As many of you sit reading this, you’ve probably got someone at home – a wife, husband, partner or significant other, who’s missing you and quietly hoping you’ll make it home safe. It’s the quiet part of your job that not many talk about, the sacrifice not just made by you as drivers, but by the families you leave behind when you hit the road.
You all know what it means to miss birthdays, school events, anniversaries, those moments when you wish you could just be there in person instead of on the other end of a video call. Sure, technology has come a long way. Video calls, messages, even GPS tracking that lets your loved ones know where you are have become great tools that didn’t exist years ago. But let’s be honest, none of that truly replaces being there, in the flesh, hugging your kids after their school concert or sitting down to a home-cooked meal on your anniversary.
Those days can be bloody hard. And for many, they come more often than we’d like to admit.
Out on the road, you get a lot of time to think. A lot of time in your own head. And sometimes, that can be the toughest part of the job. Long hours alone can wear you down. When you’re constantly missing important life moments or just craving connection, it can push even the strongest of us into a downward spiral.
Mental health struggles in our industry are real and they’re more common than you might think. We’re used to the “harden up” mentality – being tough, pushing through, dealing with things on our own. But that old-school mindset – it’s not doing us any favours. It’s time we learned to talk about what’s really going on.
We need to lose the stigma around mental health. Because the truth is, talking helps. Recognising when a mate isn’t quite himself and having the guts to ask, “are you alright, mate?” can make all the difference. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just being there, listening, can be enough. As the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.
If you’re a driver, chances are you’ve had a day (or many) where it all just felt too much. You’re not alone and you’re definitely not weak for feeling that way.
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One of the biggest issues we face is overthinking. Our minds race. We blow things out of proportion. We imagine the worst and before we know it, we’ve gone from a small problem to a mountain we think we’ll never climb. It’s human nature to lean toward the negative, especially when you’re isolated. But it doesn’t have to stay
that way.
Let’s try flipping the script.
Say you miss your kid’s birthday. You call, wish them a happy birthday, hear about the presents and what they’re doing for the day. You hang up, and that’s when the guilt can creep in. You start thinking about every birthday you’ve missed. Every goodnight you’ve said over the phone instead of reading them a bedtime story.
It hurts. We get it. But instead of sinking into that pain, try looking at it differently.
You’re out there providing. You’re the reason your family has a roof over their heads, food on the table and opportunities in life. That birthday present they just opened, you bought that. That safe, warm home they live in? You made that possible. You’re not missing moments because you don’t care, you’re out there sacrificing for them, and they love you for it.
It takes effort, sure. It’s not natural for our brains to shift gears like that. But with practice, looking at life from a more positive perspective can become second nature and it can change everything.
Next time you’re feeling low, give it a go. Think about what you are doing, not just what you’re missing. Think about the smiles you bring your family, not just the time apart. It won’t erase the hard days, but it will help you get through them a bit lighter.
Don’t underestimate the power of a smile, even one you give yourself. It’s contagious. It lifts your spirits and the spirits of those around you. Honestly, driving with a lighter heart and a clearer head is not only safer, it’s better for your soul.
So, to all the drivers out there doing the hard yards and to the families who wait patiently at home, we see you. We appreciate you, and we’re here to remind you, you’re never alone in this.
Let’s keep looking out for each other. Let’s talk more, listen more and together, let’s make this industry a place where mental health matters as much as any other part of the job.
“It’s not weak to speak.”
If you or someone you know needs to talk, you can call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
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