Lady Godiva
June 25th, 2008, 08:37
Loneliness
Copyright Sandy Long
People, people everywhere and no one to talk to describes a solo drivers life. Trucking by nature is working in isolated conditions for long periods of time, the only people you have contact with being shippers/receivers, company support staff and truckstop employees.
Feelings of loneliness affect individuals differently. Some people thrive on not being around people, but the majority of us need to have human contact. Loneliness and isolation added to the possibility of going home to an empty house can lead to depression and adds to the stress of the job. Solo, unmarried, single drivers are the most apt to suffer intense loneliness.
In days gone by, most truckstops had separate areas in the cafes for drivers. If you were alone, it was not uncommon to end up with a table full
of drivers sitting with you. We traveled at slower paces and always could find a few minutes to go in and sit down for a cuppa with someone you were running with. CB’s used to be a great means of contact, but because of the misuse of the cb by some and the advent of satellite radios, fewer drivers are keeping their radios turned up if on at all.
Today’s trucking world has tighter schedules, more delays due to increased construction and traffic, and the limits of HOS which prohibit taking breaks while on the clock. Drivers have changed too. As in society in general, truckers have become less open and confine themselves to their own little world.
Finding friends both on the road and at home is difficult due to scheduling and finding someone with the same interests with good character in the short time you run with them or talk to them at a dock. Maintaining friendships or finding new friends while at home is very hard. Let’s face it, when you do get home, you have business to catch up on, housework and just don’t have the energy to expend on going out to socialize or meet new people.
If you have computer access either on the truck or at home, join a trucking organization or site and get active on the message boards. Check out the sites carefully though, some get xxx rated or have bad people lurking on them. There are single sites for truckers and non truckers on the net. They can be a useful tool in meeting friends, but be very careful. Don’t give out personal information too quickly. Scam artists, identity thieves, players and users abound on these sites. You can also pick an area of interest to study on the net, this can lead to meeting people with like interests.
Taking up a hobby that can be done on the truck and at home make the time go by faster and keeps your mind busy. Many hobbies translate well to trucking. Needlepoint, crocheting, knitting, beadwork, wood carving, jewelry making and leatherwork are a few that I have seen both men and women doing out here.
Developing a cell phone friend circle comprised of drivers and non drivers from around the country who have the same provider or that you can call when both of you are in free time can make the miles fly by. These friends can help ease the loneliness and keep one’s mind busy and active. Make sure you are hands free though.
Getting a pet, if the company allows it is a great way to ease the loneliness, add security and meet people. I have seen everything in trucks as pets from birds to a tiger. Walking your pet gives people a reason to stop and visit, provides you with exercise and gives you a chance to be out of the truck.
If the feelings of loneliness and isolation lead to depression, take action. Find a mental health provider that will do phone work with you after an initial face to face visit. Perhaps they will suggest some medicine to help you cope. If you have a church you attend, talk to your minister or find a trucker’s chapel with an onsite minister. Call a favorite family member and ask if you can call them a little more often until you can deal with your situation.
Being aware of the problems and solutions to the loneliness on the road and taking steps that fit you individually, will make your job and life easier. Remember that you are never truly alone, you have thousands of brother and sister drivers out here with you.
Copyright Sandy Long
People, people everywhere and no one to talk to describes a solo drivers life. Trucking by nature is working in isolated conditions for long periods of time, the only people you have contact with being shippers/receivers, company support staff and truckstop employees.
Feelings of loneliness affect individuals differently. Some people thrive on not being around people, but the majority of us need to have human contact. Loneliness and isolation added to the possibility of going home to an empty house can lead to depression and adds to the stress of the job. Solo, unmarried, single drivers are the most apt to suffer intense loneliness.
In days gone by, most truckstops had separate areas in the cafes for drivers. If you were alone, it was not uncommon to end up with a table full
of drivers sitting with you. We traveled at slower paces and always could find a few minutes to go in and sit down for a cuppa with someone you were running with. CB’s used to be a great means of contact, but because of the misuse of the cb by some and the advent of satellite radios, fewer drivers are keeping their radios turned up if on at all.
Today’s trucking world has tighter schedules, more delays due to increased construction and traffic, and the limits of HOS which prohibit taking breaks while on the clock. Drivers have changed too. As in society in general, truckers have become less open and confine themselves to their own little world.
Finding friends both on the road and at home is difficult due to scheduling and finding someone with the same interests with good character in the short time you run with them or talk to them at a dock. Maintaining friendships or finding new friends while at home is very hard. Let’s face it, when you do get home, you have business to catch up on, housework and just don’t have the energy to expend on going out to socialize or meet new people.
If you have computer access either on the truck or at home, join a trucking organization or site and get active on the message boards. Check out the sites carefully though, some get xxx rated or have bad people lurking on them. There are single sites for truckers and non truckers on the net. They can be a useful tool in meeting friends, but be very careful. Don’t give out personal information too quickly. Scam artists, identity thieves, players and users abound on these sites. You can also pick an area of interest to study on the net, this can lead to meeting people with like interests.
Taking up a hobby that can be done on the truck and at home make the time go by faster and keeps your mind busy. Many hobbies translate well to trucking. Needlepoint, crocheting, knitting, beadwork, wood carving, jewelry making and leatherwork are a few that I have seen both men and women doing out here.
Developing a cell phone friend circle comprised of drivers and non drivers from around the country who have the same provider or that you can call when both of you are in free time can make the miles fly by. These friends can help ease the loneliness and keep one’s mind busy and active. Make sure you are hands free though.
Getting a pet, if the company allows it is a great way to ease the loneliness, add security and meet people. I have seen everything in trucks as pets from birds to a tiger. Walking your pet gives people a reason to stop and visit, provides you with exercise and gives you a chance to be out of the truck.
If the feelings of loneliness and isolation lead to depression, take action. Find a mental health provider that will do phone work with you after an initial face to face visit. Perhaps they will suggest some medicine to help you cope. If you have a church you attend, talk to your minister or find a trucker’s chapel with an onsite minister. Call a favorite family member and ask if you can call them a little more often until you can deal with your situation.
Being aware of the problems and solutions to the loneliness on the road and taking steps that fit you individually, will make your job and life easier. Remember that you are never truly alone, you have thousands of brother and sister drivers out here with you.