Profile For Dustin C.

I really appreciate all the encouragement guys. It's a great feeling knowing that I'm not insane, and I know that you guys are right. I am proud of myself for making it this far, especially as it's something so far outside my comfort zone. I'm hoping that once training is done that it'll get better for me, that I'll figure more out on my own and learn that I really can do this. Again, many thanks. I'm humbled at the amount of support I've received here today from all of you.

Thank you guys so much. It's reassuring to hear that I'm not crazy or that I'm not a complete wuss. My wife has also been incredibly supportive through this and we try to speak on the phone at least once a day. I'm lucky to have her and I don't want to let us down. I want to do better for us, and I want to be a safe driver, worthy of the title Professional. I've never taken a risk on myself like this before. Right now I feel like I'm awful at it, but maybe I am being too hard on me. I appreciate the support everyone. Thank you.

Thanks for the encouragement. This is so new to me, and I've always been prone to worrying. The uncertainty is just driving me insane and it is indeed a rough transition. I do want to provide a better life for myself and my wife, which is another reason I thought I'd try this. Retail pays almost nothing and just wasn't satisfying. I just hope I have the fortitude to stick this out. Everything is so intimidating.

Hello everyone. Just looking for some advice.

I just turned 28 yesterday while out on the road with my OTR trainer. I'm in my second week of it after fighting my way through trucking school and my company's orientation. Before all that I worked mostly retail jobs, but I got sick of retail and decided to try something new. I'm not well travelled, and it's completely different than anything I've ever done, so I thought why not get my CDL and try truck driving?

But out here on the road I find that I'm anxious about everything more often than not. I'm trying to take in everything my trainer says and learn so much in a short time, and I feel stressed because of it. I'm constantly nervous, tired, trying to remember what to do in every situation. My trainer tells me I'm doing well and that I'll be fine, but I'm just in a constant state of worry out here. I feel like I'm adrift in unfamiliar territory and it's very scary for me. FYI, I have had anxiety issues in the past, and my friends and family all tell me I worry too much.

The worst part, though, is how much I miss my wife and being home with her every night. Every day it makes me a little depressed. I miss her so much and I'm wondering if that feeling ever becomes more manageable.

My question ultimately is: am I cut out for this? Did I make a mistake? I know it's good to try new things and sometimes they don't work out, but if I quit then I owe the company that paid for my training the tuition they spotted me for this and I have to find another job. And I went through a lot to get this CDL. Does it sound like I'm reacting normally to everything or does it sound like this road just isn't for me? I'm so conflicted. I don't want to feel like a failure and an idiot, but I can't lie. I miss my wife dearly and miss coming home every day. Does one adjust to this on the road? Do I need to stick it out, or get out because I'm just a scared weakling?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. My apologies for such a long post. Thanks for reading.

- D