Slowing It Down, Progressive Insurance-Style

My husband thought it would be a great idea to install Progressive Insurance "trackers" in our cars. He had high hopes of getting cheaper car insurance once the reports came back and Progressive saw what stellar drivers we were. I told him before he even ordered them it was a bad idea.  I'm not a horrible driver, never been in an accident, maybe a speeding ticket, but nothing serious. Buuuut, I know I have a lead foot and do too much while driving. I knew the report would not lie and he and Progressive would see the truth about my driving skills. In the first week I got 23+ hard stops...Please note the tracker beeps every time you make a hard stop...so I am fully aware how many times a day it goes off. My husband...zero. This went on for several weeks. Finally one Sunday morning we were discussing this tracker and I kept telling him "it's a bad idea, our insurance is going to go up!" his response "why don't you just drive better?" Ummmmmmm....what?! I nearly spit my coffee out. I howled with laughter. It sounded so simple but I had been fighting the dang tracker since before it arrived. I never even thought about changing my driving habits. I just thought about how I was going to get "caught" driving badly. I had just accepted it.

That following Monday as I got in the car, I thought, let me just "try" to drive better. Let's see what happens. I put my phone away. In my purse. Out of reach. I gave the mini everything she could possibly need on our way to school and off we went. The result, no beeps. Well, well! I thought. He might be onto something. As the week went by almost no beeps. I begged my husband; look at my report card! It's so much better! I was amazed at what a defensive and poor driver I was! I had my phone in hand most of the time, drinking coffee, changing the radio, talking on the phone, etc... I stopped. I slowed down. I stopped tailgating other drivers. I stopped being that jerk that could cause a serious accident. I never thought of myself that way.

My driving time is much nicer. I still get there in the same amount of time. I am calmer. I started to wonder where else in my life I was defensive...aggressive...overstimulated...over extended?

JUST. ABOUT. EVERYWHERE. 

Constantly, I criticize my self for not doing the things I "put my mind to". I bought a book that was recommended called "Love is a Choice" (EXCELLENT book, so far...) 1/4 of the way in, it referenced  a couple other books to read, I bought all of them. A friend recommended a parenting book, I bought it. I am only 1/2 though the first book and have amassed a pile of books staring at me. Reminding me I don't have time haven't made time to read them. But I had to have them.

My body. I went to my annual physical; all my counts, levels, tests were excellent. Well under where they should be. My weight, 10lbs over where I need to be. If we are honest, 20 lbs over where I should be. I went to Checkers for lunch that day. I don't have haven't made the time to eat well. But I had to stop there. Had to eat the junk I was just told not to.

Parenting. I am not consistent. I brag about what a great routine the mini is on. I started reading another book I bought and sure enough, when I really took a look at our routine....not exactly as "great" as I thought it was.  Could account for the awesome tantrums the mini has been throwing and some of her defiance. Tonight, tried a new way, and I think it just might work. Success.

As I sit here writing this to all the women and mom's out there feeling defensive, aggressive, overstimulated and over extended; relish the little victories. Tonight, I am a better driver. Tonight, I think I am on to something for a new routine. I did not have to wrestle my alligator of a child into bed. Success. In between the mundane routine...work, daycare, dinner, clean up, shower, exhale, bed, do it all again days...find moments of enlightenment and success. My successes no longer comes in the form of a degree, new job, new boyfriend, a marriage proposal, new city, new house, or a promotion...they come when I decide to drive better. They come when I get a massage or a pedicure. They come when I step out with my girlfriends for a night out. They come when I read a book I've put off. That is my life right now.

Thank you husband of mine for being cheap and trying this Progressive tracker to save a buck. You just might have saved my sanity...for now :)

Glass of wine in hand....I'm off to finish my parenting book. Success!