Tales from a Bruised Mind

When I bought my first car with my own well-earned money, I was incredibly excited. I may have had about $50 left in my bank account, but right in that moment, I knew that this bond between car and me would be well worth the financial sacrifices.

I saw what would become my Ford Focus parked on the side of the road one day advertised, and in that moment I was in love. With its bright orange paintwork, silver alloy wheels and sports rear wing, it looked fast sitting still. I rang the owner and expressed my interest. All I wanted was a car to go to events in, and to go driving whenever I felt like it. It was an expensive way for Zak to be free from his issues, that’s for certain.

I see my very first car as being a bit of an extension of me. People knew me because of that car. It personified me perfectly. Unlike my good friends from high school, I wasn’t into four-wheel driving and getting stuck in the mud – I just wanted to have fun driving every single day.

If I didn’t feel so well, I would take my car up the nearby mountains and drive, drive, drive until the sun set. It was the feeling of adventure, of freedom, and of peace that did it for me.

…

I drive cars every single day for work. I evaluate them and review them and talk extensively about them. And I can tell you that it never, ever gets old.

To get paid actual money to do that is something I never thought I would be able to do. I thought it would just be one of those dreams that stay dreams, and that would be as far as it would go.

My love for cars started when I was probably 10, maybe even earlier. I had family friends who loved cars, and Dad always had interesting cars, too. The whole car thing is so ingrained in me that I feel like it’s been a love that has gone on forever. I remember reading performance car magazines like MOTOR and Wheels extensively as a kid, and soaking up those awesome feature stories about driving brand new supercars through gorgeous mountain roads.

And yes, I did watch a lot of TopGear and read a lot of Clarkson in newspapers and even his books, too. Love or hate him, he fuelled my motoring addiction even more. He was relatable and the way he described cars was hilarious.

I’ve thought a lot lately about why I love driving so much. As soon as I got my driver’s licence, I’d go exploring everywhere. I’d go out with friends from school and we’d get food and go for a drive. We’d go up the beach to the Sunshine Coast and camp behind the dunes. Those were some of the best moments of my life so far.

8 reasons why cars and driving is therapeutic

1. It can be an escape – sometimes daily life can get a bit much. If you need to step away from a situation and go driving, a car can give you that freedom to do so
2. It’s rewarding and challenging – safely testing the limits of your car, feeling it worked beneath you, feeling the steering wheel vibrate in your hands, hearing the engine suck in air and expel through the exhaust – it’s emotive, driving
3. It uses a lot of brain power – driving helps you think about the road and only the road. Concentration is crucial for driving and can actually help you forget the nastiness in your life
4. It’s a distraction – as said above, it’s a decent way to get your brain focusing on something else other than problems in your life, or your brain
5. It feels good – there is something abnout driving that can release endorphins in your brain. For a lot of people, driving is more than just A to B commuting. It’s the journey that is exciting, just as much as the destination
6. You can widely explore your area, and go further – cars can make adventuring so much fun. Getting to that hidden hiking trail or campsite, or just a really good stretch of quiet road can be such an awesome feeling.
7. It can be social – there are so many car groups out there because people love talking about their cars and the shared interest. Cars & Coffee events can be awesome ways to meet friends, and talk about your pride and joy!
8. It’s a good hobby – if you’ve got your own car, working on it, modifying it, and even just tinkering away can be a great distraction and hobby. There is so much to learn about cars, from their engineering to their systems, their suspension and even their comforts.

Zak’s take on cars

Cars have saved my life. It’s as simple as that. Having a way to escape and enjoy the small little moments behind the wheel means the world to me.

I have been there: I’ve felt so depressed and terrible about my life, and also from time to time, stressed, anxious and very worried. Yet, by going for a drive, it cures me, even if it is just for a fleeting moment.

At the moment, I don’t have a car. I am officially car-less, and that really sucks.

At a time like now, all I want to do is go explore and go driving. I guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer, for the next car to come rolling into my garage.

Love,

Zak