I drove the route again instead of letting one bad experience own the road forever

Dear Delyara, Last year I had a panic attack on that stretch of road and ever since then I’ve been taking the longer way around when I can. I told myself it was practical. Easier. Better for traffic. It wasn’t. It was fear wearing local knowledge. This week I took the original route. My hands were cold on the wheel at first, and I could feel all the old anticipation trying to gather itself in my body. But I kept driving. Mile by mile, corner by corner, without turning away. By the time I reached the other end, I felt more than relieved. I felt repossessed. Fear had rented that road from my mind for too long. I took it back.