If you have lost your car recently to car theft you know that personal property is more than just an object. Maybe you commuted with your car into work, maybe you took your car out to the country on weekends, or maybe used your car to drop your kids off at soccer practice- however you used it, your car had become a part of your life and now that it has been stolen you feel the loss. It’s not quite right to say that having your car stolen is like losing an old friend, but it would not be a stretch to suggest that your car had probably become a part of your personality, and a symbol for you and your family.
Beyond the status and prestige that an automobile confers on its owner, as a former car-owner you are likely to miss the familiarity and the sense of security that you had when driving in your car. However you look at it, the automobile is an integral part of a car-owners livelihood, and now that yours has been stolen, you may be understandably in the dark about how to cope and move on. Follow these three general tips to help you deal with your very difficult situation.
First, make sure that you have done everything you can to notify the police authorities and secure the safety of your home and family. It is important to emphasize that the police will only be able to help you catch the criminal who stole your vehicle if you give them all of the pertinent information. It is understandable if you feel anxious about retelling your story, especially if you were in the vehicle at the time that it was being stolen, but it is vitally important that you muster the courage to go down to the precinct and file a thorough report. After you have given as much information as you can, bike home and make sure that your family is safe and secure. If the vehicle theft occurred near your home, ask a policeman to accompany you back to your house and secure the area.
Once you have set the groundwork, you can begin dealing with the loss of your automobile. A good place to start is with your own personal feelings. Perhaps you feel angry, or depressed, or frightened, or frantic- any combination of these feelings is perfectly natural and makes sense. You need not wonder whether or not you are entitled to feel upset. It would only make sense for you to be emotional after having such a familiar piece of your life stolen from you.
Lastly, you should begin the process of moving forward. It is important to recognize that you can’t run from your emotions, but it is equally important to understand that you do have some control over the way you feel. After a few days of allowing yourself to cool off, try to get back into the swing of things by participating in activities that you enjoy with people that you care about. If you can find the time, spend some quality time with your family in a relaxing setting to take your mind off of your automobile and back onto the things that matter.
While it is unlikely that you will ever recover your stolen automobile you can move past your misfortune by taking a positive and affirmative attitude towards yourself and your life. Don’t let a small tragedy drag into a big problem. Stay positive and you will be back on your feet in no time.
