In this new day and age of automatic cars, the art of knowing how to drive manual is dying. I can say that I don't know very many people who can drive a stick, but they sure know how to drive an automatic.

There isn't anything wrong with automatics. They're still great cars that you can get a lot of use out of. I've just started to think that the ability to drive a manual is a handy skill to have. It also gets very weird to drive an automatic after driving a manual for a while.

When I first started learning how to drive my manual, I was totally terrified. It was a new car, something I hadn't ever (obviously) driven before, and my grandpa was teaching me to drive it. How is it that when you're with your grandparents, your even more afraid of doing something wrong? Usually they're even more understanding than parents! But this was the first car I had ever bought on my own and it was totally different.

When you get behind the wheel of a manual for the first time, it's almost exactly like an automatic. Except for the clutch, a pedal to the left of the brake. This thing is like, the most important object in the car. It makes your car either run or not run depending if you can use it right. It's really difficult to learn how to drive using both legs after learning how to drive using just the right.

But now I absolutely love my car. Why? Well..

1. Racing

For some super odd reason driving my little Volkswagon Beetle makes me feel like I'm in some kind of race. Maybe it's cause I've seen a lot of racing movies and shows that have racers driving manuals, but I feel so awesome driving it. Plus, the engine is a turbo, so it has a bit of get up and go! It's great!

2. One of a Kind

Now I know I'm not the only one who drives a manual. But it doesn't seem like there are that many people in my generation who drive one. So I feel pretty special about being able to drive a manual while others can't. It's just another cool fact about me that I can use when introducing myself!

3. It Fits Me

I've never thought that I would one day drive a manual. They literally scared me so much because of how different it is and how much concentration it takes to drive it. Plus, learning it seemed like a hassle, in all honesty. But now? I can't even imagine not having my car! I love it, and I feel like I've found the perfect fit for me, car wise anyways. It doesn't help that it is the first car I've gotten on my own.

It's okay to not love your car. It's absolutely okay to hate it, especially if you're doing all you can to make sure it runs right and it still isn't doing anything that it is supposed to do. But I love my car and I'm so glad that I have been able to find the one I have because it fits me.