Why Do I Rarely Get A Full Tank Of Gas?

Why Do I Rarely Get A Full Tank Of Gas, And Then Let It Run On Fumes Before Refilling?

"At the gas pumps I just put in five or ten dollars worth. I know I'm just going to have to get more gas in a day or two, but I don't fill it up. Driving along, I notice the tank is getting pretty low, but I wait until I'm driving on fumes before I go to a gas station."

If you never get a full tank of gas, assuming there are no monetary concerns, you have, to some degree, an irrational uncertainty about the future. This behavior is a symbolic representation of this very irrational fear. The thinking here is, What if my car is stolen? What if I wreck it? What if I need to sell it tommorrow? Of course these things can happen. However, the remoteness of any of these occuring suggests that you are greatly consumed by "what if." You have such a sense of uncertainty that you find it difficult to distinguish between those things that have a high probability of occuring and those things that are unlikely ever to happen. You feel you don't have much control over your life and that anything is possible. This belief creates a great deal of anxiety because your life is perceived as grossly unpredictable.

When you let the car run on fumes, you do so for one of two reasons. Often it's just a case of wanting to create a little excitement, to see how far you can go without filling the tank. However, if you are anxious and look at the gas gauge everry five seconds yet pass by open stations without pulling in, then there's a different reason. Here, you view getting gas before reaching your destination as giving in or giving up.

Use The Halfway Point On Your Gas Gauge As Your Empty Mark:

Whenever the needle hits this point, pull into a gas station and fill up. That's right, fill up. By sticking to this practice, you inject more consistency and structure into your days.

Strengthen Your Sense Of Certainty:

Don't let irrational anxiety about possible catastrophes rule your life. Regain control over your own circumstances by doing a quick reality check. Using whatever resources you need, such as a statistical abstract, almanac, or probability notebook, determine the likelihood that various events will occur and use this knowledge to reassure yourself that the odds are extremely high that you will still have your car tommorrow!

Of course, if car theft is a concern, there are steps that any prudent person would take, such as investing in a car alarm. If this still doesn't calm your nerves, consider the possibility that somewhere deep inside you don't feel worthy of owning your car. In that case, you need to work on your self esteem which is, of course, covered elsewhere on this site.