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I know that a car is a car and transportation is important, but I feel self-conscious when I'm driving. I only ever see decent-looking cars on the road. What advice can you give me to not feel bad about driving an old rundown car? I don't have the means to buy a better car.
Try expressing thankfulness out loud that you have a vehicle and try to do more good with it, like giving blind and elderly people rides to the store.
Lots of people can't afford a car, and other people can't drive for one reason or another. Think of what their lives are like.
If that doesn't work, take one day and ride the bus, ride your bike, walk, beg rides . . . try to really understand all of the tasks that are made easier by being able to own and drive a vehicle.
Appreciating what you have is one of the greatest gifts that you can give yourself, I think.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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You really have to learn not to be concerned about what strangers passing you by on the road think about you or your car. When I was in high school, 1969-70 I drove a 1958 Chrysler. I felt the same way you do now, until the others realized how roomy at was, and always wanted to take it when we went out to lunch. Even now, while I have two nice vehicles, I drive a 1997 Escort to the Park & Ride to get the bus to work. It gets good mileage, and it won't matter if it gets banged up. It also looks pitiful parked among the BMWs and Audis but I don't care what anyone thinks. Be proud that you can afford a car, many cannot, and use it as motivation to work hard to improve your situation.
I know that a car is a car and transportation is important, but I feel self-conscious when I'm driving. I only ever see decent-looking cars on the road. What advice can you give me to not feel bad about driving an old rundown car? I don't have the means to buy a better car.
I had a vehicle that I called the HooshMobile and after that I had one that everyone called The Ghetto Blaster.
They were as you say "Jalopys" but I was proud to drive both of those vehicles. They were paid for with cash, they were insured, safe, legal and did not break down, insurance was cheaper, they did not use much gasoline, and The Ghetto Blaster helped many truck drivers get needed food and clothing when they were stuck over the weekend.
We used to park that vehicle and leave the keys in it and anyone could use it they just had to replace the gasoline they used and everyone did just that.
Have you heard the line in the song "Sometimes the clothes do not make the man" well.....
I know that a car is a car and transportation is important, but I feel self-conscious when I'm driving. I only ever see decent-looking cars on the road. What advice can you give me to not feel bad about driving an old rundown car? I don't have the means to buy a better car.
I drive older cars. My current one is about 15 years old. Here is what I do when I get the new truck bug up my butt. I go to a car dealer and look at the equivalent of the truck I have but a new model. Average price is about 65,000 DOLLARS . That's SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS in case you missed it the first time.
It pretty much cures me from worrying about it.
I simply don't care what new car a neighbor bought, or that I'm not driving the greatest and latest. It's a vehicle that gets me from A to B and possibly C.
I can rebuild the engine transmission, redo the suspension, interior and paint the exterior for about 1/3 the cost of that new truck. And take the extra 40k and invest it.
I have an older car - still in good shape, but its 15 years old (Toyota).
I have gone through times when I want a newer car, and feel so tired of driving mine... but here is a little exercise I created to help me get over that (as its just not financially feasible for me to get another car at this time).
I imagine what my life would be like without a car- I visualize myself taking the bus to get groceries, sitting at the bus stop, waiting for a bus, doing that in bad weather, etc.
And after just a few minutes, I find that I love my old car and am so thankful that I have it.
Seems to me that there are deeper issues going on with you than your car's appearance. If it gets you from point A to point B without breaking down or getting you pulled over by the cops, you're doing OK.
Take a good look at yourself. If you're happy with what you see, work on being more confident in who you are and becoming more comfortable in your own skin. If you don't like what you see, work on improving what you can. Try not to give a rat's a** what other people think......it's what you think that matters and as others have said.....practice gratitude. It's a great way to keep yourself centered.
Honestly, so, life is way too short to care about what total strangers think.
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