my boyfriend..! I felt so bad for incurring this extra expense which we really didn't need. But I got over it, now I laugh everytime I see this woman because everybody keeps telling me shes crazy anyway so I don't feel as bad now!
I totalled my cougar! I ran under a navigator! How the hell it happened I have no clue but I would have been badly injured if I did have my seat belt on! I guess i was just careless and no paying attention!! My engine was in my lap and I learned my lesson!
We are all lucky, I guess. I love Cougars. I had one for a long time, until I um, wrecked it. Drive safely.
Don't do that! It was an accident! You're okay & no one got hurt! Yesterday in my State A 54 year old Lady crossed the street in her Wheel Chair & was Killed! The Driver didn't see her. The sun was in his Eyes! No charges filed! Yet A Woman is Dead!! I Love my Car & all! But A Car doesn't love you back!! I'm Sorry you feel this Way.. But it so could have been worse!! Metal can be fixed... Please Feel Better!!