First Solo Week. I Did NOT Anticipate The Amount Of Stress!

I’ve been stumbling my way through the last three months. I promise you it gets better. I don’t know when or how, but it does. Each day you learn a bit more and then presto, things that were a huge pain become second nature.

Hang in there. Keep a great attitude and ask a ton of questions. You’ll get there.

I’ve been stumbling my way through the last three months. I promise you it gets better. I don’t know when or how, but it does. Each day you learn a bit more and then presto, things that were a huge pain become second nature.

Hang in there. Keep a great attitude and ask a ton of questions. You’ll get there.

This is the truth. I've had lots of days when I wanted to quit and I don't drive everyday. But things get easier with time. As long as you don't quit and you learn from your mistakes you'll be great.

For example, I bet you'll never leave the terminal without your paperwork again. As you familiarize yourself with where you're going, you'll get better at navigating the roads.

Not too distant memories for me this post hit home. The anxiety of a full truck stop and the stress of just trying to park and feel safe for 10hrs is brutal. Wrong turns and the embarrassment of mistakes coupled with a feeling of defeat. You are gonna win!!!

It gets a lot easier very soon. I hit rest areas for a few weeks after I did some silly stuff from the start. Trucker path is a valuable tool especially near big cities. Reserve it if arriving later in day your nerves will Thank you. Hard to justify from start not making much money but in the beginning I would rather be safe than eat.

GPS I have 2 and I learned after too many mishaps only listen to your gut and those thing aren't your bellybutton. Still to this day I have to look at them look at the road and say your both f***ing crazy I'm not doing that. I swear sometimes they route that way to see if it can be done not because they know.

In less than 2 months you will arrive at a truck stop with full confidence that any open spot could be yours. You will even get picky like what amenities does it have, is there flat parking, and be able to help the next batch of rookies get a spot and feel safe themselves. You will work hard prove yourself and be making big money and not care what the price of parking or much anything else costs. Until then be safe plan ahead and G.O.A.L a lot.

Guys leave the easy spots for the rookies if you can because someone will have more stress getting into that easy spot than you will blocked by a dumpster in the front backing between two long nose Pete's with your tandem set all the way forward and your tail swinging a mile both direction's.

Good luck and look forward to following you. Great post!

As the weeks and months pass, you are going to gain more confidence and wonder what the big deal was. But, if you start getting ****y and think "I got this, no reason or need to ________________", then one way or another, you will get bit in the hiney . Always pay attention while driving, especially your speed as it can creep up on you if you are not paying attention, watch your mirrors and don't hurry while backing. Just try your best not to hit anything, whether it is moving or not). There are some places out there where you wonder "how am I going to get around that?". Your will be much less apt to hit anything if you "SLOW you roll" and watch your tandems , just like they taught us in Joplin. The trip planning, paperwork, learning to interact with receivers and consignees is confusing at first, but will all come together. It will just "click" on. When you make a mistake, own it but don't obsess over it. It's just part of gaining experience.

DFW is not truck friendly so if you made it there in your first week you'll be fine.